Onkyo Announces Six New Offerings
Onkyo just announced their new line of products including four home theater in a box kits (HTiB), a new mid-line receiver, and a 3D Blu-Ray player. None of them have any code names or anything, they all are listed only by their model numbers. Cool. The new HTiB's are the HHT-S6400, HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX. The receiver is the TX-NR709, and the 3D Blu-Ray player is the BD-SP309.
These cool black boxes can do a whiz-bang job at piping all kinds of sound nicely to your home theater system. They all have front panel USB that can interface with the iPod/iPhone as well as standard USB mass-storage devices. All but the lowest priced offering offer ethernet capabilities so that you can stream all manner of online radio through your home's internet connection. Everything from Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Mediafly and more. The Home Theater in a Box systems come with receiver and speakers packaged in a single box, while the TX-NR709 is just the Receiver, but it also has an impressive eight HDMI ports. They developed an iPhone app that works as a remote for any of these. It's free.
The Blu Ray player also supports all of the internet content on-demand services available with the HTiB's and receiver. It can play media off of a variety of storage devices like any of these. Two USB ports provide the connectivity. Read more about blu-ray here. I'd focus on the Slashgear 101 article about what's going on with 3D TV. It'll give you the digs.
UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (4/11/11) — Onkyo, a brand renowned worldwide for quality home entertainment technology, has announced four new packaged home theater systems, including its first with networking capabilities, a new home theater speaker system, upgraded mid-line AV receiver, and an affordably-priced 3D Blu-Ray player.
Home Theater Systems: Onkyo has increased its premium home theater line-up from three models to four, consisting of the HT-S6400, HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX. All four 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. The top three models include Ethernet networking capabilities to support streaming PC audio and Internet radio from the likes of 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. These same three models also include the new Marvell Qdeo 4K video upscaling processor for use with upcoming higher resolution video display.
These 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.
As with previous HTiB lineups, the top-of-the-line 7.1-channel HT-S9400THX is THX Certified and includes THX approved speakers–the reference standard for excellence in home theater sound. The HT-S8400 includes a distinctive 7.1-channel slim floor standing speaker package with high-performance 41-inch high front speakers, while the HT-S7400 uses a more-compact 5.1 speaker package. All of these systems include powered subwoofers.
The HT-S6400 uses brand new 5.1-channel speaker set that includes a powered subwoofer and matching gloss-finished front, center, and surround speakers. These compact—yet reassuringly solid—speakers are made from a new, high- density resin designed for maximum rigidity and minimum vibration. The elegantly curved shape of the speaker cabinets does more than just add a touch of class; it also helps to counteract standing waves, ensuring sound output with greater fidelity. This speaker system will also be sold separately as the SKS-HT690.
The Onkyo HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX will be available in May with Suggested retail prices of $799, $899, and $1099 respectively. The HT-S6400 and SKS-HT690 will follow in July with MSRPs of $699 and $449 respectively.
Onkyo TX-NR709 AV Receiver: Onkyo has 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, powerful 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 Onkyo TX-NR709 will have a suggested retail price of $899.
Onkyo BD-SP309: Onkyo has 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, so you can explore a cornucopia of great audio and video content whenever the mood strikes. With the BD-SP309, standard DVD sources at various resolutions—480p, 720p, or 1080i—can be upscaled to 1080p for playback on a compatible high-definition display. Its HDMI interface supports lossless studio sound quality of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential for Blu-ray Disc. Connectivity on the BD-SP309 is rounded out by two USB ports that let you play media from a variety of storage devices. The Onkyo BD-SP309 will be available in May with a suggested retail price of $249.
Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning products that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.