Onkyo Controller

Update: I finally gave up waiting for Onkyo to update this app for better music & airplay controls on Zone2. So finally, I connected my Wiim Pro Plus to the Onkyo line in input labeled “Strm Box” via RCA cables. I turn on the Onkyo Z2 and select streamer box input and set volume at a mid to high level. Then I airplay directly just to the Wiim or use Wiim home app to play, manage music to speakers on Z2. Now I have the option to control music volume on Z2 using my iphone volume buttons which doesn’t work using Onkyo controller app. Additionally, the Wiim allows me to balance and equalize as well as optimize the music listening experience of my Z2 speakers. Works really well. Original post Listening to music via airplay on my TX-NR6100, Zone1 is vastly different than on Zone2. Z2 even with latest updated app still lacks speaker level/balance and tone (treble, voice & bass) controls when playing music. Even my iphone volume button works on Z1 but not on Z2. Z2 should be made to work just like Z1 so you can make adjustments to music based on environment. Both zones need to add speaker LR balance as well. ONKYO has great products but the quality of the Controller app diminishes the value of this receiver. These changes are needed to significantly increase the listening experience. I emailed the company several months ago and they indicated they would pass this along to their technical team. Nothing yet.

So this app, while has some useful functions that allow you to skip using the remote, needs just a little bit more work to get more stars. Firstly, while more product related, my RZ50 is constantly dropping network connectivity. About once a week I will have to reconnect the AVR to my WiFi network (Wifi6 Mesh system) in order to use the app. Thinks I like:-Input switching is easy to navigate and pretty responsive -Adjusting trim for center & subwoofer and switching between DIRAC slots is quick and easy.-Having audio/video info available help verify streamer is working correctly and pulling the correct audioThings I don’t like:-Switching between sound field modes is frustrating because you have to cycle through each mode to get to the one you want. Yamaha’ MusicCast app uses a drop down feature and lets you pick exactly which sound field you want without having to go through 6-7 other modes to get to the one you want. -Making any adjustment with tone controls causes the AVR to drop out for nearly a full second with each tick of adjustment. If it was as smooth as subwoofer/center trim that would be a great quality of life changeAs far as features/updates I’d like to see: -A “Pure Audio” button in the adjustment menu. So I can just snap to that mode without having to cycle through the others -Drop down menu for sound fields, saving the frustration of cycling through them all-Larger volume “knob” when adjusting volume. The haptic feed back is nice but the simulated dial is a bit small, and also I’d like to see it offer either volume number or dB scale to match what is displayed on screen-Graphical representation of what speakers are playing, similar to what is shown on the AVR front display

The app feels much more modern and intuitive to use as of the 3.0 update in October, 2022. They finally added a volume knob, sleep timer and concise Interface of audio info within the app while remaining responsive and easy to understand. In addition, there’s some quality of life options such as the ability to add a custom photo of different backgrounds to represent your receiver within the app; nice touch. Nothing is slow and unresponsive like the how the volume and option menu used to be, and overall everything looks seamlessly designed and upgraded for the modern digital age of today. Do not become complacent, Onkyo. This app is excellent now, but it will need to be continuously updated to accommodate new receivers and features.