Onkyo was founded in 1946 under the name Osaka Denki Onkyo Co. Its founder, Takeshi Godai, decided that there were not enough acoustics manufacturers on the Japanese market and filled the niche. The name of the company can be translated from Japanese in different ways depending on the meaning of the character kyo - either “sound acoustics” or “sound harmony”.
1946
Onkyo's first device (May 1946) was the CP1000 vinyl record player cartridge. It cost 300 yen, with an average salary of 500 yen, but still brought in income for the company. Godai invested the proceeds in the construction of a new factory and the development of speakers.
1947
The company changed its name to Osaka Acoustic Co., Ltd.
1948
An important step was taken in the company's activities - Takeshi developed a new model of unpressed paper diffuser, which managed to gain great success in the market, and for Onkyo this made it possible to create the basis for further developments.
1950s
The company achieved enormous success in the field of Hi-Fi products - the first dome was created from unpressed paper, the ED-100 acoustics and OP-670 stereo player appeared, and 1955 was marked by the creation of the OS-88 radio amplifier.
1961
A factory was opened in Osaka Prefecture.
1970s
The golden age of Hi-Fi, the corporation's slogan was “Artistry in Sound”, and today, when home theaters have become widespread, it is “Emotions Delivered”.
1971
The company changed its name again, now to Onkyo Co., Ltd.
1994
Production of the world's first consumer amplifier of the THX standard.
2005
She launched the E-Onkyo online service for selling music in Hi-Res Audio format.
2006
Production of computers on the Intel Viiv platform (presented at CES in early January 2006) - HDC-7, which operated in 7.1 channel mode and used proprietary VLSC technology to reduce noise from pulsed sources when playing files in 24-bit quality. 96 kHz.
2008
Sotec was acquired.
2010
Onkyo returned to the high-end market with the release of the Reference series of components. The series included: the M-5000R power amplifier, the P-3000R preamplifier and the C-7000R CD player, and subsequently the A-9000R integrated amplifier.
2012
An alliance took place with the American Gibson Brands (Onkyo USA was sold to Gibson Guitars), which became the second largest shareholder of the holding. In the same year - an alliance with the Teac company.
2013
The company released a software player for smartphones - HF Player, which made it possible to listen to music in high quality on some portable equipment, which made it more accessible to a larger number of users to obtain high-quality sound.
2015
Production of headphones and portable audio under the Onkyo brand at the facilities of Gibson Innovations, for sale outside Japan (in the Japanese market, Onkyo continues to independently sell all its products, including traditional stereo components and home theater equipment, which will also be distributed in the rest of the world via traditional Onkyo channels).
Also in 2015, the consumer electronics division of Pioneer was acquired.
2017
The world's first music smartphone with two amplifiers - Onkyo Granbeat - was released.
2021
The company was acquired by Premium Audio Company, LLC together with Sharp. Founded in 2020, Premium Audio Company consists of three subsidiaries and includes audio brands such as Klipsch, Jamo, Mirage, ProMedia, Magnat, Heco, Mac Audio, Onkyo, Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, Integra, Teac and Esoteric.
Onkyo today
Onkyo's main goal has always been to create and use the most advanced technologies, which sets it apart from the general range of manufacturers of AV receivers and amplifiers. Onkyo has always been committed to achieving the highest standards of sound and bringing them to listeners wherever they are.
Onkyo products allow you to hear every nuance and feel every emotion. Onkyo's philosophy of creating fully immersive entertainment is focused not on system performance, but on the real-life audio experience.
Onkyo's signature approach to amplification delivers natural transients to bring out the energy behind music, and its amplifiers confidently control the behavior of any speaker across the entire audible range, keeping the signal unaffected by digital noise. Whether it's vinyl or an object-mixed film soundtrack, you're sure to be transported into the world created by the artist and producer. An incredible experience awaits you - without pitfalls and without compromises - in the performance of products created by true professionals.
Onkyo produces the most complete line of AV receivers, allowing you to create home theaters of almost any size - from compact family theaters to separate cinema rooms in country mansions. Onkyo receivers, amplifiers and processors have earned numerous honorable awards from leading audio publications and prestigious juries.
When you buy an Onkyo AV receiver, you can be sure that you are becoming the owner of the most advanced device for creating a real cinema environment in your home.
