Onkyo Icon Series to offer Dirac Live, Bass Control and ART

[ex audiophile]

Onkyo has a modestly priced series coming sometime this year that appears to offer a lot of value. From Audioholics:

Onkyo Readies Icon Series Electronics and Creator Series Powered Speakers

Onkyo is staging a two-channel comeback in 2025. The Icon Series of HiFi electronics includes the Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier, Icon M-80 Power Amplifier, and Icon A-50 Network Integrated Amplifier.

www.audioholics.com

"The Icon P-80 will include Dirac Live Room Correction (Limited Version, 20Hz-500Hz). But according to Onkyo, users will have the option to upgrade to the full-frequency version,and can even add Dirac Live Bass Control and Dirac Live Active Room Treatment(ART). This makes the P-80 one of the first products outside of Storm Audio’s home theater processors to promise Dirac Live ART compatibility."

 

[Snoopy]

How would Dirac art work in a stereo setup? With a subwoofer?

 

[ZolaIII]

P & M 80 won't get released until third quarter. So far spec's are obscure. More interested how will M 80 behave if it indeed turns out to be F class.

 

[Mr. Malbolgia]

I cannot wait to see the real specs and some bench tests. This is exactly the sort of equipment I have been waiting for, in the price range that I can reach. If these measure decently and the CAD price isn’t too out of line, Christmas will be good!

After disappointment with not getting the TX-8390 in Canada, I had given up on quality and affordable two channel gear that fits my modern requirements. Add the recent troubles with VOXX and the Pioneer loss, I did not have high hopes.

I have been waiting to see some real movement from Onkyo, and as a long time fan the A-80 is calling out to be played on my APM-77’s. I really like the look, its aesthetic suits me.

But that M-80…

Maybe I could stretch that budget…

 

[Snoopy]

Im really torn between M-80 + P-80 and Yamaha A-S2200 + (no idea really).

Hdmi , roon and Dirac along with a AKM dac is really what I was looking for

 

[EWL5]

The inclusion of limited bandwidth Dirac is strange when even some relatively affordable PAC AVRs include full bandwidth!

 

[GXAlan]

How would Dirac art work in a stereo setup? With a subwoofer?

My understanding is that even in a 2.0 setup @Flak the right speaker can be used to modulate the bass coming from the left channel?

 

[pogo]

Correct and vice versa
A DLBC license is also not required for x.0 setups.

 

[Heyu]

The title to this thread should be this instead

Onkyo Icon Series to offer Dirac Live, Bass Control.​

Pac/Gentex is ignoring emails over if the current line will receive ART. DM has already ART available on their current line. Seems like the RZ70 and LX805 won't be getting it.

 

[dlaloum]

The title to this thread should be this instead

Onkyo Icon Series to offer Dirac Live, Bass Control.​

Pac/Gentex is ignoring emails over if the current line will receive ART. DM has already ART available on their current line. Seems like the RZ70 and LX805 won't be getting it.

And when directly queried about ART, Onkyo support responded that there are NO plans to bring ART to the Icon series.

So yes, PAC appear to be walking back all commitments made to ART.

The only possible glimmer of light was a comment about them working on the next generation of gear... perhaps they have decided to hold it for that next generation.

As far as I'm concerned, PAC are on a clock, since ART's release on D&M platforms, I am itching to give that a try in my setup... I would like that to be on an Onkyo/Integra platform, but I am ultimately platform agnostic.... they have 6 months to get with it, after that I will be shopping for an alternative. Could be D&M, or Monoprice HTP-1, maybe even Tonewinner AT600 - but I was originally planning for an RZ70/DRX8.4.

 

[kawauso]

And when directly queried about ART, Onkyo support responded that there are NO plans to bring ART to the Icon series.

So yes, PAC appear to be walking back all commitments made to ART.

The only possible glimmer of light was a comment about them working on the next generation of gear... perhaps they have decided to hold it for that next generation.

As far as I'm concerned, PAC are on a clock, since ART's release on D&M platforms, I am itching to give that a try in my setup... I would like that to be on an Onkyo/Integra platform, but I am ultimately platform agnostic.... they have 6 months to get with it, after that I will be shopping for an alternative. Could be D&M, or Monoprice HTP-1, maybe even Tonewinner AT600 - but I was originally planning for an RZ70/DRX8.4.

So you’re not actually using the RZ70/DRX8.4 right now — that’s a bit of a relief then.
It’s a shame though, if the Icon series had ART support, it would’ve been much easier to recommend to the 2-channel crowd.

 

[dlaloum]

So you’re not actually using the RZ70/DRX8.4 right now — that’s a bit of a relief then.
It’s a shame though, if the Icon series had ART support, it would’ve been much easier to recommend to the 2-channel crowd.

No, when I was last shopping, the RZ70 had not been released... I've been eyeing it off as with the muscular amps in there, I could potentially retire my external power amps.... however that was assuming ART!

Just had word direct from Tonewinner (I contacted them via their website) - they confirmed that the AT600 is under development and that it will support ART.

Unlike the Norwegian retailer, they made no commitment in terms of date... (the Norwegian retail website says December 2025)

A high performance reasonably priced full featured 16 channel AVP.... it is definitely interesting, although it would mean deploying more cables and amps rather than less... (for me)