A few weeks ago we reported about Onkyo's spring collection of budget receivers. Then it was especially the largest of the two - TX-NR545 that surprised by having grown into an Atmos-compatible 7.1-receiver. Or 5.1.2 as it's called in Atmos terms.
Now the time has come to the next two receivers in Onkyo's hierarchy. And then we at the same time move up from the obvious budget class, and up to lower- and middle region of the middle class. And it is perhaps especially the smaller of these that has a special interest, since it`s predecessors always has been a notoriously volume model with high level of equipment in terms of price.
We are of course talking about TX-NR646, which has a name easily as predictable as we some time in the spring 2020 is going to write about the very recent model TX-NR696. We should not, however, be equally nosy when it comes to predicting what innovations it will hold, compared to the 2019 model. At least there are some things in life we have to look forward to ...
TX-NR646 and TX-NR747 In other words have good traditions to follow up, and the big news in this year's models is that in addition to the 3D format Dolby Atmos is also going to support DTS: X, which is DTS his answer in 3D sound. DTS surprised many by being extremely late in relation to the competition from rival Dolby, and the dark horse Auro Technologies` Auro-3D.
DTS:X is not available at sales start, but will be available by using a firmware upgrade during the year. But unlike Denon and Marantz, who has also promised update for DTS:X as an FW-upgrade on models higher up in the hierarchy, there will be no additional costs for Onkyo`s customers. While owners of Denon / Marantz will have to pay ca. 200 Euro for this upgrade. Onkyo marks itself as champion of 3D sound in the moderate middle class.
But the two new middle class receivers are of course not just about DTS: X. Their predecessors are already very well equipped in the exercises network and wireless connection, where the only exercise one could come to miss with a reasonably degree of reasonableness, was AirPlay. The opportunity of missing this will not come with the two new models TX-NR646 and TX-NR747. Here also AirPlay is on board, similar to their smaller brother TX-NR545.
Among other news we can mention an improved AccuEQ room corerection system, which is Onkyo's in-house room correction introduced in last year's generation of AV receivers. Both models also got new DACs that supports resolution up to 32bit / 384 kHz. They also increased the number of HDCP-compatible HDMI ports to 3-in and 2-out, against 1 of each in the previous generation.
We take a look at the detailed specifications of the new models, starting with the smallest - TX-NR646.
TX-NR646
ADVANCED FEATURES
• New DTS:X™ New Generation Sound Format Ready
• Supports Dolby Atmos® Format for Exciting Multidimensional Sound
• 4K/60 Hz-Capable 4:4:4 HDMI® 2.0a Terminals for UltraHD
Entertainment*1
• Supports HDCP 2.2 for Future 4K/Full HD Video Streaming and
Broadcast*2
• Built-in Wi-Fi® Certified Wireless LAN Capability
• Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR Capability (Compatible Profile: A2DP v1.2,
AVRCP v1.3) with Advanced Music Optimizer DSP Technology
• Internet Radio and Music Streaming Subscription Services Included
(TuneIn Radio, Spotify, and Deezer)*3
• Playback Compressed, Lossless, and Hi-Res Audio via Local Network
(MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, Apple
Lossless, DSD 5.6 MHz, LPCM*4, and Dolby® TrueHD)
• Proprietary AccuEQ Room Calibration with Mic Included
• Advanced Music Optimizer to Improve Compressed Digital Audio
Quality (Bluetooth Audio Included)
• Control and Stream with Free Onkyo Remote Streaming Apps for
iPod touch/iPhone*5 and Android™ Devices*6
• PM Bass Boost for Deep Bass and Clear Mid-Range
• Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Distributed Audio Playback
in Another Room
• Bi-Amping Capability for Front Channels
*1 6G video is supported on HDMI inputs 1/2/3, Main Out, and Sub Out. *2 HDCP 2.2 is
supported on HDMI inputs 1/2/3, Main Out, and Sub Out. *3 Availability of services depends
on region. Some services may require a paid subscription and firmware update. Availability of
third-party services advertised here is accurate at the time of publication, but may be subject
to change without notice. *4 LPCM is supported via DLNA only. *5 Compatible with iPod touch
(3rd generation or later) and iPhone 3GS or later. All models require iOS 4.2 or later. *6 Requires
Android 2.1 or later.
