Receiver
Features
Speaker System Features
Inputs and Outputs Notes
Receiver Features
WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier
Technology): This technology uses low-negative-feedback circuit topology for
accurate signal reproduction, improved dynamic signal-to-noise ratio, and better
delivery of power peaks.
192kHz/24-Bit
Digital-to-Analog Converters: The HT-R550 receiver is equipped with
192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels to decode and play high-resolution recordings.
Satellite Ready:
By connecting an optional antenna and tuner, you can easily add XM or Sirius
Satellite Radio to the receiver. Adding XM Satellite Radio requires the XM antenna (item number 220CNP2H) and
XM Mini-Tuner (item number 220CNP2000) designed for XM ready home
receivers. A 50' extension cable is available (item number 220CNPEX50) if the
antenna's cable (approximately 20') is not long enough. Adding Sirius Satellite
Radio requires either the Sirius Connect Home Tuner (item number 607SCH1), which
includes the tuner and an indoor/outdoor antenna, or the Sirius Connect Home
Tuner Pro Kit (item number 607SCH1P1), which includes the tuner and an outdoor
antenna. Both satellite providers offer a wide range of music, news, sports, comedy, talk, and entertainment
channels to choose from--all in digital quality. During satellite playback, you can display the
channel name, channel number and preset number, category, artist name, or song title on the front
panel.
Note: A subscription is required in order to receive
either satellite
radio service.
iPod Compatible: The DS-A2 Remote
Interactive Dock for iPod (item number 580DSA2) provide an interface
between an iPod digital media player and Onkyo receiver. Once the iPod is docked
you can control basic functions such as volume control, play, stop, and skip via
the Onkyo system's RI-compatible wireless remote control. The dock also charges
the battery in the iPod, and allows you to view digital photos and video on an
Onkyo home theater system.
Adjustable Crossover:
This receiver has a built-in crossover for the subwoofer output. This setting is
also used for any other speakers set to Small. The frequencies that you can choose
from are 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, and 200 Hz.
Double Bass: With the double
bass feature you can boost the bass output by feeding the low frequency signals
from the left and right channels (when front speakers set to large) to both the
front speakers and to the subwoofer.
Assignable Digital Inputs: The
HT-R550 has 4 assignable digital inputs (2 optical, 2 coaxial) allowing you to
tell the unit which input source is connected to which digital input jack.
Multi-channel Input:
Although this unit features built-in Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and DTS
processing, it also has a 7.1 multi-channel analog input for use with external
multi-channel decoders (DVD-Audio, SACD, etc).
Audio Sync:
Occasionally the audio and video signals are not properly synchronized,
typically when using a progressive scanning DVD player. You can correct this by
delaying the audio; options are 0 (no delay) to 100 milliseconds, in 20
millisecond steps.
B Speaker Outputs: The B speaker outputs
can be used to power speakers in a different room, creating a second zone. When
the B speakers are turned on, the amplifier for the surround back speakers is
used to power them, so the connected surround back speakers are disabled and the
main room becomes a 5.1 channel system. The B speakers can only play sources
connected using analog cables.
Speaker Levels: Along with
adjustments for the front, center, surround and surround back speaker levels,
the B channel (2nd front) outputs can be adjusted from -12dB to +12dB relative
to the A channels. This essentially gives you independent volume control for the
A and B speaker outputs.
Listening Modes: This
receiver incorporates a wide variety of listening modes to bring you maximum
enjoyment from your audio and video software. The listening modes include:
- Surround Modes:
- Dolby Digital
- Dolby Digital EX
- Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Movie, Music, and
Game)
- Dolby Pro Logic II (Movie, Music, and
Game)
- Dolby Digital + Pro Logic IIx (Movie and
Music)
- Dolby Digital + Neo:6
- DTS
- DTS-ES (Discrete and Matrix)
- DTS 96/24
- DTS Neo:6 (Cinema and Music)
- DTS + Dolby EX
- DTS + Pro Logic IIx (Movie and Music)
- DTS + Neo:6
- Neural Surround
- Theater-Dimensional
- DSP Modes:
- Mono Movie
- Orchestra
- Unplugged
- Studio-Mix
- TV Logic
- All Channel Stereo
- Full Mono
Direct Mode: This mode delivers
pure sound with minimal sound quality adjustment and filtration. The sound
recorded for the right and left front channels is output to the right and left
front speakers and subwoofer only, not to the center or surround speakers.
