Onkyo Reimagined: The Brand Reveals Big Plans for 2025 and Beyond

(December 18, 2024) Onkyo is prepping for the new year with a reimagined brand identity, renewed focus, and a promise of innovative new products. Yesterday, the brand, long known as a pillar in the premium audio category, revealed its forthcoming transformation to media through an online event. Blending its heritage with a modernized approach aimed at appealing to both loyalists and a new generation of audio enthusiasts, Onkyo will use CES 2025 in Las Vegas to debut an array of fresh products, including amp and preamp separates along with speakers, all of which can be partially seen in a new teaser trailer.

The company's roots run deep, dating back to its founding in post-war Japan by Takeshi Godai. Over the decades, Onkyo has built a reputation for crafting high-quality, precision-engineered audio solutions that resonate with audiophiles and home theater fans alike. In recent years, however, it's faced challenges that led to its acquisition by Premium Audio Company and Voxx International in 2021. Now, under new leadership and with a revitalized direction, Onkyo is poised to reassert itself as a leader in AV.

A new logo, described as a balance between traditional and modernity, reflects the brand’s updated identity: confident, professional, and in tune with contemporary aesthetics. Paired with a refreshed tone and marketing strategy, Onkyo says it's positioning itself to connect emotionally with its audience while maintaining the technical excellence that has defined its products for decades.

Perhaps the most exciting news is Onkyo’s return to product categories that have long defined its reputation. The teaser trailer released alongside PR materials hints at amplifier and pre-amplifier separates that appear to blend modern touches with a classic feel. Alongside these separates, Onkyo plans to reintroduce a home speaker series and, potentially, other advanced specialty electronics, signaling a broadened product portfolio designed to cater to both casual listeners and premium hi-fi enthusiasts.

The company has also invested heavily in its Osaka-based Premium Audio Company Technology Center (PACTC), a hub of innovation where engineers and technicians with decades of experience collaborate to push the boundaries of audio engineering. This facility will play a central role in developing Onkyo’s next-generation products and ensuring they meet the high standards the brand is known for.

Onkyo’s transformation extends beyond products. Collaborations with iconic brands like Klipsch and partnerships with entertainment giants such as Marvel Television underscore its commitment to staying relevant in a rapidly evolving market, ultimately appealing to new customer bases. Additionally, new marketing strategies, including influencer partnerships and a focus on social media engagement, aim to create a vibrant community around the brand.

We'll publish information on Onkyo's new models as soon as it becomes available, which will likely be the opening day of CES 2025.

Related Reading:

• Onkyo, Pioneer, Elite, and Integra Announce New Firmware Updates: Fresh Features for Audiophiles and Home Theater Enthusiasts
• How Does Klipsch's Dirac Capable Flexus Core 300 Soundbar Actually Sound? We've Got Details and a First Impression Review
• Onkyo and Dirac Strengthen Ties, Tease What's to Come
• Premium Audio Company Releases Firmware Update for Its Flagship Receiver Lineup - Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, and Elite
• Premium Audio Company's Re-Hire of Rob Vieira is a Big Deal for the Company's AVR Brands and Enthusiasts, Alike

 

[tjcinnamon]

Would love if they added a non-Dirac EQ option. Something with flexibility. Audyssey MQX and regular with the mobile app or MiniDSP with 8 channels or less….

I’ve come to appreciate home rolling and Dirac is incredibly buggy.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I highly doubt that we'll see that. They are all in with Dirac, and I'd assume we'll continue to see that relationship pushed further with new products next year.

What are you finding buggy with Dirac? Is it the phone app?

 

[Mike Schramm]

Exciting stuff. I really like my current Onkyo and the value/performance ratio the company puts forth. For whatever reason I’ve always felt they were a step behind Denon/Marantz, I hope this levels the playing field.

 

[Todd Anderson]

That’s not a “for whatever reason” feeling. It’s legit. They were a hot number because they offered Audyssey, but took a massive hit about 10 years ago when hdmi board failures became a proverbial monkey on the back.

