Events: Onkyo Dolby Atmos Product Event

Today (11/12/2014) I attended the Dolby Atmos / Onkyo product introduction event at Toyama Philippines at West Avenue, Philippines.  This event was to introduce the newest Onkyo products as well as serve as a primer for Dolby Atmos.

Most of the products presented by Onkyo supported Dolby Atmos in one form or another.  Hi-resolution audio as well as the new AccuEQ calibration feature was also included in some of the products.  Of course, 4K is already a given, and Bluetooth is now a standard in most of the products.

Since Onkyo is well-known for its audio video receivers (AVR), presented first was its newest batch of AVR's:

Onkyo TX-SR333:

• Entry level 5.1 receiver with 110 watts per channel
• Bluetooth support with Music Optimiser (improves music coming from Bluetooth sources)
• Phase Matching Bass for clearer vocals with bass
• 6 HDMI 2.0 inputs allows more sources to be connected to the receiver

Onkyo TX-NR535:

• Network 5.2 receiver with 115 watts per channel
• Supports network/Internet applications such as Spotify
• Includes high resolution audio support
• Features Onkyo-exclusive AccuEQ room calibration technology

Onkyo TX-NR636:

• Middle-of-the-line Network AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos Support 
• Provides 7.2 channel support at 165 watts per channel
• Supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 for 4k protected content
• Built-in WIFI and Bluetooth connectivity 
• Customised capacitors and transformers provide high-current, low-impedance

Onkyo TX-NR737:

• Network AV receiver with THX Select2 Plus certification
• Provides Dolby Atmos and 7.2 channel support at 95 watts per channel
• Multi-Zone Audio control via Onkyo App
• DSD high resolution support 

Onkyo TX-NR838:

• Network AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos Support and THX Select2 Plus
• 7.2 Channel support at 130 watts per channel
• Pure Analogue Patch support bypasses digital stages for high quality analogue output
• Digital Processing Crossover improves audio quality by managing crossover frequencies
• Provides HDMI Zone 2 

Onkyo TX-NR1030:

• Network 9.2 AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos Support and THX Select2 Plus
• 135 Watts per channel support
• Allows Dolby 7.2.2 (the last .2 is for Dolby Atmos height speakers)
• 3 HDMI Output for Multizone Video
• Internal components are separated, for greater noise isolation

Onkyo TX-NR3030:

• Network 11.2 AV Receiver with DOlby Atmos SUpport and THX Select2 Plus
• 134 Watts Per channel 
• Support for Dolby Atmos 7.2.4 (4 height speakers)
• "Single Box" Full Dolby Atmos 7.2.4 support

Onkyo PR-SC5530:

• Network 11.2 AV Controller/Preamplifier with Dolby Atmos Support
• THX Ultra2 Plus Certification

For ease of integration into existing speaker setups, Onkyo is featuring the SKH-410 Dolby Atmos-Enabled Speaker System.  These speakers are placed on top of front speakers, in lieu of top/ceiling speakers, giving users Dolby Atmos experience without having to conduct major renovations to their existing home theater setup.

For a quick way to get into the Dolby Atmos experience, Onkyo has two home theater systems:

Onkyo HT-S7705

• 5.1.2 Channel Network Home Theater Package
• 115 Watts per channel with HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 support
• WIFI / Network Support providing Internet Enabled Apps like Spotify
• AccuEQ Room Calibration Technology

Onkyo HT-S9700THX

• 7.1 Channel Network Home Theater Package with THX Integrated System Plus Certification
• 4k Upscaling with Qdeo Technology

Onkyo is introducting some audio-centric products, such as their Onkyo C-N7050 Network CD Player:

• CD Player plus Network Player integrated into one package
• Supports high resolution audio such as FLAC, WAV and DSD at 192kHz / 24 bit
• 32-bit Burr-Brown Digital to Analogue Converter allows for better playback of digital and CD files
• Allows functionality via Android and IOS apps

Another product I'm personally excited about is their portable Digital to Analogue Converter / Headphone Amplifier Onkyo DAC-HA200:

• Connects to your Android and IOS smartphones via USB/Lightning connectors.
• App support allows DSD file playback
• Charges via USB with an 8 hour battery life
• Works as a USB sound device for both Mac and PC, allowing you to take advantage of the HA200's superior DAC for better quality playback of digital audio files
• Also supports Optical input
• Greater emphasis is placed on the physical design of the HA200, allowing greater portability

Last, but not the least, is the Onkyo CA-265 Mini HIFI System:

• Stereo System 
• Supports Bluetooth and NFC
• Allows access of files in USB storage devices
• FM Tuner and Front Loading CD Player
• Comes in Five Colours: Black, Blue, White, Red, and Yellow

Once the product introduction was out of the way, we were given an introduction to Dolby Atmos.  Some key points:

• Object-based instead of channel based.  Older Dolby Technologies support channel based which simulated directional audio by manipulating the different channels (left, right, centre, rear left/right, etc.).  Dolby Atmos, aside from providing height speakers, switches to the object-based system, allowing for better positioning of sound sources (not being tied up with the 5-7 channels).  This allows for a more nuanced rendering of positional audio
• Dolby Atmos is gaining great traction both in movie studios and consumer electronic brands, some interesting facts:
• There are currently 10 Dolby Atmos cinemas in the Philippines
• Worldwide, there are 750 Dolby Atmos screens across over 40 countries
• There are currently over 200 movie titles supporting Dolby Atmos 
• Dolby Atmos has over 150 partners, showing a remarkable acceptance of Dolby Atmos technology within the industry
• In home theatres, common configurations consists of 5.1.2 channels, that is, 5 speakers, 1 subwoofer and 2 height speakers.  On higher end setups, we typically have 7.2.4 (Surround Back Left/Right and 4 height speakers).  As an alternative, we have 3.1.2 and 2.1.2 setups.
• Dolby Atmos provides downward compatibility with Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus.  This allows existing systems to use Dolby Atmos Bluray Discs to play back in existing equipment.  Similarly, with the addition of Dolby Atmos speakers like the Onkyo SKH-410 or dedicated ceiling speakers, home theatre owners can utilise their existing setup and, with minimal upgrades, experience Dolby Atmos.
• Lastly, Dolby Atmos allows scalability, as home theater owners can start with as little as 5 speakers and move up to 11 as their budgets (and receivers) permit.

We were shown a few demo clips afterwards, but it mostly consisted of the Dolby Atmos introductory clips that are usually shown before Dolby Atmos supported movies are shown.

We had a short Question and Answer session, Manoj from Powertrip was there to ask a few key questions:

Mostly about height-speaker placement as well as installation guides for Dolby Atmos.

Of course, what's a good product launch without prizes, and there were prizes aplenty: Onkyo IEM's and an Onkyo TX-NR838 was being given away.  Of course, I didn't win anything (typical).  Congratulations to the winner (whoever you are):

At least there was food:

And loot:

It was a very informative event, at least as far as Onkyo products were concerned. I do wish the event had more coverage on Dolby Atmos, particularly on actual demo materials.  As it is, I can't wait to watch that Bluray Disc (with Atmos Support) but I'll probably have to wait a bit longer until I can get to try it on a home Dolby Atmos setup.