Upper Saddle River,
N.J. — Onkyo today introduced four new home-theater-in-a-box systems,
including its first networking models, as well as a new home theater speaker
system, an upgraded mid-line A/V receiver, and its first 3D Blu-Ray player.
The company has
expanded its premium home theater lineup from three models to four, consisting
of the entry level HT-S6400, and the Ethernet network-capable HT-S7400,
HT-S8400 and HT-S9400THX.
The top three models
support streaming PC audio and Internet radio from services such as Pandora,
Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Mediafly, Last fm, and
vTuner and provide compatibility with Windows 7 and DLNA. The Internet
connection greatly simplifies the process of providing future updates to the
receiver’s firmware, Onkyo said.
The same three
models also include the new Marvell Qdeo 4K video upscaling processor for use
with future higher resolution video displays.
The networking
models can also take advantage of Onkyo’s free Remote App for iPod, iPhone, or
iPad to control the A/V receiver. All these models are also compatible with the
recently announced UWF-1 Wireless USB Adapter that provides an IEEE 802.11b/g/n
connection to access music on a home network.
All four models have
a front-panel USB port that offers a direct digital connection for an iPod or
iPhone, along with support for audio playback from USB mass-storage devices.
As with previous
HTiB lineups, the top-of-the-line 7.1-channel HT-S9400THX is THX Certified and
includes THX approved speakers. The HT-S8400 includes a 7.1-channel slim floor
standing speaker package with 41-inch high front speakers, while the HT-S7400
uses a more-compact 5.1 speaker package. All four systems include powered
subwoofers.
The entry HT-S6400
uses a new 5.1-channel speaker set that includes a powered subwoofer and
matching gloss-finished front, center, and surround speakers made from a
high-density resin designed for maximum rigidity and minimum vibration. The
curved shape of the speaker cabinets helps to counteract standing waves,
ensuring sound output with greater fidelity, the company said.
The speaker system
will also be sold separately as the SKS-HT690.
The HT-S7400,
HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX will be available in May with suggested retail prices
of $799, $899 and $1,099 respectively. The HT-S6400 and SKS-HT690 will follow
in July with MSRPs of $699 and $449 respectively.
Onkyo also announced
late April deliveries of its 7.2-channel TX-NR709 network home theater
receiver. Like it’s predecessor, the TX-NR708, it has full networking
capabilities to support streaming PC audio and Internet radio, adding Last.fm
to its roster of Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker,
Mediafly, and vTuner. It is also has compatibility with Windows 7 and DLNA,
front panel USB, WRAT amplifiers, and a broad suite of audio processing from
Dolby, DTS, and Audyssey.
The TX-NR709 has
been upgraded with the new Marvell Qdeo 4k video upscaling processor, Audyssey
MultEQ XT advanced room correction technology, dual subwoofer outputs, dual
HDMI outputs and one additional HDMI inputs for a total of eight front and
rear. It can also take advantage of Onkyo’s free Remote App for iPod, iPhone,
or iPad to control the A/V receiver and it is compatible with the recently
announced UWF-1 Wireless USB Adapter. The TX-NR709 will have a suggested retail
price of $899.
Onkyo also
introduced its first 3D Blu-Ray Player, the BD-SP309. The BD-SP309 also
supports Internet radio and video on demand via Pandora, Netflix and Vudu. The
player upscales standard DVD sources to 1080p. Its HDMI interface supports
lossless studio sound quality of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential
for Blu-ray Disc, and it adds two USB ports. It will be available in May with a
suggested retail price of $249.
