Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505

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The Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-NR696 received 7.6 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 was rated 8.7 points. The release date of TX-NR696 is 2019, and Elite VSX-LX505 is 2021. Elite VSX-LX505 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - TX-NR696.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR696 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 over Onkyo TX-NR696

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Onkyo TX-NR696 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 supports a 9.2-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 Elite VSX-LX505 this value is 230/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR696 it is 165/6 W/Ohm.

Audio features

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

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Onkyo TX-NR696 has Pure Direct mode.

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.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.

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

Streaming services

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

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, both receivers got 7 points on our 10-point scale.

Competitors in our review have 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 on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505.

HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The TX-NR696 features HDMI CEC.

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 Onkyo TX-NR696 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

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 rivals in our comparison were rated 8 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 TX-NR696 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the Elite VSX-LX505 has the 4K/120Hz.

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 on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 9 out of 10.

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.

Multichannel surround

Onkyo TX-NR696 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 got 8.

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. The Elite VSX-LX505 licensed by IMAX.