Onkyo TX-NR656 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

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Votes 4 4
Rating 5 5

TX-NR656 vs TX-NR686 comparison chart

Onkyo TX-NR656 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Onkyo TX-NR656
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

Let's make the Onkyo TX-NR656 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. We estimated the compared receivers and both received a 7.2 out of 10 points. The release date of TX-NR656 is 2016, and TX-NR686 is 2018.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR656 over Onkyo TX-NR686

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Onkyo TX-NR656

  • 165/6 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 160/6 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

TX-NR656
7
TX-NR686
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 7.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the TX-NR686 this value is 165/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR656 it is 160/6 W/Ohm.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm160/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.

TX-NR656
9
TX-NR686
9

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bitVLSC 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAccuEQAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresTheater-Dimensional, Double Bass Function, CinemaFILTERAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Onkyo TX-NR656 scored 7, and Onkyo TX-NR686 scored 8 out of 10.

TX-NR656
7
TX-NR686
8

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Onkyo TX-NR656 got 7 points, but Onkyo TX-NR686 received 8 points.

TX-NR656
7
TX-NR686
8

Onkyo TX-NR656 is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR686 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
HDMI input/output8/27/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsHDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXHDMI, phones, setup mic
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the TX-NR656 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.

TX-NR656
9
TX-NR686
7

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Onkyo TX-NR656.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.ColorDeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 7 out of 10.

TX-NR656
7
TX-NR686
7

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The TX-NR686 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas notIP Control

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlOnkyo Remote App, FlareConnectOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

TX-NR656
7
TX-NR686
7

TX-NR656 TX-NR686
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)has notDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)has notDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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