AMPLIFIER FEATURES
• 160 W/Ch (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1% THD, 1 Channel Driven, IEC);
175 W/Ch (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 Channel Driven, JEITA)
• WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
• H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer
• Discrete Output Stage Circuitry
• Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
• PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for
S/PDIF Audio
PROCESSING FEATURES
• HDMI 2.0a Support for 4K/60 Hz, 3D, Audio Return Channel,
DeepColor™, x.v.Color™, LipSync, Dolby Atmos®, Dolby® TrueHD,
DTS:X™, DTS-HD Master Audio™, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD,
Multichannel PCM, and CEC
• Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ Decoding
• AK4458 384 kHz/32-bit DAC (8 Channels x 1)
• Dual 32-bit Digital Signal Processing Engines
• 4 DSP Modes for Gaming: Rock, Sports, Action, and RPG
• Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround Function
• CinemaFILTER™
• Direct Mode
• Double Bass Function
• Non-Scaling Configuration
• A-Form Listening Mode Memory
CONNECTION FEATURES
• 8 HDMI Inputs (1 Front/ 7 Rear) and 2 Outputs
• USB Port
• Mass Storage Class USB Memory Playback Capability
• 2 Component Inputs
• 3 Composite Video Inputs
• 3 Digital Audio Inputs (2 Optical and 1 Coaxial)
• 8 Analog Audio Inputs
• Phono Input for Turntable Connection
• 2 Parallel Subwoofer Pre-Outs
• Location Numbered Speaker Terminal
OTHER FEATURES
• Crossover Adjustment for Each Channel
(40/50/60/70/80/90/100/120/150/200 Hz)
• A/V Sync Control (Up to 500 ms in 10 ms Steps at 48 kHz)
• Graphical Overlaid On-Screen Display (OSD) via HDMI with
Quick Set-Up
• Hybrid Standby Function with HDMI Passthrough
• Smart Grid-Ready
• Tone Control (Bass/Treble)
• 3-Mode Display Dimmer (Normal/Dim/Dimmer)
• 40 FM/AM Random Presets
• Certified with DLNA Version 1.5
• Firmware Updates via Ethernet and USB
• RIHD (Remote Interactive Over HDMI) for System Control
• Preprogrammed RI (Remote Interactive) Remote Control
TX-NR747:
ADVANCED FEATURES
• New DTS:X™ New Generation Sound Format Ready
• Supports New Dolby Atmos® Format for Exciting Multidimensional
Sound
• THX® Select2™ Plus Certified for Theater Reference Sound
• 4K/60 Hz-Capable 4:4:4 HDMI® 2.0a Terminals for UltraHD
Entertainment*1
• Supports HDCP 2.2 for Future 4K/Full HD Video Streaming and
Broadcast*2
• Built-in Wi-Fi® Certified Wireless LAN Capability
• Bluetooth Version 2.1 + EDR Capability (Compatible Profile: A2DP v1.2,
AVRCP v1.3) with Advanced Music Optimizer DSP Technology
• Internet Radio and Music Streaming Subscription Services Included
(TuneIn Radio, Spotify, and Deezer)*3
• Playback Compressed, Lossless, and Hi-Res Audio via Local Network
(MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, Apple
Lossless, DSD 5.6 MHz, LPCM*4, and Dolby® TrueHD)
• Proprietary AccuEQ Room Calibration with Mic Included
• Advanced Music Optimizer to Improve Compressed Digital Audio
Quality (Bluetooth Audio Included)
• Control and Stream with Free Onkyo Remote Streaming Apps for
iPod touch/iPhone*5 and Android™ Devices*6
• PM Bass Boost for Deep Bass and Clear Mid-Range
• Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Outs for Distributed Audio Playback
• Whole House Mode for Synchronized Housewide Audio
• Bi-Amping Capability for Front Channels
*1 6G video is supported on HDMI inputs 1/2/3, Main Out, and Sub Out. *2 HDCP 2.2 is
supported on HDMI inputs 1/2/3, Main Out, and Sub Out. *3 Availability of services depends
on region. Some services may require a paid subscription and firmware update. Availability of
third-party services advertised here is accurate at the time of publication, but may be subject
to change without notice. *4 LPCM is supported via DLNA only. *5 Compatible with iPod touch
(3rd generation or later) and iPhone 3GS or later. All models require iOS 4.2 or later. *6 Requires
Android 2.1 or later.
AMPLIFIER FEATURES
• 175 W/Ch (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1% THD, 1 Channel Driven, IEC);
185 W/Ch (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 Channel Driven, JEITA)
• WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
• H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer
• Discrete Output Stage Circuitry
• Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
• PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for
S/PDIF Audio
PROCESSING FEATURES
• HDMI for 4K/60 Hz Video, 3D, Audio Return Channel, DeepColor™,
x.v.Color™, LipSync, Dolby Atmos®, Dolby® TrueHD, DTS:X™,
DTS-HD Master Audio™, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD,
Multichannel PCM, and CEC
• AK4458 384 kHz/32-bit DAC (8 Channels x 1)
• Dual 32-bit Digital Signal Processing Engines
• 4 DSP Modes for Gaming: Rock, Sports, Action, and RPG
• Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround Function
• Direct Mode
• Double Bass Function
• Non-Scaling Configuration
• A-Form Listening Mode Memory
CONNECTION FEATURES
• 8 HDMI Inputs (1 Front/7 Rear) and 2 Outputs
• USB Port
• Mass Storage Class USB Memory Playback Capability
• 2 Component Video
• 3 Composite Video Inputs
• 3 Digital Audio Inputs (2 Optical and 1 Coaxial)
• 8 Analog Audio Inputs
• Phono Input for Turntable Connection
• 2 Parallel Subwoofer Pre-Outs
• Location Numbered Speaker Terminal
OTHER FEATURES
• Independent Crossover Adjustment for Each Channel
(40/50/60/70/80/90/100/120/150/200 Hz)
• A/V Sync Control (Up to 500 ms in 10 ms Steps at 48 kHz)
• Graphical Overlaid On-Screen Display (OSD) via HDMI with
Quick Set-Up
• Hybrid Standby Function with HDMI Passthrough
• Smart Grid-Ready
• Tone Control (Bass/Treble)
• 3-Mode Display Dimmer (Normal/Dim/Dimmer)
• 40 FM/AM Random Presets
• Certified with DLNA Version 1.5
• Firmware Updates via Ethernet and USB
• RIHD (Remote Interactive Over HDMI) for System Control
• Preprogrammed RI (Remote Interactive) Remote Control
Norwegian distributor of Onkyo er Mono AS.
Read more about TX-NR646 at Onkyo
Read more about TX-NR747 at Onkyo
Also read:TX-SR343 and TX-NR545. New budget receivers from Onkyo push the boundaries of Dolby Atmos.
