Onkyo TX-RZ30 AV Receiver Review

[amirm]

@amirm, did you ever try the power tests w/the impedance switch at 4 ohm to compare against the "limp mode"?

4 ohm will force low power. As you see in my measurements, with a fresh AC cycle, you get full power in 4 ohm when the AVR is in "6 ohm or higher" mode.

4 ohm setting is specifically there to pass UL max temperature rating by limiting power.

 

[amirm]

What about web interface? There should be info about protected mode.

As I noted, the web interface is only there for automation/control. It shows you its name, IP address, etc. But nothing about operation of the unit. For that reason, it is also password protected.

 

[amirm]

30W is only under the low impedance load. In 8 ohms nominal, it performed and exceeded advertised power into 2CH.

If you are referring to my test, I freshly AC recycled it prior to 8 ohm measurement. I suspect it to limit power just as well as it has no knowledge of the output impedance. Maybe it can detect based on current but I doubt it. Regardless, your chances of having an 8 ohm speaker is less than 10% if not lower.

 

[delta76]

The only competition for the RZ30 is from its other PAC brethren (even the dropped Pioneer units). Competition for the 3800 is...again its own group (Denon and Marantz). They are such different animals power-wise and I honestly think the street prices reflect this.

Street price in EU has been quite similar, around 1000€ for x3800h, rz-30 and lx505. Which is why x3800h is the obvious choice.

 

[EWL5]

4 ohm will force low power. As you see in my measurements, with a fresh AC cycle, you get full power in 4 ohm when the AVR is in "6 ohm or higher" mode.

4 ohm setting is specifically there to pass UL max temperature rating by limiting power.

Understood. I was curious if the on purpose 4-ohm switch gave similar power suck as the unintended limp mode.

 

[amirm]

That's a good question. The answer would be academic but still good to know.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

The speaker terminals with the markings 'Surround Back' also include markings below the terminals for 'Height 2'.

I do not know but I assume these speaker terminals can be set to drive rear Atmos speakers.

They can.

 

[Ariasinger]

It's not broken, but it does nothing imaginative, exceptional, or refined enough to rate it any higher than "not terrible"

Thank you for the review!

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

What about web interface? There should be info about protected mode.
Edit: below example screenshot from my Pioneer, not a protection mode of RZ30.
View attachment 535891

I cannot find similar status on RZ 30

 

[Power Pop 23]

It's not broken, but it does nothing imaginative, exceptional, or refined enough to rate it any higher than "not terrible"

Thank you for the review!

It is broken as an AVR.

It measures as having mediocre performance as an AVP and comes with some useful features - that can currently be had at a relatively low price

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

It is broken as an AVR.

It measures as having mediocre performance as an AVP and comes with some useful features - that can currently be had at a relatively low price

Like what? Dirac included. 9 preouts. 2 independent sub outs. Limp mode will not initiate under normal conditions. I do wish it could be detected in the menu. I cannot tell difference from previous Anthem 520. With Atmos content and 4 recently installed overhead speakers simply no contest. Installation on first floor of 100 year old house with plaster ceilings wasn’t fun. Nothing available for $800 with these features.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

As I noted, the web interface is only there for automation/control. It shows you its name, IP address, etc. But nothing about operation of the unit. For that reason, it is also password protected.

What do you mean password protected? I’ve only had unit for a week.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Like what? Dirac included. 9 preouts. 2 independent sub outs. Limp mode will not initiate under normal conditions. I do wish it could be detected in the menu. I cannot tell difference from previous Anthem 520. With Atmos content and 4 recently installed overhead speakers simply no contest. Installation on first floor of 100 year old house with plaster ceilings wasn’t fun. Nothing available for $800 with these features.

I consider the performance acceptable as an AVP and a budget choice for most home theater scenarios.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

I consider the performance acceptable as an AVP and a budget choice for most home theater scenarios.

I could have purchased RZ70. Doubt if I’d have noticed difference. Small room and usually only 2 listening.

 

[amirm]

What do you mean password protected? I’ve only had unit for a week.

If you go to its IP address, it will put up a challenge, asking for user name and password. The default is admin/admin. It will then ask you to change the password. Once you do, you get a plain screen with a few bits of information.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

If you go to its IP address, it will put up a challenge, asking for user name and password. The default is admin/admin. It will then ask you to change the password. Once you do, you get a plain screen with a few bits of information.

That sounds like a challenge for my youngest son. I’ll see what he can do.

 

[amirm]

There is no reason to go there. As I noted, there is nothing useful there.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

I don’t understand why Onkyo and sister brands don’t respond to battering received from this site. Products are sold at discount compared to Denon because of ASR. The complaints are widely disseminated, especially after AI. Remedies are not difficult or expensive.

 

[totti1965]

Waste of money, waste of listening time. Thank you for your impeccable review. Steer clear of this product!

It seems as if Onkyo tried to deliberately make this item worse as it would have been, if they don’t make these engineering efforts to lower the all in all quality…

 

[Soulone]

There is no reason to go there. As I noted, there is nothing useful there.

In the RZ70 you can also access via ciuser / ciuser. That's the "advance mode" where you can change many settings.