Onkyo firmware update enables FireConnect multi-room wireless

Onkyo has just announced a firmware update that activates FireConnect wireless multi-room audio distribution. This will feature on selected Onkyo audio-video and hi-fi components and systems together with compatible wireless speakers.

FireConnect powered by Blackfire is a wireless protocol that’s fundamental to Onkyo’s Next Generation Network Audio concept.

Next Generation Network Audio leverages dual-band 5 GHz / 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi together with the Onkyo Controller app. This aims to make music sharing simple and intuitive.

The update enables mirroring of on-demand internet streaming services built into components. This includes TIDAL, Deezer, and TuneIn as well Spotify and network-attached audio from entertainment systems to FireConnect-ready speakers, such as the Onkyo NCP-302 Network Audio System. Sampling rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz are supported.

Playback control for speakers in any room, as well as speaker-grouping functions and network audio selection, are integrated within the Onkyo Controller app.

Models updated by Firmware released February 23rd

PR-RZ5100, TX-RZ3100, TX-RZ1100, TX-RZ810, TX-RZ710, TX-NR656, TX-NR555, HT-S7805, TX-L50, TX-L20D, LS7200, and LS5200

Firmware released in early March

R-N855, NS-6170, and NS-6130

Later updates

Subsequent updates will enable wireless transmission of sources connected to the master component’s external analog audio inputs.

Users can look forward to a variety of easily accessible streaming music wherever they are in their home, with app functions that adapt to changing listening habits.

Firmware updates can be downloaded directly to the component or via the Onkyo website.