As the Lunar New Year of 2018 approaches, there’s a lot to look forward to! One of the most exciting things is the annual value-for-money welfare feedback, which gives you a full year’s worth of Dabo Welfare in one go. Click here to learn more about it.
The first draft was created by Xiao Bian, who mentioned that the image quality wasn’t great and that I was too excited when I first got the device. I took the phone and shot it quickly. Now, I’ve had to redo it and removed the power amplifier, using a camera instead. In addition to group photos, some text has also been added. I hope everyone can enjoy them.
The renovation of our new house is now complete, and the home audiovisual infrastructure is almost fully set up. The worst part of the final setup was the amplifier. After testing several options, I finally chose the Onkyo 676E. It arrived yesterday, and after a few trial-and-error attempts, everything is now working smoothly. I tested it with Dolby’s test dish, and the panoramic sound effect was really impressive—there was a real sense of excitement. I’m happy to share this experience with all of you.
Initially, I planned to go with the Marantz 6011. I had used an older Marantz model before, and I found the sound quality very good, especially for concerts. That’s why I was drawn to the 6011, as it's the cheapest 5.1.4 amplifier and would make system setup easier. However, by the end of the renovation, my budget was severely overextended. Although the 6011 is now priced below 6,000, it still felt a bit expensive for me at the time. So, I ended up choosing the Onkyo 676E, which supports panoramic sound, DTSX, HDR10, and more. Compared to other latest technologies, its price is quite reasonable. The Hong Kong price of 3,700 is currently the most cost-effective panoramic sound amplifier, and I found it acceptable. However, I couldn't achieve the initial 5.1.4 configuration; only 5.1.2 was possible. The reflector boxes I originally bought are now unused, but in the end, it was still a better choice.
The packaging was very well-structured, and it even included a wooden stand for added transport safety.
The 676E’s outer box is lightweight, making it easy to handle. High-end models often require two people to move, but not this one.
After opening the box, I was pleased to see that the machine was well protected.
The front panel continues Onkyo’s classic design—simple and not too complicated with buttons.
Onkyo’s logo is clearly visible, along with a switch button beneath it.
There are buttons and knobs for listening mode, bass control, and treble adjustment.
The display panel and source switching buttons have a smooth touch.
I tested it using wheat and AUX input. There is a front HDMI port, but no front USB, which is convenient for use. Adding a USB port would have been even better.
Looking at the back interface, Onkyo and Pioneer have merged. The biggest change is that the speaker interface is now centered. You can see that the 676E supports 7-channel output and ZONE2 partition output. It also has 6 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs, which is sufficient for a single projector or TV.
At the top of the function logo, you can see Dolby Panorama, DTSX, and Dolby Vision. These are all new features, and that’s one of the reasons I chose the 676E.
The transformer provides 165W per channel, which is decent for an entry-level product. However, Japanese products usually have higher power ratings, so the actual output is somewhat limited. Still, it easily drives my speakers.
Since it’s from Hong Kong, it uses a British standard plug, so you’ll need an adapter.
The package includes a family portrait, AM/FM antenna, AccuEQ microphone, and a remote control.
After removing the packaging, the next step was connecting the speaker cables. For users with banana plugs, you’ll find that the sockets are too small. I had to remove the head and twist it to fit.
It took nearly an hour to get the plug in. Later, a friend told me there was a protective cover on the socket, and I could just plug it in. I was extremely frustrated, but after removing the cover and placing the head properly, the result was much better.
Finally, I connected the HDMI cable, remembering not to hot-swap it, as that could damage the interface. Once everything was connected, it looked neat and tidy.
After installation, I placed it in the rack and started the debugging process. I positioned the tripod at the center and adjusted the height to match my seating level. The microphone was mounted, and AccuEQ was ready to run. Onkyo’s room acoustics calibration system is now called AccuEQ, replacing the previous Odyssey. In my opinion, AccuEQ isn’t as accurate as Odyssey, but it still works reasonably well.
We first needed to set the speaker channels. I chose 5.1.2 based on my layout.
Then we started the calibration. The process is fully automatic, and it's important to keep the room quiet during the test.
The test adjusts the crossover frequency, distance, and gain for each channel based on the results. Sometimes the results aren’t accurate, like when my right front position was measured at only 0.96 meters. I had to manually adjust it using a tape measure.
This is the result after completing AccuEQ. Generally, it should be close to the expected levels. In reality, I believe the sound pressure measurement is more accurate. Each sound point should have the same sound pressure at the listening position. To ensure this, I used a Taiwanese sound pressure meter to make manual adjustments for a friend.
A sound pressure meter is one of my most essential tools.
First, I pressed the menu button to enter the settings. The options are still relatively comprehensive, but Onkyo’s instructions are not very detailed, so many settings require exploration.
We manually adjusted the loudness settings for the speakers.
This is the result of the last AccuEQ run. I first set the front left to 0 and adjusted from there.
At a volume of 60, I measured the sound pressure at 54dB. I used this as a benchmark to adjust the levels of the other channels.
This is the final result. The first three were all set to 0, but I increased the mid-range by 2dB because many people find vocal dialogue too quiet and ambient sounds too loud. This adjustment helps improve that issue.
After everything was set up, we could enjoy the immersive effects of blockbuster movies. I also want to mention firmware upgrades. The Hong Kong official website offers faster updates than the domestic site. For example, the 676E has a new firmware available in Hong Kong but not yet in China. At that time, I recommend using a USB drive to download and install the update, as it’s more reliable than online updates.
Finally, the panorama sound icon can be turned on. In the listening mode, I still recommend using the pass-through mode for better results.
Lastly, I want to talk about the panoramic sound experience. Even though my basic setup is 5.0.2, the effect was truly surprising. The sky sound channel isn’t just about adding two speakers—it creates a 3D sound field that feels much more immersive. It’s definitely worth trying.
Now, my home theater system is mostly complete. Once I have some free time, I plan to write a full report on the cinema and HIFI system. However, I’ll have to wait until the holiday to organize everything properly.
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