Onkyo TX-SR3100 5.2-Channel AV Receiver - Dolby Atmos, Dolby Height Virtualizer, Dolby Vision and More

I already owned 2 previous higher end Onkyo 7.2 surround receivers. The most recent one was an Onkyo TX-NR7100 9.2 Surround high power receiver that I bought to replace a fully functional 25 year old TX-DS787. I needed a newer model that supported HDMI, HDMI Arc, Bluetooth, and a host of other more modern features to connect the TV and run the main Surround system in the family roomI took the DS787 into the Master bedroom to run the two stereo speakers. After about 3 weeks, the old Onkyo finally died, distorting everything regardless of input or output source at much reduced gain. So I started looking for simple stereo receivers at a low price range. What I found in the $200-$300 range were a bunch of stereo only, 2-channel receivers with limited digital input and outputs. So I expanded the search to 5.2 Surround models and found the Onkyo TX-SR3100 5.2-Channel AV Receiver. Although it had capabilities way beyond my present 2-speaker bedroom needs, I couldn't rationalize saving a few bucks and buying a Sony or Pioneer dedicated stereo receiver.The Onkyo TX-SR3100 5.2-Channel AV Receiver 80 Watt/channel at $250 has met my expectations for Onkyo based on the new TX-NR7100 9.2 that I also bought through Amazon for a little under $650, which I also found to exceed expectations.The TX-SR3100 has all the digital inputs and outputs (including an HDMI Arc/sArc for connection to and from the TV) and there is no longer any need for any analog inputs from the cable box, Media player or TV. It's all digital now. The on-screen display (OSDlets you easily customize all adjustable parameters on the receiver without having to use the one line display on the receiver itself.There is an OSD autosetup that I used once everything was connected that worked fine (but see below). It comes with a very easy to use remote that does everything. I have not touched the receiver itself since the final configurationI would say that the setup was easy, but that's a relative term. I needed to set up for OSD, Cable TV, several streaming channels and the media player to not interfere with each other. This also required a bit of fiddling with inputs on the xTX-SR3100 as well as on the new 43" Smart TV. The initial setup to just get the TV sound to play through the Onkyo probably only took 25 minutes to connect 2 speakers and 3 inputs, but it was probably 2 days of fiddling here and there for a few minutes at a time to get all the inputs and settings on the TX-SR3100 and the smart TV (Amazon 43" Insignia) just exactly perfect.Are there any cons to the TX-SR3100? Only when comparing it to the TX-NR7100 which cost nearly 3 times as much. In comparison, the TX-SR3100 has much more limited tone controls. The TX-NR7100 has a separate 9 band equalizer for each of the speakers, and I was expecting the same for the TX-SR3100. But it only has a system-wide bass and treble control from 0-10 dB boost. Just fine for the bedroom but might be limiting if you are at least an above average user using it to run a true 5.2 surround system.I couldn't be more pleased with the TX-SR3100. For the price, I think it is absolutely unbeatable. Below are a few screen shots from the back panel (from the download only) manual to aid you in your selection and probably setup if you buy this.JMTepper1/8/2025

This is my second Onkyo ARV I've ever had, the first one was bought in 1997, blew from my own ignorance, and thought it was finally time to modernize, but couldn't really afford to, that's when I saw I could get one used for $125! I took the chance, bought through Adorana, arrived 2 days before it said it would, and it was in perfect, brand new condition! Just had an opened box. Functions perfectly, haven't noticed it getting hot, half step incremental volume control, the picture quality of the HDMI passthrough is great, and the Bluetooth connected easily, even have my record player ran to it and it is perfect!

This avr is VERY cool , does do atmos on PS5 and xbox series x ...I am running a 3.1.2 front heights , it sounds GREAT!

It's an excellent entry-level receiver.The good: it's easy to set up, nice sound. Good, simple remote. Very useful info button displays input & output audio format. Other useful modes: quick adjust, vocal enhancement, night mode.8K HDMI Video switching with no hiccups. Solid binding posts for all the speakers. (A rarity at this price point). Surprisingly attractive & hefty unit for the price. Overall, a terrific value for the money, provided one is not after an effective EQ & room correction tuning. Unbeatable amplification and processing at this price point—$250. (Sometimes it goes on sale for $200!!) The bad: It is not possible to adjust each channel's level individually post calibration, only the front speakers & the subwoofer. Otherwise, you are forced to run the calibration routine all over again.AccuEQ was ineffective for my dorm room, it kept choosing the wrong crossover frequencies. It consistently picked 70 Hz for the fronts/center/rear channels. These Klipsch speakers roll over -3db at 110 Hz and were not included in the pre-set cross-over modes available. I had to perform a 100% manual calibration on my Klipsch 5.1 Reference HT using an SPL meter + DVD Audio test tones (All channels frequency sweep 15–20 kHz, bass management 15Hz to 150 Hz) to dial in a proper blend between the subwoofer & the satellites. The Odyssey EQ calibration on Onkyo's past receivers was far superior.