Product Description

In these testing economic times, you can trust Onkyo to deliver maximum bang for your hard-earned buck. With the new HT-RC160, you have a multi-talented 7.2-channel receiver that offers the latest connecting, upscaling, and decoding technology on a bedrock of obsessively fine-tuned Onkyo amplification. Five HDMI 1.3a inputs enable clean, one-cable connection of multiple high-def sources, including Blu-ray Disc, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes. As well as handling native 1080p and upscaled 1080i video, HDMI 1.3a can also carry the HD audio of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD. The HT-RC160 even includes Dolby's latest technology, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, which adds "front height" channels to bring a spacious new vertical dimension to the sound stage. Along with intelligent Audyssey equalization and Faroudja deinterlacing technologies, the HT-RC160 gives you a ton of connectivity options, so you can incorporate HD Radio, iPod, and more.

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Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Onkyo
• Model: HT-RC160
• Dimensions: 6.94" h x 17.12" w x 12.94" l, 23.80 pounds

Features

• 80 watts per channel
• DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS-HD Express, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic IIz Decoding
• HDMI Version 1.3a to support Deep Color, x.v.Color, LipSync, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Multichannel PCM, and CEC
• Deinterlacer with Faroudja DCDi Edge (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) technology
• Powered zone 2 and zone 2 line-out for playback in another room (separate source)

From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer

Onkyo HT-RC160 7.2-Channel Receiver: Superb Versatility and Performance from an Affordable A/V Centerpiece

In these testing economic times, you can trust Onkyo to deliver maximum bang for your hard-earned buck. With the new HT-RC160, you have a multi-talented 7.2-channel receiver that offers the latest connecting, upscaling, and decoding technology on a bedrock of obsessively fine-tuned Onkyo amplification. Five HDMI 1.3a inputs enable clean, one-cable connection of multiple high-def sources, including Blu-ray Disc, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes. As well as handling native 1080p and upscaled 1080i video, HDMI 1.3a can also carry the HD audio of DTS-HD Master Audio™ and Dolby® TrueHD. The HT-RC160 even includes Dolby’s latest technology, Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz, which adds "front height" channels to bring a spacious new vertical dimension to the sound stage. Along with intelligent Audyssey equalization and Faroudja deinterlacing technologies, the HT-RC160 gives you a ton of connectivity options, so you can incorporate HD Radio™, iPod®, and more.

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Advanced Video and Audio Performance from Onkyo

How Does the HTRC160 Compare to Other Onkyo Receivers? The Onkyo HTRC160 is similar to the popular Onkyo TX-SR607 and has almost all of the same features. However, the HTRC160 trades a different styling on the volume knob, one less HDMI input, 10 fewer watts per channel, and lack of satellite radio support for a more affordable package and is perfect as an entry-level high-end receiver.

1080p Video and High-Def Surround Sound via HDMI 1.3a

Incorporating HDMI version 1.3a, along with advanced processing capabilities, the HT-RC160 makes for a powerful A/V control center. Up to five components can be connected via HDMI, including Blu-ray Disc players, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes. The HT-RC160 can receive and switch high-def media, such as HD broadcasts and Blu-ray Discs, and send a pure digital output to your HDTV. What’s more, all multichannel audio—from bit-for-bit streams to standard Dolby Digital—can be input via HDMI for processing on the HT-RC160. HDMI version 1.3a enables CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) and offers greater bandwidth to deal with higher resolutions, 36-bit Deep Color™, and high frame rates. HDMI version 1.3a supports Deep Color™, x.v.Color™, LipSync, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Multichannel PCM, and CEC.

The HT-RC160 yields a lot of connectivity for the price. View larger

HDMI™ Video Upscaling (to 1080i) and Faroudja DCDi Edge™ (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) Technology

The HT-RC160’s HDMI inputs can receive pristine digital video from HDMI-enabled components for a single-cable output to a display device with an HDMI or DVI connection. Native 1080p video is processed as it is, but lower-resolution signals from component video and composite video are upscaled to 1080i via HDMI. Upscaling takes the video resolution to HD quality, so it better matches the resolution of today’s high-definition displays. To further improve performance on high-definition displays, the HT-RC160 features a deinterlacing chip with Faroudja DCDi Edge technology, which effectively eliminates video artifacts.

