Onkyo, a long-standing player in the hi-fi and home theater markets, is entering a new phase in its development, announcing the launch of two new product ranges scheduled for 2025.
Essential restructuring
A historic Japanese brand launched in 1946, Onkyo is emerging from a period marked by financial difficulties and restructuring. After filing for bankruptcy in May 2022, the manufacturer was narrowly saved by Premium Audio Company, the giant behind many other iconic entities in the sector, including Klipsch. The group is investing significantly to revitalize Onkyo and opens its premium division to the general public, with the distribution of Integra AV receivers, previously reserved for integration professionals.
Read: Who is Integra?
Back to basics and diversification
After this tumultuous period, Onkyo is showing its determination to return to its roots by offering equipment that will satisfy both discerning audiophiles and the general public. The two new series, which will be unveiled next January at CES 2025, will mark the manufacturer’s active return to the hi-fi world. While the secrets of the new equipment are still being closely guarded, there are signs that new hi-fi amplifiers will be launched, including connected models with touchscreens to keep up with current trends. The brand is also set to launch its first pair of connected bookshelf speakers, and could well breathe new life into its passive speaker series, which has been abandoned for several years.
Top-class collaborations
Despite the fact that its business in recent years has been mainly focused on AV receivers, Onkyo has managed to maintain its presence in the market thanks to targeted launches. Among recent innovations, the Flexus soundbar system, designed in collaboration with Klipsch, made its mark this spring. This wireless home-theater system combines the speaker manufacturer’s characteristic acoustic power with Onkyo’s amplification precision. This made it one of our favorite systems of the year, as highlighted in our review of the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 soundbar. Then, in September, the brand unveiled the Onkyo TX-RZ30 AV receiver, a 9.2-channel model capable of delivering a highly immersive experience at an affordable price. Finally, Onkyo intends to move into a wider range of electronics under the “Powered by Onkyo” initiative, which involves developing amplification and fine-tuning products from other partner brands.
New facilities and renewed visual identity
To support this renaissance, Onkyo has inaugurated the Premium Audio Company Technology Center (PACTC) in Osaka, a center dedicated to innovation where engineers, technicians and marketing teams collaborate to develop the next generation of products. The brand has also updated its logo, symbolizing new perspectives and the immersive cinematic experience offered by the manufacturer’s equipment.
With these recent announcements, Onkyo is preparing to reaffirm its position in the hi-fi and home theater markets in 2025, focusing on innovation and new ranges, while remaining true to its heritage of high quality sound.
