Currently, Onkyo is taking on the challenge of developing a new home theater system by utilizing the crowdfunding "GREEN FUNDING". Its name is "SOUND SPHERE". Instead of an integrated body like a sound bar, you can easily realize the experience of being surrounded by sound by combining multiple speakers wirelessly without the need for speaker cables.
The biggest point is that it uses the audio technology "WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio)", which will be the first landing in Japan. High-resolution audio signals up to 96kHz / 24bit, up to 8 channels can be transmitted wirelessly without compression. Another feature is that the delay is about 5.2msec, which is less than that of Bluetooth.
SOUND SPHERE consists of a set of transceiver and speaker that supports this WiSA.
At the time of writing (April 2, 2021), the prices at GREEN FUNDING are as follows.
2.1ch set with 2 speakers and subwoofer ￥ 54,800
3.1ch set of 2 speakers, center speaker and subwoofer ￥ 69,800
5.1ch set of 4 front / rear speakers, center speaker and subwoofer ￥ 89,800
The WiSA transmitter / receiver is equipped with an eARC-compatible HDMI terminal and an optical digital audio terminal, and supports Dolby Atmos and MPEG-2 AAC audio formats. * MPEG-4 AAC is undecided (support is under consideration) You can enjoy surround sound in combination with the latest TVs, as well as with HDMI splitters, etc., in combination with projectors, PCs, game consoles, etc. ..
There are three types of speakers, front / rear speakers, center speakers, and subwoofers, all of which are slim, compact, and have a fearless black body. In addition to pursuing high-quality sound by generously injecting the speaker and amplifier design technology that we have accumulated over the 75 years since our founding, we have placed baffles on the front and sides to make it easier to fit in a rack. Every detail has been devised.
When you actually listen to it with a 5.1ch set, it is clearly different from the sound wrapping you experience in the soundbar. You can enjoy the realism of a real surround home theater with a unified tone with a high-quality speaker unit. I was also surprised at the sound that is more powerful than it looks compact, the presence of vocals due to the independent center speaker, and the movement of the sound brought about by the good connection between channels. By using the smartphone app developed by WiSA, it was convenient to be able to instantly switch the type of speaker to be played, the layout of the speakers, the sound mode, etc., and I felt that it was worth more than the price.
The product will be delivered by the big summer sporting event. If you are aiming for a home theater with a combination of a large screen TV and a sound bar, please pay attention to the Innovative Wireless Speaker System "SOUND SPHERE" that can realize a neat and real 5.1ch surround sound without having to route the speaker cable all over the room. Is that right?
Click here for SOUND SPHERE crowdfunding page (project support until May 13, 2021)
By the way, an event will be held where you can actually experience the prototype under development of SOUND SPHERE. Why don't you come and experience the excitement of the immersive wireless theater as soon as possible, and to support Onkyo's new challenges?