That really hurt Onkyo’s reputation.

Then, move forward to roughly 2016/17, and financial issues forced them to sever ties with Audyssey. AccuEQ and FireConnect became features, neither were accepted by enthusiasts, and they really started floundering. Then financial issues clamped down. There was a 2 year period where the company was on life support and nothing of consequence hit the market.

It’s really a case of the mighty falling and rising again. This latest crop of gear is great.

 

[Mike Schramm]

That's really interesting. I knew they had Audyssey and dropped it, but I wasn't aware of why. Makes sense that it would be for financial reasons. I picked up my RZ830 in '19 for only $600, which a comparable Denon would have legitimately been twice that price. Granted, the RZ830 crapped out on me, while still under warranty), so Onkyo replaced it with an RZ840, which I have had since.

I do wish it had Audyssey. I have no experience with it at all so I wonder how much of a difference it would make. However, I've got things as manually calibrated as I can with REW, so to my ears everything sounds great. Add that to the $600 price and I'm pretty satisfied.

Very excited for the new crop!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Mike, taking time to properly set up your system has probably gotten you much closer to ideal than a scenario where you didn't do that and solely relied on auto-EQ.

Here's the good news: because you went to CEDIA, you've heard professionally calibrated systems. You have a good baseline to guide your ears (which are probably already highly in tune with what sounds good).

Could Audyssey get you further in the bass region?? Maybe. No guarantees, tho. Keep riding that RZ840!

 

[tjcinnamon]

I highly doubt that we'll see that. They are all in with Dirac, and I'd assume we'll continue to see that relationship pushed further with new products next year.

What are you finding buggy with Dirac? Is it the phone app?

No calibrations yield the same results. The issue they had for year with the “not enough data for measurement”. It’s a black box and youre stuck with what they give you for delays and trims (depending on the SKU).

I’ve used it since 2017. It had a few good runs of non-bugginess but overall it’s been terribly buggy for years.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Hmmm... I've had Dirac for a very long time with my miniDSP, HTP-1, NAD M33, and StormAudio (with DLART). I can't remember it ever being buggy for me. It has worked beautifully, and I would not own a processor in my main audio system without it.

I don't ever remember getting an error "not enough data for measurement."

Dirac is implemented differently by the manufacturers, so issues are likely not Dirac's fault as much as the manufacturer not providing enough processing power for it or some other issue that is not handled correctly.

Delays and trims can be adjusted if the manufacturer allows it... that's not on Dirac... it's up to the manufacturer.

If you are measuring different locations, I can see where you may not get the same results because it is nearly impossible to get the mic in the exact precise location every time you move it. I usually just measure my one primary listening position for several reasons that suit me best. The only reason I remeasure is because I change something (speakers, subs, etc) so it may be a different calibration result. This is normal and should be the same for any auto-EQ system.

 

[tjcinnamon]

Hmmm... I've had Dirac for a very long time with my miniDSP, HTP-1, NAD M33, and StormAudio (with DLART). I can't remember it ever being buggy for me. It has worked beautifully, and I would not own a processor in my main audio system without it.

I don't ever remember getting an error "not enough data for measurement."

Dirac is implemented differently by the manufacturers, so issues are likely not Dirac's fault as much as the manufacturer not providing enough processing power for it or some other issue that is not handled correctly.

Delays and trims can be adjusted if the manufacturer allows it... that's not on Dirac... it's up to the manufacturer.

If you are measuring different locations, I can see where you may not get the same results because it is nearly impossible to get the mic in the exact precise location every time you move it. I usually just measure my one primary listening position for several reasons that suit me best. The only reason I remeasure is because I change something (speakers, subs, etc) so it may be a different calibration result. This is normal and should be the same for any auto-EQ system.

I had the NAD 758v3, the Denon 4700, then Denon 6800. Delays can be modified on the Denon without bass control but the other modules don’t allow it.

The calibration results are all over the map and I regularly check AVS Dirac forums just to keep up with things. I also only measure one seated position with no more than a radius of 1’.

