Onkyo TX-RZ50
Pros
- Great Sounding, Particularly for Home Theater
- Tons of Connectivity
- Has Nearly Every Feature Built-in
- Dirac Calibration Allows You To Customize the Sound to Your Liking
Cons
- Dirac Calibration Could be Intimidating For Some
- Could Use More Finesse
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 is a high-performance 9.2-channel AV receiver (although it can process 11 channels with an assist from an additional amplifier) that boasts an impressive amplifier section. With a power output of 120 watts per channel, it has plenty of power to fill a large room with sound. The amplifier is also built with Onkyo’s proprietary Dynamic Audio Amplification technology, which is designed to deliver high-quality sound with minimal distortion.
The TX-RZ50 has a high-current power supply, which helps to ensure that the amplifier has a steady and consistent flow of power. This helps to reduce distortion and noise, and ensures that the sound is always clear and crisp.
Additionally, the RZ50 has a feature called WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology), which helps to improve the overall sound quality of the amplifier. This feature includes a low negative-feedback design, a high instantaneous current capability, and a high slew rate. All of these features work together to ensure that the sound is always accurate and dynamic.
Along with the above, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 is also THX Certified Select, which means it has passed rigorous testing to ensure it meets THX’s high standards for sound quality, power and distortion.
Onkyo TX-RZ50 Connectivity
I’ll start by saying that the RX50 gives you a vast array of connection choices. Firstly, it has 7 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, which means you can connect all your devices, such as your cable box, gaming console, Blu-ray player and more, without having to constantly switch cables around. Its HDMIs support both 4K video and 8K video as well as multi-zone. So you can watch video in the main room and a 2nd video in a separate room.
In addition to HDMI, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 has a huge smattering of analog, component, and digital inputs. In fact, it has more than enough to connect all of your gear.
Read Our Review of the Marantz SR5015
As you would expect at this price point, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, which allows you to stream music wirelessly from your phone, tablet or computer. This means you can play music from your favorite streaming service without having to physically connect your device to the receiver. Additionally, you can control it with your voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This allows you to adjust the volume, change the input and more, all with your voice. Bluetooth on the amp is bi-directional meaning it can both send and receive a Bluetooth signal.
In addition to WiFi and Bluetooth, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 also has an old school Ethernet port, which allows you to connect it to your home network. This allows you to stream music from your network-attached storage device, or from other devices on your network. It also allows for firmware updates to be done over the network.
Lastly, the Onkyo TX-RZ50 also has a phono input, which allows you to connect a turntable and enjoy your vinyl collection.
RZ50 Setup
Onkyo has dumped Audyssey to calibrate the RZ50 in favor of the Dirac Live calibration system. It’s easy to see why too. Dirac’s system allows you to truly fine-tune your listening experience, but be prepared. Calibration can easily go from a few minutes to an hour or two depending on how in-depth you want to get into the calibration process. Dirac Live Room Correction adjusts both the frequency response and impulse response in the time domain, and offers customizable target curves. If you’re an audiophile, you will love this feature, but it could also be intimidating for some.
Onkyo TX-RZ50 Performance
When it comes to the audio quality of the Onkyo TX-RZ50, the amp is impressive. This AV receiver delivers a truly immersive and realistic sound experiencece.
Let’s start with music. When I first fired up this receiver and put on a playlist, I was immediately struck by how rich and detailed the sound was. The 120 watts per channel of power ensure that the sound is loud enough to fill a large room, and the amplifier’s Dynamic Audio Amplification technology helps to reduce distortion and noise for a clear, crisp sound. I put on “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and was blown away by the depth and dynamics of the sound. The guitar solos in that song were particularly impressive, with each note coming through crystal clear.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 also has a feature called Music Optimizer, which helps to improve the sound quality of compressed audio files, like MP3s. This feature helps to restore the high-frequency information that is lost during the compression process, resulting in a more natural and lifelike sound. I put on “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin and was impressed by how lifelike it sounded.
If I have one complaint about the RZ50, it would be that it could utilize more finesse. Personally, I enjoy its in-your-face sound, but when you compare it to the Marantz SR5015, the 5015’s sound is a little more nuanced.
The Onkyo TX-RZ50 is a powerhouse when it comes to delivering top-notch audio quality for movies as well. This AV receiver is specifically designed to provide an immersive and realistic audio experience that will make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.
One of the most impressive features of the Onkyo TX-RZ50 is its support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the latest surround sound formats. These formats allow for a more immersive audio experience, with sound that comes at you from all around the room. Watching “The Dark Knight” on the RZ50 was a great experience. The sound of the bat-pod racing through the streets and the roar of the bat-signal were shockingly realistic.
But it’s not just action movies that benefit from the Onkyo TX-RZ50’s advanced surround sound technology. Even more dialogue-driven movies like “The Shawshank Redemption” sounded fantastic. The prison scenes were particularly impressive, with the sound of the prison gates clanking shut and the chatter of the inmates coming through loud and clear.
Conclusion
To be honest, I’m a bass head and this Onkyo TX-RZ50 is perfect for me. It sounds amazing in a home theater environment. It also has more connectivity options than I know what to do with. That being said there is a slight trade-off. If you compare the RZ50 to Marantz, it doesn’t quite have the same level of refinement, but boy is this amp fun!
