Onkyo TX-RZ50 Review (Home Theater AVR)

[silverstreak_2006]

The RZ30 has no need for firmware update as it's 2024 tech vs 2021 tech (RZ50, 7100, etc)!

It only just came out this month!

Sorry, my point being that the RZ-30 already has the feature set that the new firmware gives to the RZ-50, including the PSU sequence improvement.

 

[EWL5]

Sorry, my point being that the RZ-30 already has the feature set that the new firmware gives to the RZ-50, including the PSU sequence improvement.

It remains to be seen whether the new RZ50/7100 firmware really does address the limp mode. If it stays, I would imagine it's a corporate decision and would be on the RZ30 as well!

 

[peng]

True. Andrew Robinson already declared it the best all around AVR but he's just marketing what's new!
If the new RZ50 firmware update is everything we think it is, it's a better AVR than the RZ30 and street price is hundreds cheaper!

I watch his only for entertainment, and always ignore his opinion on "sound quality" comparison. I value such subjective measurements very little especially his, versus someone like John of Ripwaveaudio, who at least usually give his opinion but never over the top kind. That's obvious just me, the fact that AR gets so many units for reviews means he is very talented in doing what he's doing and is probably one of the most (if not the defacto) most popular reviewer(s).

 

[silverstreak_2006]

It remains to be seen whether the new RZ50/7100 firmware really does address the limp mode. If it stays, I would imagine it's a corporate decision and would be on the RZ30 as well!

They can't iterate what it does for compliance purposes. Be interested if anybody in the real world would notice.

 

[EWL5]

Be interested if anybody in the real world would notice.

I'll be addressing this in a separate thread shortly...

 

[ban25]

True. Andrew Robinson already declared it the best all around AVR but he's just marketing what's new!
If the new RZ50 firmware update is everything we think it is, it's a better AVR than the RZ30 and street price is hundreds cheaper!

To be fair, the RZ30 has dual independent subwoofer outputs whereas the RZ50 does not.

 

[peng]

To be fair, the RZ30 has dual independent subwoofer outputs whereas the RZ50 does not.

Am I right that the RZ30 can process only 9 main channels whereas the 50 can do 7.1.4 (11 channels)?

 

[EWL5]

To be fair, the RZ30 has dual independent subwoofer outputs whereas the RZ50 does not.

Yes, that's about the only advantage. Is it worth hundreds more while not supporting more than 2 independent subs?

I could make the argument that the RZ30 answered the question that no one asked!

 

[EWL5]

Am I right that the RZ30 can process only 9 main channels whereas the 50 can do 7.1.4 (11 channels)?

Correct but the RZ50 requires 2 external amps to process 11 (internal amps only for 9).

 

[ban25]

Yes, that's about the only advantage. Is it worth hundreds more while not supporting more than 2 independent subs?

I could make the argument that the RZ30 answered the question that no one asked!

These prices are fairly fluid. Let's see what it will cost on Black Friday.

 

[ban25]

Am I right that the RZ30 can process only 9 main channels whereas the 50 can do 7.1.4 (11 channels)?

Yes. If you want an 11.1 system, then the RZ50 is the better option. If you only need a 9 channel system, then might as well take the 30 and get an extra subwoofer output.

 

[Vlaitor]

Morning,
First time I ever post something after lurking here for years.
I bought my RZ50 back in November 2022.

It did the "clicking" issue 3 times in the first month of use.
I didn't seem to find a "pattern", using it in pure direct or normal mode in a 2.1 system with my Aperions (6 ohms). I could crank the volume (95-100db) and it would work just fine but sometimes it would do this clicking after 15 minutes of play in a very relax mood (60-70db).

HOWEVER, since January 2023 I had no issue whatsoever.
My RZ50 resides now in my living room feeding 3 Aperions speakers, 2 Monitor Audio Bronze and an SVS SB2000.

Perfect operational status so far. No clicking, no reboots, nothing. Very reliable and giving me at least 1 hour of content everyday.

New measurements would be interesting. Or maybe there is a sampling rate.

Very, very happy with my RZ50. For the price it's a monster.

 

[EWL5]

Morning,
First time I ever post something after lurking here for years.
I bought my RZ50 back in November 2022.

It did the "clicking" issue 3 times in the first month of use.
I didn't seem to find a "pattern", using it in pure direct or normal mode in a 2.1 system with my Aperions (6 ohms). I could crank the volume (95-100db) and it would work just fine but sometimes it would do this clicking after 15 minutes of play in a very relax mood (60-70db).

HOWEVER, since January 2023 I had no issue whatsoever.
My RZ50 resides now in my living room feeding 3 Aperions speakers, 2 Monitor Audio Bronze and an SVS SB2000.

Perfect operational status so far. No clicking, no reboots, nothing. Very reliable and giving me at least 1 hour of content everyday.

New measurements would be interesting. Or maybe there is a sampling rate.

Very, very happy with my RZ50. For the price it's a monster.

Assuming you updated to the latest firmware, any oddities or business as usual? Also, do you use Dirac or AccuEQ at all?

