Plenty of home theater enthusiasts are familiar with the Onkyo brand name, but fewer are acquainted with Integra, the company’s high-end label. While its products are often aimed at the hardcore custom installer set, Integra also sells A/V gear that appeals to anyone looking for a quality product, as evidenced by the company’s latest releases: the DLB-5 network object-based surround soundbar system, and DSX-3 6.1-channel network A/V receiver.
The DSX-3 network A/V receiver takes a different path than the plus-sized DRX receivers Integra released earlier this year, focusing on packing high-grade components into a thin, light chassis. This ultra-low-profile design weighs in at 8.8 pounds, but features a 384 kHz/32-bit Asahi Kasei DAC and plenty of power at 80 watts per channel at 4 ohms.
Featuring four HDMI inputs, all of which support 4K at 60 Hz, the DSX-3 also features HDR, 4:4:4, BT.2020, and HDCP 2.2. While not available at launch, the receiver will eventually support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround sound, which are planned to be added via a firmware update in 2017. Wireless connectivity is built in, with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, and FireConnect, as well as streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and TuneIn.
Integra says the other product released today, the DLB-5 soundbar system, is one of the only soundbars on the market right now featuring support for object-based surround sound. The system features a six-driver passive sound bar, wireless powered subwoofer, and a control unit that the company says is a variation of the DSX-3 receiver.
The soundbar system features four HDMI inputs, which support HDCP 2.2, HDR10, and BT.2020 color. While not as powerful as the DSX-3 receiver, the control unit is rated at 50 watts per channel at 4 ohms. It features the same wireless connectivity and streaming features as the DSX-3, but is also Integra’s first product to feature DTS Play-Fi multiroom streaming.
The DLB-5 soundbar system sells for $1,200, while the DSX-3 A/V receiver retails for half that price at $600. Both models are available starting today. For more information, see the Integra website.
