I've got M80s in cabinet, a VP160, and in wall m3s in a very large room of about 15 feet wide and 35 feet long. It's a family room with a kitchen at the back. The entire space is open to the rest of the house as well. No subwoofer. Uses are mainly TV watching and some music and movies. A 2nd zone will drive the patio speakers.

Which receiver should I get? I do like Onkyo but I'd consider other brands as well. I'd like lots of HDMI ports and an HDMI port of the front of the receiver. Budget is as little as I need to get enough amp power for the m80s. Max is $1000 but would prefer $600. I would consider older models for discount.

A Onkyo TX NR-809 is a more than capable receiver, that is pretty reliable and offers 135W over the first two channels driven. With that large of a space, you would want to get all the horse power you can get for the money. With your budget as stated, this would be one you could consider, the feature set is no slouch as well.

It can be purchased on line for a little less than a thousand. Accessories for less, will usually have some refurbished ones for about six hundred.

I am really enjoying my TX NR-709. I'm using it in a 7.1 setup in a 14ft x 24ft space with MORE than enough power and features.

What does "lots of HDMI ports" mean to you?

AB, the M80s are slightly above average in sensitivity and are quite easy to drive. The amount of power needed depends primarily on your listening distance and how loud you want it at that distance. With typical listening distances around 10' or so and at comfortably, but not dangerously, loud levels, any power rating in the 100-150 watt area(very little difference between those two numbers)is plenty and shouldn't be a cause for concern.

To keep under that $600 number there's an outstanding buy at this time on the Onkyo 809 from ShopOnkyo here . There's a Father's Day sale on all factory refurbished units with 17% off for the next six days. The $699 price shown on the 809 is reduced to about $570(shipping included)with the 17% off and a $10 credit for registering for "Club Onkyo". There's also a 5% credit(about $29)given which may be used on a future purchase.

The 809 is an excellent quality unit which fits your needs, including one front and seven back HDMI inputs.

I really need to find out what features all you other onk ownes are using, since the 809 feels kind of light on them to me.

That said, for the OP, I'm generally apply with my 809. A bit confusing, but it seems like a good receiver, and definitely a bargain for the power and feature set.

Ken, if by "light" you mean that you haven't found much in the way of special features that you're actually using, I could say the same for my simple needs. This doesn't apply just to the 809, but to almost any of the very full-featured modern HT receivers. I'll mention again the offset adjustment on Dynamic EQ which lessens the amount of bass boost at below 0 volume settings to take into account source materials recorded at unusually high levels(or I suppose to adjust the boost to suit personal taste).

809 it is then. I don't need a lot of features. Just good power handling and an onscreen volume overlay as the unit will be behind a cabinet door. I also tend to need a lot of HDMI ports so 7 is great. Thanks.

Which route will you take though, new, or refurbished?