Onkyo Intros Mid-Level Networked Home Theater Systems

June 22, 2012 - HomeAV News, rAVe [PUBS],

Onkyo has introduced two new mid-priced home theater system packages, each combining a network receiver with several 3D-Ready HDMI inputs, high definition audio and video and a set of five or seven surround-sound loudspeakers with a subwoofer. These are Onkyo’s first packaged home theater systems to include InstaPrevue, a new source selection technology that provides a picture-in-picture display of programs available on connected HDMI devices.

The Onkyo HT-S6500 and HT-S7500 are designed to deliver high definition video with a Marvel Qdeo video processor that can upscale low-resolution video to 1080p for conventional high-definition displays, and to 4K for the new higher resolution displays. For HDMI sources, there is automatic decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio high-resolution audio sound tracks to provide fully immersive home theater surround sound. Both systems have built-in networking and USB digital access to a vast array of on-line and digital media resources.

The Onkyo HT-S7500 is 7.1-channel system with two floor-standing front speakers, a dedicated center channel, four compact surround speakers and a 120-watt powered subwoofer. It also includes Dolby ProLogic IIz for the option of a front-height channel. TheHT-S6500 is a 5.1-channel system with more compact speakers and the same subwoofer. Both systems are powered by an 80-watts-per-channel receiver with WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology). It also offers TI Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs on all channels, a 32-bit DSP processing chip and a discrete amplifier design.

The HT-S7500 and HT-S6500 receivers both have HDMI inputs for seven and six source components, respectively, plus ARC (audio return channel ). They also have a direct digital connection for an iPod/iPhone via a front-panel USB Port. This port can also be used with Onkyo’s optional UWF-1 Wireless LAN Adapter as well as the forthcoming UBT-1 USB Bluetooth adapter. Both receivers have connections for analog audio, optical/coaxial digital audio, and component and composite video for legacy source devices.

The Onkyo HT-S7500 has powered Zone 2 and the HT-S6500 has Zone 2 pre-outs.

The Onkyo HT-S7500 and HT-S6500 home theater systems will be available this month with suggested retail prices of $899 and $799, respectively, in the U.S.

To see all the specs on the HT-S7500, click here: http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S7500&class=Systems&p=i

To see all the specs on the HT-S6500, click here: http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S6500&class=Systems&p=i