Avalon Hi-Fi Distribution

5 only...Onkyo LS-V501 at a price for sore eyes and ears!

Posted 22 April, 2010 #

The Onkyo LS-V501

This is Bharat and Steves first opening deal for our Avalon Audio showroom at 18 St Marks Road in Newmarket and it is a real BEAUTY!

We have 5 only of this superb model at this unbelievable HALF PRICE offer…WAS $2199.99 now ONLY $1099.99

Lets us tell you a little bit about this incredible system.

Everyone loves the concept of home cinema but for some incorporating rear speakers (and the cables that come with them) into their living environment is to be blunt a mess and a hassle.
There have been plenty of 2.1-channel systems hit the market, such as the awesome but outrageously overpriced Denon S-302, these catered for those who wanted to take movie sound beyond the confines of their TV's 'junk' speakers but don't have the room for full 5.1 set up.

The LS-V501 is a different 'kettle of fish' as it takes a more audiophile approach to the concept, placing emphasis on audio performance. As a result, the amp/DVD unit (DR-S501) boasts many of the features found on the company's acclaimed range of AV receivers.

As for looks, one word springs to mind: class.
The main unit's understated black styling and large dials make it look like a piece of high-end hi-fi kit, with no contrived cosmetic gimmicks or bandwagon-jumping to cheapen the design. Likewise the wall-mountable bookshelf front speakers sport a pleasant black finish and stylish circular stands. The active subwoofer is similarly styled in black. It is a beast too with an impressive 100W of bass power, and features its own volume control on the rear panel (the level can also be trimmed using the main unit's front display).
Another big feature is superb build quality.

The main unit combines a 50W-per-channel amplifier and a DVD player that also spins DVD-Audio, SACD, and CD – alongside digital media formats like MP3, WMA, DivX and JPEG. It also up-scales DVDs to 720p and 1080i.

Also on board is an FM/AM radio tuner with 40 presets, and iPod owners can snap up one of two optional Onkyo docks and integrate their player into the LS-V501's operating system.

Connections are plentiful. Video outputs include HDMI, component and composite, while on the audio side you'll find two digital ports (one optical, one coaxial) and two sets of analogue inputs. You can also pass video signals through the deck via the HDMI or composite inputs. Completing the line-up is a subwoofer output, FM/AM antenna inputs and an RGB-capable SCART output.

The system is likely all ONKYO products practical to use. Most of the audio adjustments are made using the basic front display panel, though everything else is controlled from the slick and attractive on-screen setup menu. The remote is a master class in how to pack in a large amount of buttons onto a handset without making it seem cluttered or confusing, cleverly separating them into different sections.

Now onto audio quality.

With movies, the LS-V501 makes up for the lack of rear and centre channels with a brilliantly brutal three-channel performance. During Billy Idols "Storytellers" DVD the power on offer is palpable, with the subwoofer's prodigious bass output sounding loud yet well controlled, propelling songs along at a punchy pace. Such is its power that we had to reduce the level from the 'zero' factory setting to stop it overpowering the other channels.

You really can hear the quality pouring out of the front speakers too – their detailed and sophisticated sound is far superior to many cheaper 2.1 systems.

Midrange and top-end effects, like Steve Stevens working his Godin Multiac, sound clear and direct, and, despite the lack of a centre speaker, speech (or in this case Billy singing) is audible over the band. The fronts fuse seamlessly with the subwoofer, a testament to their own impressive bass capabilities, but if it's not to your taste then you can alter the crossover point from 40Hz up to 200Hz.

DVD-Audio and SACD playback lacks the surround spice that an extra three channels would have provided, but there's no denying the quality of the hi-res stereo performance. Variations by Japanese jazz group Atagiin sounds great, with the system's detailed reproduction of tinkling piano, chunky double bass and shuffling snares putting you right in the middle of a smoky Tokyo jazz club. This excellent musical performance carries over to CD playback, as the breathtaking rendition of Donny Hathaway's Someday We'll All Be Free demonstrates.

The LS-V501 is also backed up by superb picture quality. Set to 1080i, the high detail level makes pictures look not a million miles away from hi-def – the tattoos on Billy's arms are easy to read, while Steve Steven's Canadian Maple Multiac is accurately reproduced and treated with the appropriate degree of subtlety.

The LS-V501 at an original SRP of $2199 was slightly more expensive than some of its rivals (except the $2799 Denon S-302) but justifies its price tag with awesome build quality, a generous feature list and refined sound quality that benefits from Onkyo's years of audio experience.

It also looks great, proving that lifestyle oriented products don't have to compromise on performance….treat yourself to one of the best 2.1 systems on the market at a price that will not be repeated.

If you want a demo call Bharat or Steve on 09 522 0012 now!