Onkyo has already introduced the top-end TX-SR876 and TX-NR906 receivers over in the UK, but for USers awaiting word of their stateside release, let us do the honors. Both of the 7.1-channel THX Ultra2 Plus AVRs are now shipping in America, and as for specifications, you're looking at 140- / 145-watts per channel (respectively), audio decoding courtesy of three Texas Instruments Aureus 32-bit DSP chips, internal decoding for "every major sound format in use today," and HQV Reon-VX video upscaling to 1080p. The pain? $1,799 and $2,299 in order of mention.

Onkyo has added the TX-SR876 and TX-NR906 to its list of UK-approved AV receivers, and wisely chose to send them to England clad in black, just like we got here in the US. As we'd expect from the upper end of Onkyo's lineup, the spec list is piled high and includes: 7x200/220-Watts (TX-SR876/TX-NR906), 4xHDMI 1.3a inputs, 2x HDMI 1.3a outputs, ISF video calibration, THX Ultra2 Plus worthiness, HQV Reon-VX video processing and a slew of convenience features we've come to expect in a modern AV receiver. Unique to the TX-NR906 are networking features, a toroidal transformer, and separate transformers for audio and video paths. The Brits get pricing pretty close to the US -- £1,000 ($1,773) and £1,400 ($2,482) for the TX-SR876 and TX-NR906, respectively.

[Thanks, Anthony!]

If a Panasonic prototype plasma and new copy protection spec weren't convincing enough, we'll let the Wireless HD group argue why it's ready to compete with WHDI and all the rest. This summer's big get is Broadcom, ready to promote Wireless HD as a necessary feature in the army of HDTVs and set-top boxes it already powers. The next step to exiting vaporware status? How about the addition of Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sharp and others ready to adopt the technology. Punch the read link for more reasons to believe, but we'll wait for shipping hardware to decide who makes it past first cut.

Besting its DTR-5.9 sibling, the new DTR-6.9 AV receiver from Integra has earned itself the THX Select2 Plus certification. In fact, it's the first Integra model to meet that spec, which among other things means that the DTR-6.9 packs THX Loudness Plus wizardry for those of us who value our hearing and don't listen at reference levels all the time. As you'd expect from the Onkyo roots, the feature set is solid: 7x100-Watts, four HDMI 1.3a inputs, Faroudja scaling, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA and Audyssey MultiEQ. And because it's an Integra, you also know that custom installers get some niceties as well: multizone audio that can tap into a pair of the 7-channel amplifier section, 12-volt triggers and remote control via ethernet, RS-232 and HDMI. All in all, a nice tidy package for $1,000.

No doubt, Onkyo saves some of its choicest goodies for its home market. We can look past the HTIB systems, but we sure would like to see these full-size speakers cross the pond. Besides, they're a better fit for super-sized U.S. domiciles, right? From the Japanese promo material, we piece together that the D-108E floorstanders come in a wood grain or lacquer finish, pack a pair of 8-cm bass/mid drivers alongside a 2-cm tweeter and reach from 55-Hz to 80-kHz (the last 60-kHz are for the dog, perhaps). Okay, so the speakers won't exactly shake your floorboards with bass, but at least the 901-mm (35-inches) height will place the tweeters close to ear level. And besides, you'll be counting on the SL-A250 subwoofer to fill in the bass. The sub's 20-cm (8-inch) cone and 50-Watt amp span 27- to 200-Hz, which should make for an easy crossover to the mains. Pricing is ¥45,150 ($413) and ¥31,500 ($288) for the D-108E and SL-A250, respectively.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Read - Onkyo D108E [warning: PDF link]
Read - Onkyo SL-A250

Whether to call it a "champagne" or "gold" finish, we're not sure, but Onkyo is definitely making some kind of fashion statement with these receivers. The TX-SA806X is the natural follow-up to last month's TX-SA706X announcement, but then Onkyo went and broke the naming convention with the TX-NA906X receiver. That's some kind of marketing. But the specs on these new 7.1-channel models look good -- typical beefy Onkyo construction is good for 200- and 180-Watts (into a 6-Ohm load) from the NA906X and SA806X models, respectively. Some notables include the Reon HQV video processing, 4-in / 2-out HDMI 1.3a ports and DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD decoding. We'll let you read on through for all the spec details, but with these shipping later this month, we hope that TX-SR906 and TX-SR806 models for export can't be far away. Pricing for these two is ¥367,500 ($3,300) and ¥262,500 ($2,400). [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via CyberTheater]

Ask three HD-die hards about their favorite remote, and you're likely to get five different answers. We're a tough bunch, and there's no single remote that Onkyo could throw in the box with its receivers that would make everyone happy (just check reader comments for evidence). But partnering up with well-known remote control manufacturer Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) certainly can't hurt, right? If things go according to plan, UEI's library of over 350,000 functions across the manufacturer spectrum should make system integration possible. Best of all, the new universal remotes are slated to ship with a range of Onkyo's receivers -- from entry level to high end -- so you don't have to buy into the pricey part of Onkyo's lineup. As always, we applaud anything that makes the couch-potato lifestyle a little more accessible.

