Onkyo Expands e-Onkyo, The World’s First Hi-Res Music Store, to Multiple Territories
PRESS RELEASE
9 February 2015 Osaka, Japan – Onkyo Corporation, a world leading hi-fi manufacturer and pioneer in the hi-res audio market, is today expanding e-onkyo music – Japan’s leading hi-res music download service. Now, users in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany will be able to access hundreds of thousands of 24-bit/44.1kHz up to 192kHz hi-res tracks and millions of CD-quality 16-bit FLAC, in the popular music download store. With a rapidly growing catalogue, e-onkyo music (store name “onkyo music” in US, UK and DE) aims to be the largest hi-resolution music download store.
Launched in Japan in 2005 e-onkyo music has since grown to become the country’s favorite source for downloadable hi-res audio. In partnership with 7digital, a leading digital music platform, Onkyo Corporation is expanding the service to three key overseas territories, with more planned for the near future.
“As one of the world’s leading hi-fi/home theatre manufacturers we can now provide music lovers with a full end-to-end hi-res audio experience\.” says, Kevin Miyagi, President of Onkyo Entertainment Technology and responsible for running the e-onkyo music service in Japan. “Whether customers choose to listen on the move via headphones or at home via their stereo system or AV receiver, Onkyo wants them to be able to choose from the widest range of music, delivered – with the highest fidelity – to the devices they want to use… that’s our mission”.”
The service is currently in beta and can be accessed via http://www.onkyomusic.com, as well as through custom built native apps for Android and iOS.
onkyomusic will cover all musical genres from pop and soul to jazz and folk, with classical music a major focus. The service also plans to make content available from Japanese labels, as well as genres previously not commonly widely available in hi-res audio format such as rock, metal and, the increasingly popular and steadily growing global catalogue of ANIME music. Featuring global headliners as well as locally relevant independent artists, the e-onkyo music service will have wide across the board appeal to music lovers and audiophiles alike.
The comprehensive selection of content on the site, sourced from 7digital’s catalogue of the world’s leading record companies, currently includes over hundreds of thousands of 24-bit/44.1kHz up to 192kHz hi-res tracks (available in FLAC) and millions of 16-bit/44.1kHz CD quality files. The rapidly growing catalogue will ensure the service offers users a best in class experience. Tracks and albums will be sold a la carte at competitive prices and in local currency – a hi-res album will cost the equivalent of $15- $20 while individual tracks will be around $3-$4 per song.
Content will be sourced from industry giants such as Universal Music, as well as a host of specialist labels including Lantis, a big name ANIME song label in Japan looking to be added.
Music purchased on the onkyomusic platform will be stored in a cloud locker ready for download to multiple devices. Onkyo and 7digital will work together to create unique music promotions – with high profile partnerships already in the pipeline – as well as special features and unique editorial to engage customers with new music and deliver an elevated music discovery experience.
CEO of 7digital Simon Cole, comments: “Onkyo has a history of being the first to market in Japan and a legacy of great innovation around superior audio systems. They are a fantastic partner to work with, and we are pleased to be a part of this new compelling offer for their customers. The marriage of such high-fidelity sound systems and this very easy to use hi-res download store has the chance to attract new digital listeners and satisfy even the most serious audiophiles.”
Dickon Stainer, President and CEO of Global Classics for Universal Music Group, says: “Hi-resolution audio is a perfect medium for listeners to explore the all-important nuances, detail and vibrancy of great classical recordings. Our Decca and Deutsche Grammophon labels are famous around the world for their incredible catalogues of music and we’re thrilled that e-onkyo is now expanding internationally and making this amazing music available to even more fans in such high quality.”
Miyagi concludes, “Onkyo are striving to be the best in class for hi-res audio experiences. Positive collaborations with major artists, various industry partners, including 7digital and our position as early innovators on this superior sound initiative make us confident that we will deliver”.
About Onkyo
Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to create award winning products that are lauded by industry leading audio publications. The company’s philosophy is to deliver products and services that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions.
For more information about fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyo.com.
About e-onkyo music
Established in 2005, e-onkyo music is one of the leading hi-res music download service in the world. It is owned by Onkyo Entertainment Technology Corporation, which is a subsidiary company of Japanese audio manufacturer, ONKYO Corporation. e-onkyo music carries PCM files ranges from 44.1kHz to 192kHz / 24bit in WAV and flac format. It also carries DSD files at 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz / 1bit in DSF format (JP only).
Visit http://www.onkyomusic.com/ for more information.
About 7digital
7digital aims to simplify access to the world’s music and radio. Their robust, scalable digital music platform and flexible APIs are used to power comprehensive music and radio services for leading consumer brands, mobile carriers, broadcasters, automotive systems, retailers, record labels, artists and agencies. Alongside proven technology, they offer global music rights, award-winning radio production services, and content management expertise, making them a leading global partner in this space. 7digital have powered streaming and download services for global brands like Guvera, Samsung, ROK Mobile, HMV and BlackBerry, have partnered with media giants such as Yahoo and Sirius XM, and are the largest independent producer of radio programming for the BBC. 7digital Group is ideally placed to lead innovation at the intersection of digital music and next generation radio services.
Visit http://about.7digital.com for more information.
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Onkyo PR Contact:
e-onkyo music (onkyo music)
Taku Kurosawa
Tel: +81 3 6265 1638
Email: taku.kurosawa@jp.onkyo.com
7digital PR Contacts:
Laurie Jakobsen at Jaybird Communications (US)
Tel: +1 (917) 697-2274
Email: laurie@jaybirdcom.com
Paul Spiers at Racepoint Group UK
Tel: 020 8811 2134
Email: 7digitaluk@racepointgroup.com
Anna Siegel
7digital
Tel: +1(917) 322-9402
Email: anna.siegel@7digital.com