Being surrounded by audio is a good thing. Being surrounded by audio products can make you a little dizzy
We've seen a lot of A/V receivers boasting immersive, 3D-like audio lately. However, Onkyo has debuted a pair of products that will really stand out in that crowd. That's because the TX-NR646 and TX-NR747 pack in a whole lot of immersive audio options. Each of the newly announced 7.2-channel A/V receivers feature support for Dolby Atmos out the box. That said, Onkyo is also planning to add the DTS:X format later this year via a firmware upgrade.
The TX-NR646 promises 170 watts per channel, with the TX-NR747 pumping that up to 175 watts per channel. Each one has two 32-bit DSP engines, the new 384 kHz/32-bit AK4458 DAC from Asahi-Kasei, eight 4K/60 Hz-ready HDMI 2.0a inputs and two outputs, as well as dedicated HDCP 2.2-compliant terminals for 4K streaming and Ultra HD Blu-ray with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio (due later this year).
If those audio goodies aren't enough, know that both models also support High Dynamic Range (HDR) color and the 21:9 cinema-aspect ratio. The TX-NR747 also adds in THX Select2 Plus certification.
In case you want to add even more audio into your setup, the TX-NR646 and TX-NR747 will support WiFi, AirPlay and Bluetooth wireless audio. That means you can stream stored content and streaming services using the Onkyo Remote app, as well as through the Spotify app. Another audio option is DLNA, which can deliver 192/24 FLAC and DSD 5.6 MHz Hi-Res Audio files.
Other features on both include a phono equalizer input, new AccuEQ room calibration, and more. Of course, the real hook is the support for these object-based audio formats, which use sound mixing techniques to assign audio to objects versus specific channels. The end result delivers sound from almost every angle, for an immersive, lifelike listening experience.
The recently announced DTS:X can support a 5.1.2-channel configuration, adding in height channels, whether those are created by in-ceiling speakers, front/rear height channels, and even Dolby Atmos-ready speaker systems. Another cool perk is that dialog in DTS:X can be mixed as a discrete sound object, so it can be raised or lowered independently from other elements in the soundtrack. Also, DTS:X incorporates Neural:X, the latest spatial remapping technology from DTS.
"We're confident that DTS:X represents the most convenient and effective way for movie lovers to experience immersive multidimensional sound," said Kevin Doohan, DTS EVP and chief marketing officer. "Introducing next-generation home entertainment to consumers is only possible when hardware and software partners collaborate closely. We can't wait for Onkyo's customers to experience the power and realism of DTS:X in their homes."
Onkyo will start selling the TX-NR646 in early June, priced at $699. The TX-NR747 will follow later that month, with an MSRP of $999.
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