Once again, Onkyo is teasing us with a Japanese-market HTIB designed with an upgrade path in mind. This really looks like a multichannel version of the company's 2.1-channel HTX-22D, and that's not a bad start. The WAVIO GXW-2.1HD features 5 x 30-Watts for the speakers, with 60-Watts set aside for the integral subwoofer. The pair of included bookshelf speakers feature 8-cm and 2-cm drivers, and the subwoofer is a 16-cm affair. There's a pair of HDMI 1.3a inputs and a single output, and onboard processing includes Audyssey's 2EQ and Dynamic EQ tweaks, DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD; Onkyo has even kindly included DTS Surround Sensation to keep you virtually, um, surrounded until you add in more speakers. All in all, a pretty good way to start your system. Again, it's only for Japan right now, with a price of ¥54,800 ($506 US). [Warning: PDF Link]

[Via TVSnob]

Truth be told, we knew this gem was waiting in Sony's pocket, but it finally came clean and made things official over in Europe. The 2.1 BRAVIA DAV-F200 home theater system features S-Master digital amplification, which delivers a potent 135-watts of power to each speaker (including the subwoofer). The firm also threw in its S-Force Front Surround technology to help convince your mind that 2.1 is really 5.1, and as for the integrated DVD player, it plays nice with MP3 / photo / DivX discs, too. Better still, the unit includes 1080p upscaling over HDMI along with a built-in USB port for listening to WMA / AAC files, and there's even optical / coaxial digital inputs for other external sources. Regrettably, there's no word on a price nor US availability, but we can say for certain that those across the pond can claim their own this June.

[Via Pocket-lint]

Seriously, Onkyo's recent flurry of HT-related releases should be able to satisfy most anyone's requirements. But greedy gadget-hounds that we are, we'd like to see the BASE-V20HD system announced for Japan arrive here in the US. It's a HTIB starter system with an upgrade path already planned out. Start yourself out with the core of the system: your entry fee of ¥92,400 ($880) nets a compact 5-channel, 30-Watt receiver with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA support, DTS Surround Sensation and Audyssey DynamicEQ; a 60-Watt sub unit; and two small bookshelf speakers. Then, when you get the yen (ahem) for true surround, add in a D-108C center channel (¥12,600 / $120) and two additional D-108M speakers (¥9,450 / $90) for rear channel duty. Sounds interesting to us, but we'll just have to keep hoping Onkyo brings this setup stateside.

Not content with dropping a few new HTIB systems and an all new receiver, Onkyo is apparently delivering a 2.1-channel home audio system, too. The HTX-22D, while not adequate for surround sound purists, may be just the thing for apartment dwellers and movie lovers on a budget. It's said to be the first system to feature DTS' CES-announced Surround Sensation feature, and it also boasts a built-in display on the powered subwoofer. You'll also find a trio of HDMI ports (two in, one out) and support for a smattering of audio codecs. Head on down to the read link for the full list of specs, and keep an eye for these to land across the pond in May for £300 ($590).

[Thanks, Steve]

For a fair majority of you out there, this could easily be the first time you've ever heard of Razer's own 2.1-channel enthusiast speaker system. But if you've been in the market for a swank new setup to pair with your computer or gaming rig, here's to hoping it won't be the last. To bring you up to speed, this uniquely designed, THX-certified set was originally trumpeted at CES 2007, but curiously, it soon fell off the map just as quickly as it had arrived. Fast-forward a dozen months, and sure enough, it made yet another entry at the very same trade show -- this time at THX's own booth. Needless to say, these three speakers have taken their sweet time in coming to market, but were they worth the wait? Click on to find out.