June 1, 2021) 11 Trading Company (11TC) recently showcased Integra's new trio of AV receivers to partners in the custom install and integrator space, revealing new details and advanced tools rarely seen in the sub-$3,000 category. Before we dive into Integra specifics, here's a quick update on 2021's class of Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, and Elite AV receivers:
- 11TC product managers have final working prototypes in-house and have paced them through extensive testing. These managers say brand engineers have remained receptive and accommodating to technology and performance requests, leading to quite a few exciting tech inclusions.
- As first reported here, pricing remains undetermined as costs associated with raw materials, electronics, and shipping continue to fluctuate. It appears to have held relatively stable, with minor increases applied to select models. Still, we won't know the final numbers until shipping begins. 11TC says seven of the brands' ten models are slated to ship during July, with Integra's DRX 2.4, Onkyo's TX-NR6100, and Elite's VSX-LX105 arriving in the October/November timeframe.
- 11 Trading Company says that Dirac Bass Control is still a possibility. Rest assured, product managers have heard the enthusiast community's desire for its inclusion.
As for Integra, all three 2021 models have been endowed with features that make installation, integration, and servicing as convenient as possible. Some elements are physical, such as high-contrast white back panels that are easy to read in dark environments, but most involve new and improved technologies.
On the performance front, 11TC says the entire Integra line carries the latest chips from NXP. Thanks to a high-bandwidth networking protocol, these chips "stay awake" on a network and can be immediately recognized by third-party controls. Also,
as previously disclosed, the receivers' HDMI 2.1 cards meet the specification's maximum requirement for hardware data transfer rates (40Gbps), allowing for single-source 8K media to be shared with two different displays, or multi-source 8K and 4K media to be shown in two different zones. Aside from HDMI 2.1's advantages for modern console gaming platforms, 11TC's product managers highlight 2.1's Quick Media Switching (QMS) feature, which eliminates frustrating "black screens" experienced during source switching with earlier versions of HDMI.
As for integration, Onkyo and 11TC have developed a new remote web browser-based set-up process for select 2019 and 2021 Integra, Elite, Onkyo, and Pioneer AV receivers. This allows installers to perform initial set-up and full customization without being in the same room as a receiver (thus, eliminating the use of a physical remote control). 11TC says this web-based tool is easy to initiate and can be performed by a single person with a computer, allowing for navigation of Initial Set-up windows, assigning inputs and outputs, defining speaker configurations, running acoustic calibration software, and much more.
Of course, web-based controls also give installers off-site access to monitoring and diagnostic tools, making remote troubleshooting and problem solving a reality.
For complete details, read 11TC's official press document (below).
Audio performance is enhanced by Dirac Live Room Calibration (which can be performed wirelessly, using a provided wired microphone and app, or with a PC and an approved USB microphone)
and the inclusion of AccuEQ. New for this year is a Klipsch Reference Speaker Mode (KRSM) within AccuEQ. KRSM gives installers of 2019's Onkyo TX-NR696 and 2021's Onkyo TX-RZ50, TX-NR7100, TX-NR6100, TX-NR6050*, TX-NR5100, and Integra's DRX-5.4, DRX-3.4, and DRX-2.4 access to preferred – pre-programmed – crossover settings suggested by Klipsch Engineers for the brand's entire line of Reference speakers. This feature will become available via a firmware update later this summer.
Lastly, a feature that caught my eye is the inclusion of AptX HD Bluetooth for connection to compatible wireless headphones. This allows the receivers to stream audio content to headphones when speakers are in use or when discrete audio is needed. This not only provides owners with the ability to eliminate the use of speakers, but it also allows viewers with hearing deficits to enjoy elevated volume levels while others enjoy normal volume levels.
AV NIRVANA will continue to update shipping timelines and pricing as more information becomes available.
* Onkyo's TX-NR6050 is a Costco derivative model of the 6100, which lack the THX certification of the 6100, and drops from 100W per channel to 90W per channel.
[float_right] [/float_right] (June 1, 2021) 11 Trading Company (11TC) recently showcased Integra's new trio of AV receivers to partners in the custom install and integrator space, revealing new details and advanced tools rarely seen in the sub-$3,000 category. Before we dive into Integra...
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