Onkyo plans June shipments of its first two AVRs to support two object-based surround formats: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
DTS:X will be available as a firmware upgrade sometime later this year.
Onkyo’s $699-suggested 7.2-channel networked TX-NR646 AVR
The TX-NR646, due in early June at a suggested $699, and the TX-NR747, due in late June at a suggested of $999, will also be the brand’s first AVRs with HDMI 2.0a inputs and outputs, which pass through high dynamic range (HDR) video formats to a compatible TV.
Both are networked 7.2-channel models that support a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos or DTS:X speaker configuration. An outboard amp can’t be added to support a 5.1.4 speaker configuration, a spokesperson said.
Both models also feature HDCP 2.2 copy protection on three of eight HDMI inputs and both HDMI outputs to pass through copy-protected UltraHD 4K video from future 4K IP set-top boxes and 4K Blu-ray players to 4K TVs equipped with HDCP 2.2.
The AVRs are also the company’s first with HDMI/HDCP2.2 inputs and outputs that support full-bandwidth 18Gbps HDMI instead of 10.2Gbps HDMI. The change enables the AVRs to pass through 4K video at 60fps with 4:4:4 color sampling, a step up from 4:2:0 color sampling.
They’re also the company’s first AVRs with Apple AirPlay and first with 384kHz/32-bit DACs.
To find out more about lower-priced AVRs planned and more specs for the current AVR line, click here to visit TWICE.com.
