Onkyo and Pioneer's 2021 receivers back in black with 8K video, from $499

After taking a year off, Pioneer and Onkyo return to CES with brand-new receivers for 2021, offering up-to-date features including 8K video and Dolby Atmos. Prices start at $499 (roughly £370 or AU$650) for the TX-NR5100, which is due in June.

All the AV receivers have HDMI 2.1 compatibility -- with 8K video and gaming features such as VRR -- while also offering Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Onkyo has four models, the most notable being the NR6100 which is the replacement for CNET's Editor's Choice, the TX-NR696 . Meanwhile Pioneer has three new Elite models. 

Like the models Onkyo and Pioneer have released over the last few years, the products include a complete suite of streaming protocols: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast , "Works with Sonos" and DTS Play-Fi. FireConnect doesn't appear to be available but Play-Fi can perform the same function, so it's not missed. The receivers will also allow voice control via both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

The higher-end models include Dirac Live which is one of the first times the calibration routine has been offered by mainstream brands.

The receivers offer two-way Bluetooth communication for streaming from phones or listening on headphones. A powered second zone is included on all models plus HDMI as they move up the range. All of them also include RCA outs which enable the connection of a "headphone dock" for listening to two different sources in the same room, for example.

Here's what we know about Onkyo's 2021 receiver range:

Onkyo TX-NR5100

• 5.2.2 channels
• 80 watts per channel (stereo)
• Four HDMI inputs and two outputs (with eARC)
• $499 (June)
  

Onkyo TX-NR6100 

• 5.2.2 channels
  
• 100 watts per channel (stereo)
• Six HDMI inputs and two outputs (with eARC)
• $699 (August)
  

Onkyo TX-NR7100 

• 7.2.2 channels
• 100 watts per channel (stereo)
• Seven HDMI inputs (one front) and two outputs (with eARC)
• Dirac Live calibration
• $899 (June)
  

Onkyo TX-RZ50 

• 7.2.2 channels
• 120 watts per channel stereo
• Seven HDMI inputs (one front), two outputs (with eARC)
• Dirac Live calibration
• $1,099 (June)
  

Pioneer's models include the following receivers.

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

• 5.2.2 channels
• Six HDMI inputs, two outputs
• 80 watts per channel
• $699 (August)
  

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305

• 7.2.2 channels
• Seven HDMI inputs (one in front), two outputs
• 100 watts per channel
  
• Dirac Live calibration
  
• $999 (June)
  

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505

• 7.2.2 channels
• Seven HDMI inputs (one in front), two outputs
• 120 watts per channel
• Dirac Live calibration
  

Meanwhile ,Onkyo offshoot Integra will include three new models: the $800 DRX-2.4 (August), the $1,200 DRX-3.4 (June), and the $1,900 DRX-5.4 (June).

After two years it's good to see Onkyo return to one of its main strengths -- AV receivers -- and I have high expectations for the NR6100 in particular. Sony hasn't updated its flagship STR-DN1080 since 2017, so the main competition for the NR100 lineup now comes from Yamaha's excellent RX-V6A and the Denon AVR-960.