Dolby Pro Logic IIz for a Spacious New Audio Dimension

Dolby Pro Logic IIz offers the proven quality of Dolby Pro Logic IIx and adds a new vertical dimension to your home theater sound stage. As with previous versions of Dolby Pro Logic, this latest version delivers a convincing surround-sound experience from any movie or music source—even a stereo one. On the HT-RC160, Dolby Pro Logic IIz enables you to incorporate two "front height" speakers into your surround-sound set-up as an alternative to the two surround back speakers. The front height channels carry ambient, non-directional audio that helps immerse you even more deeply into your movies and games. With Dolby Pro Logic IIz, rain seems to burst from clouds right above you, and helicopters fly realistically overhead.

A stylish, affordable, and powerful way to drive your perfect home theater

A Full Range of the Latest High-Definition Surround-Sound Codecs

The HT-RC160 handles Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio—two lossless decoding formats that enable delivery of a bit-for-bit soundtrack identical to the studio master track. Both codecs take advantage of the high data capacity of the Blu-ray Disc (BD) format. Another BD-related technology is DTS-HD Express, which provides access to secondary audio features. The HT-RC160 also handles two "lossy" audio formats: Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio™. Dolby Digital Plus is designed to accompany high-definition video delivered via disc media, broadcasts, and online content. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, meanwhile, offers a greater bit rate, a higher sampling rate, and more channels than the core DTS technology.

A Suite of Audyssey Technologies for the Ideal Listening Environment

The HT-RC160 has three Audyssey technologies to help create the most suitable listening environment for your home. Audyssey 2EQ™ for room acoustic correction tailors multichannel audio for your home theater by correcting problems both in frequency response and in the time domain (where most of the problems lie) for a clear, precise, and natural sound. Audyssey Dynamic Volume™ maintains the desired listening level for all content while optimizing the dynamic range. Audyssey Dynamic EQ™ for loudness correction solves the problem of deteriorating sound quality at lower volumes.

Universal Port for Single-Cable Connection of Optional Onkyo Dock for the iPod® or HD Radio™ Tuner

The HT-RC160 features a proprietary universal port, located on the rear side of the unit, to which you can connect Onkyo’s HD Radio Tuner or Dock for the iPod. The dock sends both video and audio signals through a single cable. Earlier versions of Onkyo’s Dock for the iPod can be connected via our Remote Interactive (RI) system.

Music Optimizer™ and Convenient Front-Panel Audio Input for Portable Devices

An audio input on the front panel of the HT-RC160 enables you to connect your iPod or other MP3 player directly to the system. The HT-RC160’s onboard Music Optimizer technology then works to enhance the quality of your compressed digital music files by compensating for bit information lost at higher frequencies.

Playback of Different Audio Sources in Two Different Zones

With Powered Zone 2 and a Zone 2 line-out, you can enjoy surround-sound entertainment in the main room while you play back a completely different stereo source in a second zone equipped with an amplifier or a pair of speakers.

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Customer Reviews

Lots of bang for the buck, great sound
I really, really like this unit. Installing it took some time, but the sound and video switching was well worth it. Instead of having a dozen different cables running to the HDTV, I only have one - the HDMI cable.

When you install it, set aside a few hours - this has nothing to do with this particular model - just that there are so many darn connections. I hooked up my BluRay player, DVD player, VCR and CD player, as well as nine speakers and two sub-woofers. Running the cables and positioning the speakers was the most time consuming. I had no reason to use the zone 2, so used the additional two speakers as upper fronts. I did not want to go out and spend a ton of money on speakers - I used what I had on hand. If you're like me, you have a collection of speakers that build up over the years. I used two tall Fishers for the front, a studio monitor for the center, a pair of low-power cheapies from an old stereo for the front uppers, a pair of old Sony's for the surround, and a pair of wall-mount for the rear uppers. They were a variety of 6 and 8 ohm pairs. The system handles the combinations just fine.

Looks: Classic Onkyo hi-tech, black and glossy.

Buttons: Minimal buttons - all functionality can be accessed via the front of the unit as well as the remote.

Connections: All you would ever need. Many are assignable.

Menu: You can use the minimal LED on the front of the unit, or the more interactive display on your TV. Since the unit acts as a video switch, it overlays information on the screen. Info on the Volume, video or audio source, etc.

Setup: Read the manual! Some menu features are counter-intuitive. For example, when setting up the speakers I had zone 2 active and set it to assign it to front uppers. The rear uppers were dead. Turns out that zone two had to be active, but not on, and I should not have assigned positions. Then all nine speakers worked. There are a lot of features hidden away in the manual that you would not discover by just looking at menu options. The Automated speaker configuration with the included microphone - Cool. Position the speakers where you want, plug in the mic, and go. The unit detects the mic being plugged in and automatically brings up the correct menu. The menu's take you through the process. With nine speakers and the two subs it took about 15 minutes. I kept erroring on center channel detection. It turns out that I had a blown tweeter - the auto configuration would not let me continue until I replaced the speaker. Apparently is could not detect the frequencies it expected. After I replaced the speaker, I had to re-run the test. The automatic setup is a three step process, and it stopped after step 1 when I had the bad speaker. After it was replaced, it went through all three steps.