CinemaFILTER
Circuitry: This circuitry provides a subtle
high-frequency roll off for proper playback of soundtracks in the home. It provides the means to easily remove excess treble response from
soundtracks that were originally equalized to sound best in a large theater.
This function works with all the Dolby Digital and DTS modes, plus the Dolby Pro
Logic II and IIx movie modes.
Late Night: The Late
Night feature limits the dynamic range of Dolby Digital recordings making it easier
to find a volume that ensures the quiet sounds are not too quiet
and the loud sounds are not too loud for night time listening. The settings are:
Off, Low, and High.
Note: This feature only
works with Dolby Digital Encoded software and the amount of effect
will vary based on the individual soundtrack.
Auto Setup:
The receiver is equipped with an Auto Setup and Room Equalization function, to
achieve the best sound field for your specific room. The Audyssey 2EQ/HTIB
function is designed to optimize the sound quality across three listening
positions in the room. The included microphone is used to measure test tones at
each listening position, the measured data is then analyzed using a program to
improve acoustic characteristics in the listening area (correct the room's
acoustic shortcomings). The main position is
given more weight in the calculations. The Audyssey function makes adjustments
based on the
following measurements automatically: Speaker Configuration (5.1, 7.1, etc),
Delay (to account for the variations in distance from speakers to listening
position), Channel Level, Crossover Frequency, and Room EQ.
Equalizer:
The EQ function offers three options:
- Off: flat response
- Audyssey: adjusts the
frequency response of all speakers to correct the effects of room acoustics,
based on measurements taken using the included microphone
- Manual:
the five band equalizer can be
adjusted independently for each set of speakers (front, center, surround,
and surround back), the EQ bands are centered at 80, 250, 800, 2500, and
8000 Hz, they are adjustable from -6 to +6 dB (sub EQ bands are centered at
40, 80, and 160 Hz)
Dolby Pro Logic II & IIx Music Modes: While
listening in the Dolby Pro Logic II or IIx Music format, there are three further
enhancements you can enjoy (available with 2 channel sources only):
- Panorama: broadens the front stereo image to the surround speakers to provide a
wraparound effect, especially effective when there is limited
output from the surround channels, panorama can be turned on/off in the
menu
- Dimension: allows you to move the sound field forward or backward
- Center Width: allows you to
adjust the width of the center channel
Center Image: In
the DTS Neo:6 Music mode, the Center Image feature adjusts the output of the left
and right channels relative to the center channel, allowing you to make the
center channel more or less dominant as needed. This improves the image of the
center channel, especially when the listener is off-center. Adjustment varies
from 5 (nothing subtracted from the L/R channels) to 0 (L/R channel output is
cut in half).
Neural Surround: Neural Surround has been
adopted by XM Satellite Radio for digital radio broadcasts of XM HD Surround
recordings and live events in surround sound. Neural Surround employs
psychoacoustic frequency domain processing which allows delivery of a more
detailed sound stage with superior channel separation and localization of audio
elements. Playback is selectable between 5.1 and 7.1 channels.
Sleep Timer: From
the remote, you can set the unit to automatically turn off after a preset amount
of time. The sleep timer can be adjusted from 10 minutes to 90 minutes in
10-minute increments.
Direct Change:
When playback is started on a component connected via the Remote Interactive
(RI) jack, the receiver automatically selects that component as the input
source.
Input Display: The name
displayed for most inputs is fixed (DVD, VCR/DVR, etc), but the Tape and CBL/SAT input
displays can be
changed. Tape can be changed to MD, CDR, or Dock and CBL/SAT can be changed to Dock.
These settings also effect the Remote Interactive (wired remote) codes output to
other connected components.
Note:
Only one of the input labels can be changed to Dock.
Display Dimmer: The
display illumination has three brightness level settings.