Check it, Onkyo fans -- your main outfit has just revealed two new AV receivers and a pair of HTIB systems, so we're going to get right down to it. Both the $1,099 TX-SR806 (pictured) and $899 TX-SR706 receivers are THX certified and include Faroudja DCDi video processing capabilities, Audyssey room acoustics correction and Dynamic EQ, and Onkyo's Music Optimizer. You'll also find at least four HDMI 1.3a ports and 1080p upscaling. Moving on, we've got the $899 HT-S7100 and $799 HT-S6100 HTIB systems, each of which include a receiver, seven-channel loudspeaker system, a powered subbie and an obligatory iPod dock. Check the read link for more details and ship dates.

It has been quite awhile since Onkyo's Integra branch delivered any new wares, but with IFA and CEDIA both just around the bend, it follows logic to see some fresh faces begin to emerge. What you're peering at above is the DHC-9.9, a potent AV receiver with 7.1-channel Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio support, HDMI 1.3a ports, an HQV processor, Ethernet jack, IR extender port and an RS-232 control socket. No telling when it'll head stateside, but those in Japan can add one to their home theater for ¥231,000 ($2,164).

[Via ElectronicsInfoOnline, thanks Mike]

Oh yeah, Onkyo's definitely going to dish out a Blu-ray player of its own later this year, but it can't just sit idly until that one has spent adequate time in the oven, now can it? Say hello to the DV-SP406, a 1080p upscaling DVD player that delivers upconverted content over HDMI. You won't find SACD / DVD-Audio compatibility here, but you will find coaxial / optical digital audio ports, a USB socket for loading up multimedia files and a 180MHz / 14-bit video DAC. Not too much else to gloat about beyond that, but considering the $125 street price (available now in black or silver), we suppose that's just alright.

[Via RandomlyAccessed, thanks littlefarny]

In case you needed something stamped from Onkyo itself in order to believe that a Blu-ray player was on the way, here's your sign. Said outfit has just announced that a currently unnamed BD player (its first, in fact) will hit the "international" market in late 2008. Unfortunately, details beyond that are scant, as all we're told is that it'll play nice with Onkyo's AV receivers, pack an HDMI port and decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Additionally, we aren't notified of whether Onkyo has any plans of bringing the elusive deck stateside, and we haven't a clue about pricing. But hey, you can go ahead and circle all of Q4 to be on the lookout.

[Via Electronic House]

It's too early to tell if gold-colored components really are making a comeback, but you better believe Onkyo's at the forefront of the gilded parade. Shortly after pumping out the TX-SA606X in Japan (and the TX-SA606 in America), the TX-SA706X has arrived to take things one step further. This 7.1-channel receiver delivers a potent 200-watts of juice to each channel and includes five HDMI 1.3 inputs (alongside one output), a frequency response of 5Hz to 100,000Hz, Audyssey Dynamic EQ processing and built-in decoding for Dolby TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio formats. Granted, such a monster of an AVR won't become your very own with putting a nice size dent in your wallet, but those in Japan can treat themselves on July 19th when it lands for ¥189,000 ($1,781).

[Via HDTV Space]

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]

We're not exactly savvy on what's so special about October 2008, but Onkyo has just become the second manufacturer in the last week to announce a Blu-ray player that will ship in that month. Granted, the firm hasn't made this official or anything just yet, but according to an on-the-scene report from WhatHiFi, the outfit is indeed moving forward with plans for a £500 ($990) Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player -- just as was rumored earlier this year. Regrettably, that's all that we know outside of its model number (DV-BD606), but it is apt to be a part of a "three-strong" video-player lineup when it surfaces this Fall. For those interested, you can hit the read link for a few juicier tidbits about the company's forthcoming receiver lineup, but you'll go hungry searching for more details on this here unit.

[Thanks, Jimmie]

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.