Onkyo TX-L50: Slim AV reciever ideal for flat-panel HDTVs

The receiver’s slim profile makes it an ideal companion for flat-panel HDTVs. The minimalistic design of the front panel meets modern trends and is ideal for creating a compact multi-channel system consisting of bookshelf speakers.

The Onkyo TX-L50 belongs to a new generation of AV receivers that do not take up much space thanks to a slim design. The receiver has HDMI ports supporting 4K resolution (60 Hz), HDR and HDCP 2.2 protection protocol, and also provides ample opportunities for wireless signal reception and playback control via a mobile application. The device has on board 6 amplifiers in class D with discrete output stages with a power of 80 W (4 Ohms). The AccuEQ system calibrates the speakers connected to it, and the built-in FM tuner is used to listen to the radio.

To work with wireless streaming sources, there are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules on board, the AirPlay function and the Google Cast service are supported (a software update is required). With a local network connection (via WLAN or LAN), access to the web services Spotify, TuneIn, as well as TIDAL and Deezer, available with the new firmware, is available. Hi-Res audio is played via USB and local network, including DSD (up to 5.6 MHz). SACD playback is supported via HDMI. The model is equipped with FireConnect technology, which transmits audio wirelessly to specially designed speakers and makes it easy to organize a multi-room installation.

To connect the receiver, just connect it to the local network. You can give it a name and enter a password either using the remote control or through an application on your smartphone. In general, about five minutes is enough to organize the connections necessary for listening (not taking into account the sound calibration settings). Using the TV screen for settings, you can adjust classic speaker sets (for each channel). Absolutely all adjustments are displayed on the front display of the receiver. And finally, through your smartphone you can adjust the tonal balance, select different surround sound modes and change the volume of the center channel and subwoofer.

The device has a 32-bit DSP CIRRUS and can operate in three DSP modes (music/cinema/games). The Double Bass mode enhances the low frequencies, and the CinemaFILTER mode restores the correct tonal balance of movie soundtracks.

The front of the AV receiver is designed in a simple style and includes a single-line fluorescent display. On the right side there is a volume knob and radio tuning buttons, and on the left there is a power/standby key, a USB port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a source selector and a button for selecting listening modes.

The Onkyo TX-L50 has four HDMI inputs that support 4K/60p resolution, HDR, HDCP 2.2, CEC control protocol and 4:4:4 color space. The same HDMI output supports the return channel function. The model is equipped with two RCA line inputs and an MM phono stage. The digital section is represented by coaxial and optical inputs. An active subwoofer is connected through the output connector of the preamplifier section. For speakers there are 6 pairs of spring terminals (connection of a passive subwoofer is available).

Despite its compact size and low output power, the Onkyo TX-L50 will become the heart of a high-quality stereo or multi-channel system. Wide connectivity options cover almost all the needs of a modern music lover. This especially applies to content streaming thanks to built-in GoogleCast and playback control via the mobile app.

The Onkyo TX-L50 receiver will work perfectly with small bookshelf speakers (with a woofer no more than 3-5 inches in diameter), and an active subwoofer will complete the balanced acoustic picture, finally revealing surround sound formats.

Onkyo TX-L50 Specifications

Output power 6 x 80 W (4 ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD, IEC)
Harmonic distortion 1% (nominal power)
Input sensitivity/impedance 200 mV/47 kOhm (line input), 6 mV/47 kOhm (MM phono input)
Nominal output sensitivity/impedance 1 V/470 Ohm (subwoofer output) Frequency
response 10 Hz – 40 kHz (+ 1 dB, – 3 dB)
HF tones: ± 10 dB (7.5 kHz) , LF: ± 10 dB (90 Hz)
Signal-to-noise ratio 80 dB (line input), 70 dB (MM phono stage input) Speaker
impedance 4–8 Ohm
AccuEQ auto-calibration system
FM tuner with RDS yes, 40 presets
Supported decoders ( main) Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby ProLogic II, Dolby Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS High Resolution, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD Express, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, multi-channel PCM Planned
with new firmware support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats yes
DSP processor 32-bit CIRRUS
Music Optimizer function MP3 file enhancer Upscaler
1080p upscaling to 4K
Supported streaming audio file formats (via local network and USB) MP3, WMA, WAV (24 bit/192 kHz ), AIFF (24 bit/192 kHz), AAC, FLAC (24 bit/192 kHz), Apple Lossless (24 bit/192 kHz), DSD (up to 5.6 MHz), LPCM, Dolby TrueHD SACD
playback capability via HDMI 2.8 MHz (multi-channel mode), 5.6 MHz (2.1 channel)
Wi-Fi support IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n, 2.4/5 GHz
Bluetooth support version 4.1 + LE (A2DP 1.2/profiles) AVRCP 1.4)
AirPlay support yes
Google Cast support (official extension for Google Chrome, provides interaction with digital streaming media player Chromecast) yes (software update required)
Control via Onkyo app for iOS and Android devices yes
Direct mode for pure audio playback without using digital processing yes
Supported web services TIDAL (software update required), Deezer (software update required), Spotify, TuneIn
FireConnect technology for wireless multiroom installation yes
Bass boost function yes
Inputs 4 x HDMI (4K/60 Hz, 3D, HDCP 2.2, HDR, 4:4:4 Color Space, BT.2020, CEC), 2 linear RCA, RCA input of MM phono stage, coaxial, optical, USB port for external drives (can recharge the battery of connected devices), Ethernet (LAN)
Outputs 1 x HDMI (4K/60 Hz, 3D, HDCP 2.2, HDR, 4:4:4 Color Space, BT.2020, CEC, ARC), Pre Out (RCA) for subwoofer, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Other connections 2 sockets for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas, socket for FM antenna, mini-jack for calibration microphone, ground terminal for
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas 2 pcs.
Signal pass-through via HDMI in standby mode yes
Speaker output 6 pairs of spring terminals
Power consumption 60 W, in standby mode: 0.38 W
Remote control RC-934R
Dimensions (WxHxD) 435x70x326 mm
Weight 4 kg