Onkyo TX-SR805 (black)

Editors' rating: A/V receivers
CNET Electronics editors rate A/V receivers on a scale of 1 through 10. Any product achieving a score of 8 or better can be considered for an Editors' Choice award. To calculate the rating, different criteria are evaluated on a 10-point scale. These scores are then weighted as detailed below, added, and converted to conform to our rating system.

The rating criteria with the weightings by class are:

Design
(35 percent of the total rating)
We rate the overall design of the receiver and how easy it is to operate. We look at the front-panel controls, the included remote control, and any onscreen menus to determine ease of use. In determining this rating, we give less weight to ease of initial setup than to day-to-day ease of use, as most owners will need to configure the receiver only once.

Features
(35 percent of the total rating)
Even bare-bones receivers have long lists of features and a forest of inputs and outputs. While we consider every detail, we give the highest priority to rated power, supported decoding formats, and high-quality DSP modes for two-channel audio such as Dolby ProLogic II. We also consider the equally important input and output bay in this section, giving points for number and kinds of analog and digital jacks. A typical 5.1-channel receiver with just Dolby Digital decoding and a few inputs will rate a 5. More feature-rich products, with sophisticated surround modes and component-video switching, will earn a higher rating.

Performance
(30 percent of the total rating)
To judge a receiver's performance, we listen to the receiver using speakers that are very familiar to the reviewer. We also use film and music that we are familiar with to determine how the receiver handles factors such as dynamics, surround-sound effects, low-frequency effects, sound-field depth, and stereo imaging. This is also where we test the manufacturers' claims for rated wattage; thus, if a supposedly 100-watt-per-channel receiver sounds weak, it will earn a lower performance score.

What the numbers mean

9.6 to 10.0 = 5 stars (Spectacular):
This exceedingly rare score is reserved for a product that is as perfect as it could be.

9.0 to 9.5 = 4.5 stars (Outstanding):
A product that receives a rating in this range scores high on all of its rating criteria. It succeeds at meeting all of its intended users' needs and has no meaningful drawbacks.

8.0 to 8.9 = 4 stars (Excellent):
A product that receives a rating in this range is superior in so many ways that its relatively few drawbacks are not very important.

7.0 to 7.9 = 3.5 stars (Very good):
While the strengths of a product scoring in this range certainly outweigh its weaknesses, it has some minor faults that certain users should be aware of.

6.0 to 6.9 = 3 stars (Good):
This range represents a product that is above average. Its strengths slightly outweigh its weaknesses, making it good for most uses but not a standout.

5.0 to 5.9 = 2.5 stars (Average):
A product that scores in this range is functional but unremarkable.

4.0 to 4.9 = 2 stars (Mediocre):
Products in this range are below average. They fall in the middle of the pack for most features, but suffer from a few additional major flaws.

3.0 to 3.9 = 1.5 stars (Poor):
You probably should not consider a product in this range or lower. There may be one or two specialized circumstances, however, that could justify the purchase of this product for a very low price for a specific demand.

2.0 to 2.9 = 1 star (Terrible):
A product that receives a rating in this range scores low on all of its rating criteria. It does not satisfy any of its intended users' needs and has no meaningful strengths.

1.0 to 1.9 = 1/2 star (Abysmal):
A product in this range should never have been produced. This product has no redeeming qualities and worse, may actually harm you or your productivity.

0 - 0.9 = 0 stars