 

[Vlaitor]

Assuming you updated to the latest firmware, any oddities or business as usual? Also, do you use Dirac or AccuEQ at all?

Yes, my RZ50 is up to date with the latest firmware.

I only have 1 weird behavior and it's with my PS5. It switches to the TV input rather than the HDMI5 for some reasons when I boot it up. All my other consoles and my Bluray player behave normally.

Yes! I did try DIRAC but am not so sure about the results. The simple fact is I suspect the microphone to be sub par to really make a good analysis of the frequencies.

Didn't try AccuEQ.

I wish Pure Direct allowed for Subwoofer output but alas.

 

[Sammy135]

My unit clicks all the time.

I'm also running very difficult speakers, impedance wise, and difficult speaker sensitive speakers as well.

Martin logan efx for L and R, impedance drops to 2 ohm.

6 Monoprice satellite coaxial for side and rear surround, and 2 for atmos. These are like 80db sensitive.

I sit like 8 feet away from my TV.

As i added the satellites, I definitely felt amp compression kick in. My old volume setpoint of -25dB became more like -8db.

So my dynamic Range is lowered by a lot, and probably clips when explosions occur, but im getting an external amp soon. But before the satellites, when it was just the electrostats left and right, it drove those 2ohm dropping speakers fine.

 

[ban25]

Yes, my RZ50 is up to date with the latest firmware.

I only have 1 weird behavior and it's with my PS5. It switches to the TV input rather than the HDMI5 for some reasons when I boot it up. All my other consoles and my Bluray player behave normally.

Yes! I did try DIRAC but am not so sure about the results. The simple fact is I suspect the microphone to be sub par to really make a good analysis of the frequencies.

Didn't try AccuEQ.

I wish Pure Direct allowed for Subwoofer output but alas.

On my PS5, sometimes I have to press the PS button on the controller twice to get it to switch inputs (once to turn it on, once again to get it to switch). Usually this is the case if I'm already on some other input, like the NVIDIA Shield or Xbox.

If you're inclined to try Dirac again, it may be worth investing in a UMIK-1 and tri-pod with boom mount.

 

[paulgyro]

Latest Firmware which gives DIRAC Bass control support amongst other fixes / addon, states in the Firmware Update notes at "Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence". I wonder if this is the fix for benchmarking a 4R load under the 6R setting, mainly relying on temperature control as opposed to current sensing so heavily, at least over two channels? Be interesting to see if this holds the rail for longer under such conditions as Amir was testing.

Released: 10/28/2024
1. Dirac Live Bass Control To use Dirac Live Bass Control, you need to register with Dirac Live and obtain a Dirac Live Bass Control license. https://www.dirac.com/online-store/onkyo-tx-rz50/
2. Addition of Amazon Music HD
3. Dolby Atmos Music Playback Capability for Amazon Music HD and Tidal Native Playback
4. Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI2.1a
5. Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence
6. Google Cast2.0 The method for network connection will be changed. For details, please refer here. https://assets.onkyo-av.com/product-manuals/supple_cast20_onk.pdf
7. Support Tidal MAX
8. Improve the Dirac Live measurement on the Onkyo Application.
9. Minor bug fixes and improvements stability.

Dirac Live Bass control (though perhaps not as I do not believe the subs are independent) and Dolby Atmos support through Amazon music HD is significant in my view.

 

[EWL5]

My unit clicks all the time.

I'm also running very difficult speakers, impedance wise, and difficult speaker sensitive speakers as well.

Martin logan efx for L and R, impedance drops to 2 ohm.

6 Monoprice satellite coaxial for side and rear surround, and 2 for atmos. These are like 80db sensitive.

I sit like 8 feet away from my TV.

As i added the satellites, I definitely felt amp compression kick in. My old volume setpoint of -25dB became more like -8db.

So my dynamic Range is lowered by a lot, and probably clips when explosions occur, but im getting an external amp soon. But before the satellites, when it was just the electrostats left and right, it drove those 2ohm dropping speakers fine.

Hold off on getting the external amp until you have downloaded the firmware updated that came out yesterday. There is one update in the change log that appears to imply they may have fixed the "limp mode" that Amir found:

"5. Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence"

We need more folks to report back if this update fixed the "limp mode"! Most folks on AVS are saying the update doesn't really take unless you do a Factory Reset!

 

[silverstreak_2006]

OK, so initial impressions so far, it would appear to switch HVOL and LVOL (6ohm and 4ohm) rails between -29dB and-22dB at least in PCM mode. I did play a film briefly and that seemed to keep it switched up but wanted to play further. so far Spotify connect is a bit slow when selecting tracks, and as a result will attempt and jump to the next track.

Like a few others on another forum, I think I may need to do a factory rest to iron some of these issues out. Airplay appeared to work, and had no joy with Bluetooth. I will concur and see what else I can dig out with this update.

Note it took about 15 mins with a decent download speed.

 

[dlaloum]

Am I right that the RZ30 can process only 9 main channels whereas the 50 can do 7.1.4 (11 channels)?

Yes, the RZ50 is 7.1.4 where the RZ30 is 5.2.4 (or 7.2.2)