A terrific home theater value

I was stoked when Onkyo announced their 2021 home theater receiver lineup. It gives customers a fresh selection of feature-packed options, like the TX-NR5100 — one of my top recommendations for getting excellent picture and sound without breaking the bank.

I'm most impressed that this value-oriented model has four 4K/120 HDMI inputs — a rarity at this price point. It also has built-in support for Sonos (way cool), plus the latest video game processing technology for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience.

Ideal for a Dolby Atmos system

The seven-channel TX-NR5100 is ideal for powering a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X™ system — that's the traditional five speakers and subwoofer configuration, plus a pair of upward-firing or in-ceiling speakers for overhead effects.

Enjoy music from a variety of sources

You get lots of fun options for playing music. Stream tunes from your phone or tablet through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Apple AirPlay 2. You can even play high-resolution tracks from a USB thumb drive or networked computer.

Works with Sonos

If you're a Sonos fan, you'll be glad this Onkyo receiver easily integrates into your Sonos multi-room music system. Just add a Sonos Port, and you can send any music or audio source from the Sonos app to the receiver.

As a bonus, it will automatically turn itself on and switch to the correct input when you fire it up in the Sonos app.

Product highlights:

• Featured in our article: Best AV receivers for 2023

Power and processing:

• 7-channel amplifier

• 80 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD, with 2 channels driven

• Dolby® and DTS® surround sound decoding

  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X™ processing for use with in-ceiling or "height" speakers for more enveloping home theater sound

  • Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization creates three-dimensional effects without height speakers

• AccuEQ automatic speaker calibration optimizes your system's sound for your room (microphone included)

Digital and streaming music options:

• plays high-resolution digital music files via USB storage device or a networked computer (up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution)

• built-in Wi-Fi for listening to music from a networked PC, free internet radio, and music services

  • includes support for Pandora®, SiriusXM, and Spotify® (subscription required for some services)

• compatible with Sonos Port — receiver turns on automatically and sets the right input when selected in the app

• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone® or iPad® and ask Siri to play Apple Music®

• built-in Bluetooth for wireless music listening with smartphones, tablets, and compatible computers

  • supports Bluetooth transmission for sending audio from the receiver to Bluetooth-enabled headphones

• Chromecast built-in for streaming music from the cloud with compatible mobile apps

• works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control assistants

HDMI features:

• HDMI 2.1 audio/video switching: 4 in, 2 out

  • "sub" HDMI output sends mirrored content to a secondary TV or projector

• HDCP 2.3 technology ensures compatibility with Ultra HD sources and TVs

• all HDMI connections support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video

• HDR-compatible for extended picture contrast and brightness with compatible TVs and HDR-encoded content

  • supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision™, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)

• supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

  • eARC receives uncompressed surround sound signals including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via the HDMI connection with your compatible TV

• gaming-optimized video processing technologies for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience

  • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduce or eliminate lag and frame tearing

Other connections:

• digital audio inputs: 1 Toslink optical, 1 coaxial

• 3 analog stereo RCA audio inputs

• rear-panel USB port for audio playback from USB flash drives

• outputs for 7 speakers (Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Height L/R)

• dual RCA subwoofer outputs

• full-sized front-panel headphone jack

Dimensions and other info:

• handheld remote control included

• support for IP-based third-party remote control systems

• AM/FM tuner

• dimensions: 17-3/16"W x 6-3/8"H x 13-7/16"D

• weight: 18.5 lbs.