In home audio systems, AV receivers are the most versatile devices. With every release, home theater receivers get more powerful, better, and affordable. The Onkyo RZ30 is the best example of this and shows why getting an AV receiver is probably the best option for most of us.
Review
The Onkyo RZ30 has a Class A/B amplifier, and it offers 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms. It has 9.2 channels with pre-amp outputs for all nine channels including dual independent subwoofer outputs. If you listen to music on a digital platform, the RZ30 has WiFi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and Airplay 2. It has support for Chromecast, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, and Amazon Music.
The Onkyo RZ30 has six 8K HDMI inputs, and two HDMI outputs, one of which supports ARC and eARC. It also supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTX:X, and HDR 10+. In regards to gaming features, it has VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and Quick Frame Transport. It has analog inputs, which can be converted to digital and played through its HDMI outputs.
Onkyo also included Diraq Live Room Correction. This means you get the best room correction software without paying for it. You only have to pay extra for Diraq’s new Bass Management add-on, if you want it. Diraq helps improve your speaker’s performance to better your room and its acoustic features. You can save three sound profiles on the RZ30, and creating these profiles is easier on your PC. With the Onkyo RZ30, Diraq works as well as advertised, making your speakers sound significantly better with room correction. The only problem I had was that transferring the profiles to the receiver took a long time, however, the results were worth waiting for.
The Onkyo RZ30 will have no issue driving your speakers to their full potential. I used it with the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signatures, and even at high volumes, this receiver didn’t let me down. The overall tone of the RZ30 is neutral, which means that tweaking settings and even the equalizer will have a noticeable impact on your listening experience. Even without an external subwoofer, the RZ30 will extract so much bass from your speaker’s woofers that it can compete with its more expensive counterparts. I noticed very few differences between the surround sound performance of this receiver and receivers that cost double the price.
With gaming, the RZ30 can handle consoles extremely well. Most games were smooth at 4K/120, while HDR and VRR were on. I didn’t notice any fluctuations, and there was zero input lag. The Onkyo Control app is not that impressive, it is functional but doesn’t have the same features you would get in HEOS. However, we can let this slide considering the low price of this receiver.
Verdict
The Onkyo RZ30 is an impressive, well-rounded AV receiver that delivers exceptional performance across various applications, from home theater audio to gaming. With features like 9.2 channels, 100 watts per channel, and compatibility with Dolby Atmos, HDR10+, and 8K HDMI inputs, it provides ample power and connectivity for a premium home audio setup. The Diraq Live Room Correction system further enhances the audio experience, allowing you to adapt the sound to your room’s acoustics, though transferring profiles can be time-consuming. Gaming performance is solid, with smooth 4K/120 output and zero input lag, making it a viable choice for console gamers as well. Although the Onkyo Control app lacks advanced functionality, this minor drawback is easily overlooked given the RZ30’s exceptional value for the price. Coming in at $1200, this is my top pick for a receiver in 2024.
Buy it here.