The guys at Onkyo look like they've been pretty busy. The company just announced seven new products, including speakers, a receiver, a Blu-ray 3D player, and four home-theater-in-a-box sets.
As the company's first Blu-ray 3D player, the BD-SP309 has some catching up to do. It looks like the company knows what they are doing though, including built-in access to services like Pandora, Netflix and VUDU. Of course, the unit can play 3D and 2D Blu-rays, and upscale DVDs up to 1080p. The unit also has two USB ports, which allow you to play back content from other sources.
Onkyo says that the BD-SP309 will start shipping in May, with an MSRP of $249. However, Amazon is currently taking preorders, for $199.
Even though Onkyo is billing its TX-NR709 AV Receiver as a mid-line unit, it's pretty packed with features. The 7.2-channel TX-NR709 can be networked, which means it supports audio streaming from Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Mediafly, and vTuner, as well as other web radio stations and PC audio.
New features include the Marvell Qdeo 4k video upscaling processor, Audyssey MultEQ XT advanced room correction technology, dual subwoofer outputs, dual HDMI outputs and one additional HDMI input -- for a grand total of eight front and rear. Other highlights include support for Windows 7 and DLNA, a front-panel USB port, WRAT amplifiers, and plenty of audio processing from Dolby, DTS, and Audyssey.
If you have the iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, you can also download Onkyo's free Remote App, which provides full control of all of the receiver's functions.
Available late this month, the Onkyo TX-NR709 will have a suggested retail price of $899.
Rounding out the bulk of the new announcements are a slew of new home-theater-in-a-box packages. The HT-S6400, HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX each have a front-panel USB port for easy hookup to an iPod or some type of storage device.
The HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX all have the new Marvell Qdeo 4K video upscaling processor as well as networking features. The latter means you can stream content directly from the likes of Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Slacker, Mediafly, Last fm, vTuner, and other services. Other common features include Windows 7 and DLNA support, as well as the option to add in the Onkyo Remote App.
The cream of the crop is the 7.1-channel HT-S9400THX (MSRP $1099). This unit has both THX certification, as well as THX-approved speakers. The 7.1 HT-S8400 ($899) comes with a distinctive floorstanding speaker package that has 41-inch-high front speakers. The HT-S7400 ($799) is slightly more compact, in a 5.1 package.
At $699, the HT-S6400 is the least expensive of the lot. However, it does have a brand new 5.1-channel speaker set. The compact set is made from a new, high-density resin, boasting minimum vibration. If you're not looking for the receiver part of the package, the speaker set will be sold under the name SKS-HT690 for $449.
The Onkyo HT-S7400, HT-S8400, and HT-S9400THX will all be available in May, with the HT-S6400 and SKS-HT690 shipping in July.
And let the cascade of pre-order links begin...