I used the manual setup first just to confirm that I had all the speakers in the right place. A tone is sent to each speaker and the on-screen display shows the speaker location on the generic diagram (the diagram automatically changes depending on the speakers you have connected.)

Sound quality: Amazing - especially considering I have a hodge-podge of makes, models and quality.

Speakers: Supports 8 plus two subs. Will default to stereo or 5.1 - it detects what you have attached. The more speakers you have attached, the better the experience. However, if you have less than the maximum number of speakers, there are plenty of options to enhance the sound, virtually change speaker position, and more! So even if you have only two speakers, this is still a great unit - it's worth it for the video switching alone! The sub-woofer outs are unpowered, like most sub outputs are today. You really don't need two subs unless you really, really want to crack your plaster.

Build: Weighs a ton - lots of copper and a huge heat-sink. Runs hot, but considering the total output, that's to be expected. Install in a cabinet or shelf with plenty of air circulation.

I never even considered the fact that I would dump all those cables running to the TV - Instead of HDMI's, three different video's, plus audio, I now have a single HDMI and an audio out (I'm running the TV audio out to the Onkyo,) plus cable and power. Four wires instead of dozens. A lot cleaner.

In summary - I've not seen a better value for the money. Enough inputs for 99% of the population. Easy setup, lots of interactive tools and on-screen help. Great sound, lots of power, modern styling.

Great receiver
I bought the Onkyo HT-RC 160 to replace a Yamaha that I liked very much but did not have HDMI inputs. This receivers 5 HDMI inputs should handle most applications and switches flawlessly between the various inputs. I chose the Onkyo primarily because the current Yamaha remotes are ridiculous - who can really navigate that many tiny buttons? I love that I could re-name the various inputs both on the receiver and on screen; now if only one could re-name the remote labels. One thing I don't like is that after selecting an input, you have to search for the receiver to control it including, turning it off. The receiver button should be in a prominent location. So should the mute button. Another problem is connecting speaker wires to the extremely closely spaced terminals. (Yes, banana plugs would take care of that, but I have not had success connecting the plugs to the speaker wires. Another minor problem occurred with the excellent speaker setup. I have an old surround sound setup. As such, I have two speakers mounted on the wall above the front main speakers, but no speakers on the side wall, and speakers on the back wall. The Onkyo set up did not recognize this until I reconnected the front wall speakers to the side surround terminals. Then the setup was very easy and produced great sound from my mix of speakers. Overall, I am very pleased with the Onkyo HT-RC 160.

True Audio!
I already own the Onkyo TX-SR606 Home Theater receiver so I was thrilled to be able to review this one. Audio buffs will already know how impressive the TX-SR606 is but how does the HT-RC160 rate? Well to me this is a better receiver. I was certainly more impressed with the video switching. I have always had an issue with the TX-SR606 because it seems to have stability problems when switching video but there are no problems with the HT-RC160. The sound on both is very similar and this is compatible with all the modern formats such as DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD. The beautiful thing about Onyko is that they make true receivers and they don't make glitzy gimmicky ones. Yes this is a home theater receiver so it needs more buttons than a standard receiver/amplifier but Onyko still stay true to the foundation of all quality home audio. An audio buff friend of mine once said to me 'a good receiver should only need a volume control'. Of course this one needs more than that because it is designed for home theater but it isn't over the top.

Connecting this receiver up wasn't a difficult task for me because the connections are similar to the TX-SR606 but I would say you should put some time aside. Similar to another reviewer, I found that this receiver will run any speakers. I have different make speakers in each area but this receiver matched everything up. As far as video, you wire everything to run through the HDMI output. So connect all your gadgets into the necessary inputs and this will switch it. This receiver has 5 HDMI inputs which is more than enough for any modern equipment such as a Blu-Ray player, X-Box 360, Playstation 3 etc. The only thing you really have to do is match up everything up once it is fully connected which you can do via the on-screen set up.

Overall I love this receiver, the sound quality is excellent and the video switching is flawless. I can't fault it in any area and if you want to go with a company who build true audio then you can't go wrong with Onyko.