Audio Video News

Onkyo today announced that the first AV receivers to be released under the new “Works With Sonos” program will be three mid-priced models from its high-performance RZ Series.

The TX-RZ830 ($1,399), TX-RZ730 ($1,099), and TX-RZ630 ($899) are all 9.2-channel receivers and the top two feature THX Select certification.

Integration into a Sonos wireless ecosystem will require a firmware update — available in early June — to enable Sonos functionality as well as the use of a $349 Sonos Connect amplifier. After a simple setup procedure, the receiver can be controlled via the Sonos app and will work seamlessly within a Sonos ecosystem; it can be grouped with other Sonos devices and will even wake up when a component in the Sonos network is activated.

Rated to deliver 9 x 120 and 9 x 100 watts, respectively, the THX-certified TX-RZ830 and TX-RZ730 are equipped with 11.2-multichannel pre-outs and provide Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing for speaker layouts with up to 7.2.4 channels (with an outboard stereo amp). Both models also support Zone 2 and Zone 3 playback with pre-/line-outs for sharing audio with systems in other rooms.

The TX-RZ630 supports 5.2.4-channel DTS:X or Dolby Atmos speaker layouts and is rated to deliver 9 x 90 watts.

All three receivers feature Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X up-mixing to remap legacy soundtracks for enhanced spatiality through any speaker layout and support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with wireless streaming over AirPlay, Chromecast built-in, DTS Play-Fi, and FlareConnect. Streaming services Tidal, TuneIn, Deezer, and Spotify are also on board and Amazon Music is accessible through the Onkyo Music Control App.

On the video side, the RZ Series receivers support HDMI passthrough of the HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), and Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) formats as well as HDCP 2.2-protected 4K/60p/4:4:4 video.

Other features common to all three receivers include hi-res audio playback up to 24 bits/192 kHz plus DSD 5.6 MHz and 2.8 MHz files, Onkyo’s proprietary AccuEQ Advance acoustic calibration system with AccuReflex processing to improve the performance of systems that use Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers, a phono input, voice control via Google Assistant-enabled devices such as the Google Home speaker, IP control and other custom installation features.

For more information, visit onkyousa.com.