I’ve even left the mic alone and will get different delays. Another time, I had delays that were .1ms different, I barely moved the mic by 1cm or less and it moved it by over 1ms.

Which matters for the stereo phantom center. It’s easy to hear that it’s not centered.

The past 9 months, I haven’t been able to reliably complete a calibration due to the windows issue they’ve been having and the old CEO even addressed that on a video. Now I’ve only tried a few times because getting the calibration correct is such a pain. I bought a umik 2 which has its own internal clock and I understand in 3.11 they took over gain control from the OS.

Does Storm allow you to change the delays with DL-ART?

The only reason I remain so invested in Dirac is DL-ART but it’s my understanding that’s a ways off because they can’t get Bass control to work reliably (ironically on Onkyo/Pioneer gear).

Also, what are your impressions of ART? I have tried to home roll something using a minidsp and delay tool. It’s a proof of concept, so I haven’t been able to finish it.

Home rolled Dirac ART - Experiment

www.avsforum.com

I’m really big on active cancelation ever since my Polk L800’s blew my mind (which is why my phantom center is so pronounced)!

 

[FargateOne]

I had the NAD 758v3, the Denon 4700, then Denon 6800. Delays can be modified on the Denon without bass control but the other modules don’t allow it.

The calibration results are all over the map and I regularly check AVS Dirac forums just to keep up with things. I also only measure one seated position with no more than a radius of 1’.

I’ve even left the mic alone and will get different delays. Another time, I had delays that were .1ms different, I barely moved the mic by 1cm or less and it moved it by over 1ms.

Which matters for the stereo phantom center. It’s easy to hear that it’s not centered.

The past 9 months, I haven’t been able to reliably complete a calibration due to the windows issue they’ve been having and the old CEO even addressed that on a video. Now I’ve only tried a few times because getting the calibration correct is such a pain. I bought a umik 2 which has its own internal clock and I understand in 3.11 they took over gain control from the OS.

Does Storm allow you to change the delays with DL-ART?

The only reason I remain so invested in Dirac is DL-ART but it’s my understanding that’s a ways off because they can’t get Bass control to work reliably (ironically on Onkyo/Pioneer gear).

Also, what are your impressions of ART? I have tried to home roll something using a minidsp and delay tool. It’s a proof of concept, so I haven’t been able to finish it.

Home rolled Dirac ART - Experiment

www.avsforum.com

I’m really big on active cancelation ever since my Polk L800’s blew my mind (which is why my phantom center is so pronounced)!

I have Arcam AVR21 and agree with quite all your post.
It appears to me that Art is dealyed because we have prooved that a unique DLBC software in multiple brands isn't reliable. Arcam/Jbl are stuck with a 2 years old firmware version with important bugs in it and no fixes seem to come soon. Yesterday I pointed an Avs member (Denon or marantz don't know) that his DLBC results inverted the polarity of one speaker among a group of 2! Etc. Etc.
@Sonnie Parker I understand what you Dirac itself is goog, but implementd in many brands without certification approval procedure is, in my mind, a mistake from Dirac.

 

[kevinp]

That's really interesting. I knew they had Audyssey and dropped it, but I wasn't aware of why. Makes sense that it would be for financial reasons. I picked up my RZ830 in '19 for only $600, which a comparable Denon would have legitimately been twice that price. Granted, the RZ830 crapped out on me, while still under warranty), so Onkyo replaced it with an RZ840, which I have had since.

I do wish it had Audyssey. I have no experience with it at all so I wonder how much of a difference it would make. However, I've got things as manually calibrated as I can with REW, so to my ears everything sounds great. Add that to the $600 price and I'm pretty satisfied.

Very excited for the new crop!

Reliability and support have been an issue with Onkyo for some time. I’ve had a NR1030 that I liked but, it died of HDMI failure. My current RZ50 has been in for repair 4-5 times and it’s less than a year old. Onkyo has yet to agree to replace it or even the amp board they’ve identified as the problem.