Onkyo Controller 4+

Update: I finally gave up waiting for Onkyo to update this app for better airplay control on Zone2. So finally, I connected my old airplay digital to analog streamer device to Z2. I do have to use the third party and Onkyo controller apps to play music in my patio. However, once the third party app was setup (equalizer, balance) there is no more to do except launch it. Now I can control music and volume only using the apple music app and my iphone volume buttons and not have to go back and forth between onkyo and apple music apps to manage music.

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.

To start off, this app is great and works like a charm every time. I am a very big person in ui interphases and I’d like to say that the ui is phenomenal. Looks amazing and is intuitive for the most part. I’m glad to see that the developers of this app continue to update bugs and issues. And because y’all update the app, I’d like to point out a few suggestions. First, I’d like to see the same HDMI CEC digital remotes, present in zone one, to also be present in the zone two section, so I don’t always have to alternate between zones in the app. Secondly, I’d like to see the MODE button present in one of the blank spots of the remote, so I don’t need to have both my phone and physical remote in hand.
Also talking about zone two, whenever I select dts - play fi, zone two shuts off. And finally, this may be pushing it, but it would be so awesome if there was a feature called ZONE 2 LFE, which would enable only the LFE channel in zone one, but not the rest of the speakers, so when using zone two, the speakers get a little assistance from the subwoofer placed back in the main theater. If the developers of this app can pull that off, that would be great! Those are just some things I thought would make sense through the years that I’ve owned my Onkyo. Thank you for creating an amazing app and for maintaining it. Oh yea, by the way, that new app logo looks great!

Frustrating. I dread opening this app. I wish my TX-RZ830 allowed me to dump this trash and use the newer remote app.

Slow. Selection of features takes 10-15 seconds per selection. Don’t select anything more than once or you’ll be watching a replay of the last 15seconds of your life through the eyes of a spasmatic tweaker.

Unreliable. Every 4th or 5th login requires reset of my network and power cycle of the receiver to allow recognition of the app and the receiver. The receiver can connect independently to streaming channels, but does not allow connection through the app when the issue occurs.

Disappointing. When I coughed up the cash for this receiver I thought I was getting the latest greatest technology for linking a multi-room stereo receiver to streaming services. Boy was I wrong. This is early 2010’s tech at best. Am I just supposed to be enamored by the fact that my stereo and phone can talk, while I struggle to keep my excitement contained? Come on.

I think many issues could be resolved by bringing in compatibility of the TX-RZ830 with the “3” app.

I hope this happens soon!

In the meantime, embrace the pain. It will make you a stronger person, and you too may develop a passion for writing wordy reviews of obscure electronic devices on the internets that no one will read.