Let's make the Yamaha RX-V6A versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V6A received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of RX-V6A is 2020, and TX-NR686 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the RX-V6A is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.
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.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8 | 165/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8 | 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.06 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V6A 7 out of 10, and the 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.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | VLSC 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | AccuEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Advanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V6A scored 9, and Onkyo TX-NR686 scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz | Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio |
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, Yamaha RX-V6A got 7 points, but Onkyo TX-NR686 received 8 points.
Yamaha RX-V6A is equipped with 7/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR686 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Yamaha RX-V6A.
The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Yamaha RX-V6A in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Onkyo TX-NR686 has the HDCP 2.2 version.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/1 | 7/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | HDMI, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✖ |
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 7 out of 10.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The RX-V6A works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the TX-NR686 has the 4K/60Hz.
The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available only on Yamaha RX-V6A.
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 Yamaha RX-V6A.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | ✖ |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V6A got 9 points, but the TX-NR686 has 7.
Only the Yamaha RX-V6A has the ECO mode.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Google Assistant |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | fluorescent |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✖ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | Web Control, App Control | IP Control |
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.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast | Onkyo Controller app, FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
Yamaha RX-V6A got 6 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR686 got 7.
RX-V6A | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |