Onkyo TX-RZ30 9.2-Channel AV Receiver: In-Depth Review

The Onkyo TX-RZ30 9.2-Channel AV Receiver is designed to elevate the home theater experience with cutting-edge audio technology and impressive connectivity options. Whether you are building a dedicated home theater or upgrading an existing system, the TX-RZ30 is designed to meet high expectations with its robust performance and thoughtful features. In this review, we will explore its key features, performance, customer feedback, and the pros and cons to provide a comprehensive overview.

Key Features and Specifications

The Onkyo TX-RZ30 9.2-Channel AV Receiver is a powerhouse in terms of both audio output and connectivity options. Below are some of the standout features and specifications:

Audio Performance:

• RZ Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Amplifier: The TX-RZ30 features a custom-built low-noise power transformer and smoothing capacitors that produce rich lows as deep as 5 Hz and crisp highs that extend up to 100 kHz. This expansive audio range provides a truly dynamic and immersive experience that stands apart from many other competitors.

Room Calibration:

• Dirac Live Room Correction: The TX-RZ30 comes with Dirac Live, a highly regarded room calibration technology, right out of the box. The system includes a full bandwidth license, ensuring that your audio is perfectly calibrated to your space. Optional upgrades for Single/Multi Bass Control are available, further enhancing the listening experience by improving bass accuracy and overall sound quality.

Video and Audio Enhancements:

• IMAX Enhanced: The TX-RZ30 is IMAX Enhanced, which means it is certified to deliver an optimized video and audio experience akin to what you’d expect in an IMAX theater. It supports object-based audio and vibrant visuals by optimizing brightness, contrast, and detail in every frame, ensuring an immersive and lifelike experience.
• Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision: The receiver supports Dolby Atmos, offering an immersive 3D sound experience. With object-based audio, sound can move freely in space, including overhead, to place you directly in the center of the action. Dolby Vision optimizes brightness, contrast, and color dynamically, enhancing the picture quality scene by scene, ensuring every detail is captured with incredible accuracy.

Connectivity:

• 9.2-Channel Audio: The Onkyo TX-RZ30 offers 9.2 channels, allowing you to create a fully immersive home theater system with multiple speakers for surround sound.
• Built-in Streaming and Sonos Compatibility: The receiver comes with built-in streaming apps, allowing you to seamlessly play digital content across all channels. Additionally, it works with Sonos, letting you distribute high-quality sound through your Sonos wireless network for a more flexible home audio setup.
• Klipsch Optimize Mode: Onkyo has partnered with Klipsch to offer an optimized crossover setting for specific Reference Premiere speakers, making it easier to integrate Klipsch’s renowned speakers into your setup for better sound quality.

Other Features:

• Power Output: 100 Watts per channel, ensuring sufficient power for even larger room setups.
• Multi-Source, Multi-Zone Playback: The receiver allows you to play different audio or video content in multiple rooms, making it ideal for larger homes.
• Full HDMI Support: Supports 4K/120Hz, 8K/60Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and eARC for the best video quality.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the Onkyo TX-RZ30 delivers an exceptional experience, with both audio and video quality exceeding expectations. The combination of the ultra-wide bandwidth amplifier and Dirac Live calibration ensures that every sound is rendered with detail and precision.

Audio Performance:

The TX-RZ30 excels in creating a rich, expansive soundstage. Thanks to the wide bandwidth amplifier, it can produce powerful low-end rumblings down to 5 Hz, creating a deep and satisfying bass. The high-end frequencies extend to 100 kHz, ensuring that treble sounds are sharp and clear. This broad frequency range allows for a more lifelike listening experience, particularly for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who demand the utmost from their systems.

The integration of Dolby Atmos brings a whole new dimension to the sound experience, as it creates a three-dimensional sound field, allowing you to feel enveloped in sound from all directions. Paired with IMAX Enhanced and Dirac Live room correction, the TX-RZ30 transforms any room into a cinematic experience, whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or gaming.

Video Performance:

On the video front, the Dolby Vision support ensures that your content looks incredible. The receiver adjusts brightness, contrast, and color dynamically to make every frame as vivid as possible. Whether you’re watching a visually complex action sequence or a dramatic scene with subtle details, the TX-RZ30 renders it all with remarkable precision.

IMAX Enhanced also optimizes the picture, ensuring that color accuracy, contrast, and detail are at their peak. Combined with the HDMI 2.1 support for 8K and 4K content, the TX-RZ30 offers future-proof video capabilities for the latest streaming services and gaming consoles.

Connectivity:

The Onkyo TX-RZ30’s versatility in terms of connectivity is one of its key strengths. It supports HDMI 2.1, allowing for high-quality 4K and 8K content. It also features eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), enabling high-bandwidth, lossless audio to be transmitted to your sound system from your TV.

The ability to stream content from built-in apps, along with Sonos compatibility, ensures that you have all the flexibility you need to access digital content from a variety of sources, all while maintaining high-quality audio.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback for the Onkyo TX-RZ30 is generally positive, with many praising the receiver’s sound quality and the ease with which it integrates into home theater systems. Here are some of the common themes in customer reviews:

Positive Feedback:

• Sound Quality: Customers consistently mention the dynamic range and clear, immersive sound provided by the TX-RZ30. Many report that the receiver drastically improves their home theater audio setup, with some noting that it “brought their basement into the 21st century.”
• Easy Integration: Those using Klipsch speakers were especially pleased with the ease of integration due to the Klipsch Optimize Mode. This feature ensures that the speakers are tuned perfectly for the Onkyo receiver, leading to enhanced sound quality.
• Value for Money: Many customers feel that the TX-RZ30 offers excellent value for the price, particularly when compared to similar receivers from other brands. The inclusion of Dirac Live room correction and Sonos compatibility are frequently cited as standout features that justify the cost.

Negative Feedback:

• Functionality Issues: Some users reported that the functionality of the receiver could be inconsistent. While some praised the setup and ease of use, others found the interface to be buggy or difficult to navigate.
• Setup Difficulties: Setting up the receiver was not always a smooth process, with some users mentioning that the initial configuration was more complicated than anticipated. While some found the process easy, others experienced frustration with the setup and calibration process.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional Audio Quality: Wide bandwidth, Dirac Live calibration, and Dolby Atmos support provide a superior sound experience.
• IMAX Enhanced: Adds a cinematic dimension to both audio and video.
• Flexible Connectivity: Works with Sonos, HDMI 2.1, and multiple streaming apps.
• Future-Proof: Supports 4K/120Hz, 8K/60Hz, and Dolby Vision for top-tier video quality.
• Klipsch Optimize Mode: Seamless integration with Klipsch speakers for improved sound quality.

Cons:

• Setup Can Be Complicated: Some users report a buggy or frustrating setup process.
• Inconsistent Functionality: Occasional issues with connectivity or functionality can occur.

Final Verdict

The Onkyo TX-RZ30 9.2-Channel AV Receiver stands as a powerful option for those looking to build a high-performance home theater system. With its advanced audio and video features, including Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, and Dirac Live Room Correction, it provides a cinematic experience that is hard to match. While some users report setup and functionality issues, the overall performance and features of the receiver are highly regarded.

Check out our audio gear review below.

• Best 7.2 Channel AV Receiver
• Best 5.2 Channel AV Receiver
• Best 9.2 Channel AV Receiver
• Best AV Receiver for Home Theater
• Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar
• Best Portable PA System