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Onkyo TX-RZ50 Review (Home Theater AVR)

Rate this product:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 99 30.5%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 120 36.9%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 68 20.9%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 38 11.7%

  • Total voters
    325
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
Yes, the RZ50 is 7.1.4 where the RZ30 is 5.2.4 (or 7.2.2)
Thanks, even with that facts, the RZ30 is, in my opinion a better choice for someone will only needs 5.1 and may have plan to expand to 9.1. That's because of the so called .2 vs the RZ50's .1. The RZ30 may have the lower spec DAC but even if it gets the PCM1690 or 5102A, it will still be good enough for people who don't have golden ears.;)

And, for someone like me who only want a preamp/dac for 2.2 stereo use, at the lowest price point (vs others), the RZ30 is as close as one can find, unless there exist a real 2.2 integrated amp or receiver but so far there is none, at least not within a $1,500 budget.

I don't know how Onko can do it at the $1,200 price point when D+M and Sony, who presumable have the advantage in terms of "economy of scale" cannot do, or at least have done it.:(
 
Thanks, even with that facts, the RZ30 is, in my opinion a better choice for someone will only needs 5.1 and may have plan to expand to 9.1. That's because of the so called .2 vs the RZ50's .1. The RZ30 may have the lower spec DAC but even if it gets the PCM1690 or 5102A, it will still be good enough for people who don't have golden ears.;)

And, for someone like me who only want a preamp/dac for 2.2 stereo use, at the lowest price point (vs others), the RZ30 is as close as one can find, unless there exist a real 2.2 integrated amp or receiver but so far there is none, at least not within a $1,500 budget.

I don't know how Onko can do it at the $1,200 price point when D+M and Sony, who presumable have the advantage in terms of "economy of scale" cannot do, or at least have done it.:(
An industry insider on AVS mentioned that the RZ30 gets the better HDMI board from the RZ70 (and not the one from the RZ50). Looks like the list of improvements keeps growing for the RZ30!
 
I don't know how Onko can do it at the $1,200 price point when D+M and Sony, who presumable have the advantage in terms of "economy of scale" cannot do, or at least have done it.:(
I think Onkyo’s bankruptcy (and Pioneer Electronics) history in the context of Klipsch which is able to offer something like the Klipschorn which is one of the speakers that has been in continuous production the longest days a lot.

1) They are trying to rebuild the brand reputation after its bankruptcy
2) They understand consumer preferences and markets. By measurements, the classic Klipsch speakers should be avoided. By practice, Klipsch offers modern DSP speakers which measure great, even with a slight house tube but also has found a “fixed seasoning” sound that people like.
 
I don't know how Onko can do it at the $1,200 price point when D+M and Sony, who presumable have the advantage in terms of "economy of scale" cannot do, or at least have done it.:(
With current prices of both Z30 and X3800h + Dirac Live, they only differ a few €. I'm not so sure the Z30 is still the better deal here.
 
With current prices of both Z30 and X3800h + Dirac Live, they only differ a few €. I'm not so sure the Z30 is still the better deal here.
But you are comparing the RZ30's list price to the X3800H's sales price right? At the moment I would still go with the X3800H but only at the best street price level (such as Black Friday's, I guess).
 
But you are comparing the RZ30's list price to the X3800H's sales price right?
No, I'm looking at the cheapest prices I can buy either AVR for in my area.
 
No, I'm looking at the cheapest prices I can buy either AVR for in my area.
Yeah but the RZ30 is so new, it's unlikely to be heavily discounted, where the X3800H can often be found under $1000.
 
X3800H can often be found under $1000.
Plus $300 for Dirac w/o the bass management so RZ50 with the power overload fixed for $8-900 w/Dirac is a steal if one one has modest setup w/one sub. What am I missing about the RZ30?
 
I am 90% sure the X3900H will have the ES2017 like the X6800H and Cinema 30 do. If that happens I should be able to get the 3800 for < C$1,500.. Been wrong before, but based on D+M past practice, I would lijely be right this time.
 
Plus $300 for Dirac w/o the bass management so RZ50 with the power overload fixed for $8-900 w/Dirac is a steal if one one has modest setup w/one sub. What am I missing about the RZ30?
The RZ30 has an additional independent subwoofer output (for a 9.2 system) and reportedly a better HDMI board with full 40 Gbps ports (a la RZ70).
 
I am 90% sure the X3900H will have the ES2017 like the X6800H and Cinema 30 do. If that happens I should be able to get the 3800 for < C$1,500.. Been wrong before, but based on D+M past practice, I would lijely be right this time.
PAC has actually re-introduced AKM DACs into some of their newest products, so we may see other manufacturers diversify away from ESS as well.
 
The RZ30 has an additional independent subwoofer output (for a 9.2 system) and reportedly a better HDMI board with full 40 Gbps ports (a la RZ70).
Thanks, Onkyo has been plagued with HDMI problems in the past. Thankfully mine has hung in there but will upgrade soon.
 
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