Onkyo TX-RZ3100/1100 Atmos A/V Receivers & Inflated Power Ratings

Custom home theater installers will be happy to see Onkyo’s new lineup of A/V receivers this week at the CEDIA show in Dallas, Texas.  Built with custom integration in mind, each Onkyo RZ Series receiver contains features to make installation and integration with control systems easy.  Connectivity options include RS-232, IR and 12v triggers as well as PC setup, detachable power cables and optional rack kits, simplifying installation. This is the second wave of products from its premier RZ Series, including two top-of-the-line A/V receivers: the THX Select2 Plus-certified 11.2-channel TX-RZ3100 Network A/V Receiver and the 9.2-channel TX-RZ1100 Network A/V Receiver, along with a flagship THX Ultra2 Plus-certified 11.2-channel PR-RZ5100 Network A/V Processor.

Onkyo's Newest Lineup:  The  PR-RZ5100 Network A/V Processor (left), TX-RZ3100 Network A/V Receiver (middle), and the 9.2-channel TX-RZ1100 Network A/V Receiver (right)

Onkyo RZ Series Atmos AV Receivers and Processor YouTube Video Preview

All three receivers are said to be designed with enough high current power to drive large floor standing speakers with the ability to add additional height or ceiling speakers to unlock the full multi-dimensional experience delivered by built in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X which incorporates DTS Neural:X technology to up-mix lossless multichannel surround formats such as DTS Master Audio, to emulate height effects and give listeners a 3D experience that’s close to a native object-based soundtrack.

An Important Note About Inflated Power Ratings

We don't like the recent trend in power ratings we've been seeing by some of the manufacturers since Dolby Atmos has been introduced.  Before Atmos, most receiver companies would at least give you a 2CH, full bandwidth power rating at a distortion level below clipping (usually 0.1% or less).  Now they all seem to be playing the numbers games in hopes the uninitiated consumer won't notice.  These latest Onkyo receivers are a prime example and as a result we are calling them out on it.

Onkyo Power Rating of TX-RZ3100 Per their Website

WOW this receiver puts out 200 watts/ch All Channels Driven?  NOT!  Look more closely.  This is one channel driven at 6 ohms and at 0.9% (very close to clipping and very high in residual harmonic distortion).

Let's use a little Ohm's Law to figure this out.  If P = V*I and I = V/R then V = sqrt(PR) =>  Therefore 200 watts at 6 ohms translates to 34.6Vrms and driving an 8 ohm load (which is how most amplifiers are rated), this gives you P = V^2/R = 150 watts.  Now let's not forget this is at near clipping.  So in reality, this amp is good for a clean 140 wpc and that's for 1CH driven.  We will give Onkyo the benefit of a doubt that their power supply is large enough to drive at least two channels at this power level.  But surely you can now you can see this 200 wpc receiver is really 140 wpc more honestly rated.  Let's keep it honest guys and stop the BS power ratings please!

Features Galore

In addition to Zone 2 pre outs with independent HDMI output and Zone3 pre out, all three units include 11.2 channel preamp RCA outputs, the PR-RZ5100 features balanced XLR connectors.  The TX-RZ1100 and TXRZ3100 feature Zone 2 and 3 powered outputs for driving speakers in other rooms.  Additional multi-room wireless audio capabilities are offered via optional FireConnect.

All three products offer Google Cast, AirPlay, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Spotify, TIDAL, TuneIn, and Pandora with any app-based audio entertainment cast seamlessly to the theater room and beyond using a user-friendly Onkyo Remote application.

TX-RZ3100 and the TX-RZ1100

For movie and game soundtracks, hi-res audio, and stereo sources, both the TX-RZ3100 and the TX-RZ1100 feature a new Onkyo Hi-Current Digital Amplification system that pairs with AccuEQ and AccuReflex technologies designed to optimally balance and phase-align sound in any listening space.  The three models feature premium AKM 384kHz/32-bit digital-to-analog conversion technology and VLSC noise-free processing on all channels, which helps remove pulse-noise.  

All three products feature separated digital and analog circuitry to minimize interference, custom low-hum transformers, and bespoke audio-grade capacitors for smooth and instantaneous power, while componentry and attention to detail throughout reflects the products’ flagship status.

Each include HDCP 2.2 compatibility and a host of 4k video features over HDMI including BT.2020 color, High Dynamic Range, 4:4:4 color space, and 4K/60 Hz should the user choose to update their display or projector in the future.

Finally, the RZ Series is backed by a three-year warranty and features priority customer support.

The TX-RZ3100 (MSRP: $3,199), TX-RZ1100 (MSRP: $2,199) and the PR-RZ5100 (MSRP: $2,399) will be available next month.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.