Wireless Remote:
The RC-681M remote is programmed to operate this unit and other Onkyo
equipment. The remote also includes the codes to control other brand DVD players
and recorders, CD players and recorders, MD recorders, TVs, VCRs, Satellite and
cable boxes, PVRs (Personal Video Recorders), TV/DVD combos, TV/VCR combos,
Satellite/PVR combos, and cable box/PVR combos.
Speaker Outputs:
The speaker terminals for the front (A), center, surround, and surround back
speakers are binding posts. A
plastic collar prevents using spade terminals, but bare wire, pin connecters,
banana plugs and dual banana plugs will work. The B channel outputs are spring
terminals.
Speaker System Features
Powered
Subwoofer: The 230 watt powered subwoofer features a 10" down-firing woofer in a
bass reflex enclosure. The subwoofer has a single RCA line input for use with the
supplied cable. The subwoofer automatically turns on when an input signal is
received, and returns to standby mode when no signal has been input for about 5
minutes. An LED indicator on the front panel glows red when in standby mode and
green when in operation. The volume control is on the rear panel. The sub's
frequency response is 25 Hz to 150 Hz.
Front Speakers:
The front speakers each use a 1" balanced dome tweeter and two 5"
cone woofers in a bass reflex enclosure.
Each speaker has a set of
spring clip terminals for use with the supplied speaker wire. Each enclosure has
a removable black cloth grille. A keyhole slot on the back of each enclosure
allows you to wall-mount the speakers without any wall brackets. The speakers'
frequency response is 60 Hz to 50 kHz, sensitivity is 87.5 dB (1 watt/1
meter), the crossover point is 4.5 kHz, and they are magnetically shielded.
Center
Channel Speaker: The matching center channel speaker
features the same 1"
balanced dome tweeter and two 5"
cone woofers in a bass reflex enclosure.
It has a set of spring clip
terminals for use with the supplied speaker wire. The enclosure has a
removable black cloth grille. Two keyhole slots on the back of each enclosure
allows you to wall-mount the speakers (horizontally) without any wall brackets. The speaker's sensitivity is 87.5 dB (1 watt/1
meter), its' crossover point is 4.5 kHz, and it is magnetically shielded.
Surround
and Surround Back Speakers:
The surround and surround back speakers each use a 3-1/4" full range
cone driver in a sealed enclosure. Each speaker has a set of
spring clip terminals for use with the supplied speaker wire. Each enclosure is
covered by a non-removable, black cloth grille. A keyhole slot on the back of each enclosure allows you to wall-mount the
speakers without any wall brackets. The speakers' frequency response is 160 Hz
to 20 kHz and sensitivity is 82 dB (1 watt/1
meter).
Speaker Wiring: Color-coded
speaker wire is provided for all 7 satellite speakers. Standard speaker wire can be
substituted if longer lengths or thicker gauge speaker wire is desired.
Inputs and Outputs Notes
XM: This proprietary terminal
allows you to connect an optional XM Mini Tuner and Mini Tuner Home Dock.
HDMI Inputs/Output: This unit
has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI monitor output. The HDMI inputs are assignable to
different input sources. The monitor output sends the HDMI signal to your
display just as it's received (pass-through), but the receiver cannot decode the
audio signal via the HDMI input so a separate optical digital, coaxial digital,
or analog stereo cable must also be used. The HDMI version is 1.3 and will pass
a 1080p signal.
Component Video Inputs/Output: This unit
has 3 component video inputs and 1 component video monitor output. The component
video inputs/output band width is 5 Hz to 50 MHz, so they will accommodate an
HDTV signal.
Multi-Channel
Input: A 7.1-channel
analog input accommodates present and future multi-channel formats.
Headphone Output: The receiver
has a standard 1/4" headphone jack on the front panel. The speaker outputs
are muted when headphones are plugged into the Phones jack. When you
connect a pair of headphones, the listening mode automatically switches to
Stereo, unless it's already set to Mono, Stereo, or Direct. When you disconnect
the headphones, the previous listening mode is selected. The headphone volume
for the left and right channels is adjustable (relative to one another) from -12
dB to +12 dB.
RI Remote Control Jack:
The 1/8" RI (Remote Interactive) remote control jack on the receiver allows you
to connect the receiver to other RI-remote capable Onkyo components.