Upper Saddle River, N.J. – Onkyo is bringing Dolby Atmos decoding down to a suggested $499 in audio/video receivers, bringing HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 copy protection to $399, and launching its first 5.1.2 speaker package.
The company also unveiled a new Atmos-equipped receiver/speaker package.
Two of three new AVRs announced by the company at a suggested $499 and $599 are Atmos-equipped but not upgradable to DTS:X. The third receiver, priced at $399, lacks Atmos but features HDR-capable HDMI 2.0a inputs, HDCP 2.2 copy protection, and full-bandwidth 18Gbps HDMI.
The two Atmos-equipped AVRs will join two previously announced Atmos-equipped AVRS for 2015: the $699 TX-NR646 and $999 TX-NR747. Both of those models are upgradable to DTS:X via a firmware upgrade due sometime later this year. They also feature HDMI 2.0a, 18Gbps HDMI, and HDCP 2.2.
The two new Atmos AVRs drive 5.1.2 Atmos speaker setups but do not accept add-on two-channel amps to support Atmos 5.1.4 or 7.1.2.
With the three newly announced AVRs, the company is reducing the opening price for built-in Bluetooth to $399 from $499, but the opening price for built-in Wi-Fi and networking goes to $599 from $499.
Here are some product details:
AVRs: The three new AVRs start with the $399 TX-SR343, a 5.1-channel model with revamped input and output terminals that are said to be labeled and illustrated for easy setup. A rear-panel USB port with 5-volt power lets users add wireless HDMI A/V streaming dongles such as Google Chromecast. The AVR also features 192/24 DACs, 4-in/1-out 18Mbps HDMI, HDCP 2.2, virtual surround mode for 2.1-channel setups, and analog-to-HDMI upconversion.
The $499 TX-SR444 steps up to Dolby Atmos, 7.1 channels, AccuEQ automatic room calibration, and InstaPrevue input-source previewing.
At $599, the TX-NR545 steps up to 7.2 channels and adds high-resolution audio support up to 5.6MHz DSD and 192/24 FLAC, built-in Wi-Fi, networking, AirPlay, DLNA, 384kHz/32-bit DACs, six HDMI inputs (three with HDCP 2.2), Aupeo!, Spotify, SiriusXM, Slacker, Pandora, and TuneIn.
The three AVRs do not upscale video to 1080p or 4K.
All are shipping.
Speaker package: The company’s first 5.1.2 speaker package is the $599 SKS-HT594, available at the end of June. The six-piece speaker package includes two-way front speakers with 12cm woofer, 2.5cm balanced-dome tweeter, and up-firing 8cm woofer, which is separately powered by a receiver’s height channel. The package also includes two compact, wall-mountable surround speakers, a two-way center channel, and 120-watt 10-inch subwoofer.
Atmos HTiB: The company’s latest Atmos-equipped receiver/speaker package is the $799 HT-S5800, due at the end of June. Onkyo launched its first two such Atmos receiver/speaker packages last year at $899 and $1,199.
The 5.1.2-channel package ships the end of June with wall-mountable Dolby Atmos 5.1.2 speaker system and 120-watt subwoofer.
