Onkyo CS-525UKD review

Plenty to offer but has simply been pipped at the post by a superior sounding rival Tested at £320.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Plenty to offer but has simply been pipped at the post by a superior sounding rival

Pros

  • +

    Another smart package

  • +

    plenty of features

  • +

    open, substantial sound

  • +

    decent detail

Cons

  • -

    Soft bass

  • -

    uneven tonal balance

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If you don't like spoilers, you might want to skip this introdction… then again, regular readers will be aware of what has previously come to pass: Onkyo and Denon both brought out brand new micro systems within a few days of each other in 2008 and, sadly for Onkyo, it was the Denon D-M37DAB that comfortably took the spoils and, a month later, the Product of the Year crown.

In terms of form and function, the CS-525UKD has a similar style to its predecessor, the '515, but added a USB input on the front of the unit. There's still a headphone output alongside stereo inputs and outputs, and a 3.5mm minijack output.

There's also a dedicated iPod dock connection on the rear of the unit (the DS-A2X costs £60) and the speakers have had a glossy redesign. Navigating the machine has been made easier thanks to the removal of the twisting control knob for skipping tracks in favour of individual ‘forward' and ‘back' keys.

The chunky remote does a job but doesn't fit in with the style of the rest of the system.

Digs deep for the detail
Listening to the hotly anticipated and predictably underwhelming Chinese Democracy album from Guns N' Roses, the Onkyo reveals plenty of detail as it delivers an open, spacious sound.

Kanye West's Robocop shows this system is capable of hitting high frequencies as well as it can reach impressively low bass notes.A very promising start, but prolonged listening turns up a few small issues that start to bug us.

Listening to A Tribe Called Quest's Buggin' Out, the track doesn't quite have the flow we're used to, with the lazy rolling bassline lacking pace and punch, sounding a little soft.

More pertinently there's a lack of balance to higher frequencies, with vocals at times sounding a touch muffled while other treble sounds display some brightness.

Switch to the tuners and the Onkyo is strong and reliable, picking up the necessary stations and demonstrating clarity and stability with DAB and FM.

While undoubtedly an enticing product, sonically this Onkyo doesn't quite match either its admittedly brilliant predecessor or the new kid on the block from Denon – which can only mean four stars.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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