Onkyo Readies Icon Series Electronics and Creator Series Powered Speakers

Shortly before CES 2025, Onkyo announced that the company would be reinventing itself after a rocky stretch left the Japanese brand dangerously close to bankruptcy just a few years ago. (See our article Onkyo Reimagined: The Japanese Brand Prepares For A New Chapter.) In addition to a brand identity refresh, a new marketing push, and the establishment of a new R&D facility in Osaka, Onkyo would be getting back to its roots by re-entering the two-channel audio business after focusing mostly on home theater in recent years. Now the company has unveiled the all-new Onkyo Icon Series, the first group of products that will help Onkyo re-establish itself as a HiFi brand. This three-strong high-fidelity line includes the Icon P-80 Network Preamplifier ($1,999), Icon M-80 Power Amplifier ($1,999), and Icon A-50 Network Integrated Amplifier ($1,499). Onkyo says that the Icon Series marks “a bold step forward in the brand’s evolution… (and) a significant advancement in their commitment to delivering unparalleled audio experiences for audiophiles.” This series is said to deliver “powerful, pure sound through exquisitely designed, modern chassis that house advanced technologies for superior audio performance.” These pieces certainly look the part, with stunning glass meters and sleek aluminum exteriors. Onkyo also introduced two new sets of compact powered speakers. The Creator Series speakers are “tailored for discerning music lovers, digital content creators, musicians, and gamers,” according to the company. The smaller Creator GX10DB speakers will sell for just $199 per pair when they launch later this year, while the slightly larger Creator GX30ARC will cost $299 per pair.

Onkyo Icon Series HiFi Electronics

Onkyo describes the trio of Icon Series components as “high-current, high-speed, high-resolution” units that will deliver dynamic, full-range sound and cutting-edge technology. These tech features include a new Premium Stereo DAC based on the 32bit/768kHz AK4452 DAC chip from Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), and support for Dirac Live room correction. The M-80 and A-50 amplifiers use custom power supplies for high current and powerful dynamics, along with a fan-free design for low-noise operation. The Icon Series also features Onkyo’s proprietary DIDRC, Dynamic Intermodulation Distortion Reduction Circuitry. This patented technology reduces high-frequency noise at a high slew rate, according to Onkyo. By reducing “beats generated in the ultra-high frequency band,” DIDRC is said to “improve the sound of analog recordings and stabilize audio signals with positive and negative signal symmetry.”

Onkyo Icon P-80 2-Channel HiFi Network Preamplifier

The Icon P-80 is a feature-packed network preamp. Streaming options include full Roon Ready support, plus Airplay2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth. Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and qobuz Connect allow users to control their tunes from their streaming app of choice, or simply use the Onkyo Controller app to listen to Amazon Music, TuneIn, and many more. The Icon P-80 also has plenty of physical inputs, including HDMI ARC and a high-quality MM/MC phono input. The Icon P-80 preamp sees Onkyo’s DIDRC tech installed in both the DAC filter section and in the phono stage, allowing users to “experience an emotional sound,” whether listening to analog or digital. 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. The preamp also boasts a gorgeous industrial design with a 5mm aluminum front panel, three-piece housing, and extruded aluminum heat sink that reportedly provides both heat dissipation and vibration suppression.           

Icon M-80 2-Channel HiFi Power Amplifier

The new Icon M-80 Power Amplifier is the natural partner of the P-80 preamp, delivering 150 Watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 200 Watts into 4 ohms. Onkyo says the M-80 is a symmetrical Class AB amplifier with a 3-stage Inverted Darlington output stage, delivering high current drive with low distortion. The patented DIDRC distortion reduction circuitry is featured in the amp’s driver stage. A custom high-current power supply and quiet fan-less operation contribute to the amp’s dynamic full-range sound, according to Onkyo. The amp also reportedly uses hi-fi grade terminals, quality capacitors, and a copper bus bar. Like the P-80, the M-80 features a rigid 5mm aluminum front panel, a three-piece housing, and an extruded aluminum heat sink. Onkyo tells us that with this amp, “you will get world-class playback that packs a punch.” While we can’t yet speak to the sound quality, one thing is certain: the wattage meters on the amp’s front panel look fantastic.

Icon A-50 2-Channel HiFi Integrated Amplifier

The Icon A-50 Integrated Amplifier is also a symmetrical Class AB amp, delivering a healthy 140 Watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 180 Watts into 4 ohms. It, too, uses patented DIDRC circuitry and a three-stage inverted Darlington amplifier design that “drives high current signals with minimal distortion” for sound that is “clear and strong,” according to Onkyo. It boasts the same terminals, quality capacitors, copper bus bar, and rigid front panel as the M-80, while offering the P-80’s connectivity options, including Roon Ready streaming, HDMI ARC, and MM/MC phono. Dirac Live (Limited Version) is included, with the option to upgrade to the full frequency version. The Icon A-50 looks like an awful lot of amp for its price.

All three Icon Series components will be offered in either a dark grey or silver finish, and all are scheduled to ship in early Q4 of this year, just in time for the 2025 holiday season. Detailed specs are not yet available, but consider us intrigued!

Onkyo Creator Series Powered Speakers

Onkyo says that the new GX10DB and GX30ARC Powered Monitors are “ideal for today’s work-from-home professionals,” or anyone else who demands exceptional sound quality that elevates both productivity and leisure. The speakers reportedly utilize highly efficient Class D amplifiers and DSP technology that “effectively manages the dynamic range to reproduce every detail” across the entire frequency spectrum. This allows the speaker to be put into “listen” mode or “flat” mode, depending on which frequency response better suits the application at hand. Both models offer USB-C, Optical, and Bluetooth digital inputs, along with analog RCA inputs that can be used for line-level sources or phono. Both models also offer an RCA subwoofer output. As its name suggests, the GX30ARC adds HDMI connectivity with ARC. Both models include angled desktop stands made of grain-textured ABS resin and MDF, and both are also equipped with an IR remote control.

The Creator GX10DB uses a 3-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch tweeter powered by a 17-watt stereo Class D amp. The speakers measure just 6.81 inches high, by 4.69 inches wide, by 5.87 inches deep.

The Creator GX30ARC uses a 4-inch woofer and a 0.75-inch tweeter. This model is bi-amped, with each channel offering 17 watts of Class D power to the woofer, and 8 watts to the tweeter. It measures 8.66 inches high, by 5.75 inches wide, by 6.69 inches deep.

The Onkyo Creator GX10DB and Creator GX30ARC speakers will be available in black or white, and are expected to ship in Q2 of 2025.

 More information: Onkyo