Upper Saddle River, N.J. – Onkyo unveiled two more audio/video receivers with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X upgradability, full-bandwidth 18Mbps HDMI 2.0a, and HDCP 2.2 copy protection at suggested retails of $1,299 and $1,599.
The company also unveiled a $499 network stereo receiver, its first networked stereo receiver with built-in Wi-Fi. It’s also the company’s first networked stereo receiver with built-in Bluetooth.
All three products are due sometime in the summer.
The $1,299 TX-RZ800 and $1,599 TX-RZ900 Atmos/DTS:X AVRs will join two previously announced Atmos-equipped AVRS with DTS:X upgradability: the $699 TX-NR646 and $999 TX-NR747. Both are upgradable to DTS:X via a firmware upgrade due later this year. They also feature HDMI 2.0a, 18Gbps HDMI, and HDCP 2.2.
Also for 2015, Onkyo previously announced two Atmos-equipped AVRs at $499 and $599 that lack DTS:X upgradability. They also feature HDR-capable HDMI 2.0a inputs, HDCP 2.2 copy protection, and full-bandwidth 18Gbps HDMI.
The two latest Atmos/DTS:X AVRs are 7.2-channel networked models that support 5.1.2-channel object-based surround but don’t support additional channels with the addition of an amplifier. Compared to their predecessors, they add Apple AirPlay, updated AccuEQ room calibration, 384kHs/32-bit DACs, and sound reproduction down to 5Hz.
Both feature seven seven rear HDMI 2.0a inputs, one front HDMI 2.0a input, and two rear HDMI 2.0a outputs, one of which is for a second 4K video zone. Five of the HDMI inputs and both outputs feature HDCP 2.2 copy protection.
Both AVRs feature THX Select 2 Plus amplifier certification, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, DLNA 1.5, and Internet radio and subscription services such as Pandora, Spotify, and SiriusXM. They also offer high-resolution 192kHz/24-bit and 2.8/5.6MHz DSD music decoding, powered-zone 2 and line-out zone three for three-zone audio playback, aluminum front panel, and VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry). VLSC is said to compare digital-input and analog-output signals to remove pulse noise generated during D/A conversion and thus deliver clearer more accurate sound.
The $1,299 model is rated at 7×135 watts with two channels driven into 8 ohms from 20Hz-20kHz with 0.08 percent THD. The $1,599 model steps up to 7×140 watts.
In unveiling the $499 TX-8160 networked stereo receiver, the company said it is adding built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to a networked stereo receiver for the first time. The TX-8160 will join the networked 8050, which features wired Ethernet and lacks built-in Bluetooth.
Other key TX-8160 features include Windows 8 certification, DLNA 1.5, AirPlay, playback of 192/24 and 2.8/5.6MHz DSD music files, moving-magnet phono stage, zone-two preouts for any source including Internet radio, Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad USB port, playback of music files stored on USB mass-storage devices, and 2×80-watt output with two channels driven into 8 ohms with 0.1 percent THD.
