Onkyo TX-RZ610 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

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Let's make the Onkyo TX-RZ610 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-RZ610 received 7.7 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of TX-RZ610 is 2016, and TX-NR686 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the TX-RZ610 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-RZ610 over Onkyo TX-NR686

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Onkyo TX-RZ610

Amplifiers

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. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the TX-RZ610 this value is 170/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR686 it is 165/6 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the TX-RZ610 8 out of 10, and the TX-NR686 - 9.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Onkyo TX-NR686 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.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Onkyo TX-RZ610.

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, Onkyo TX-RZ610 got 7 points, but Onkyo TX-NR686 received 8 points.

Onkyo TX-RZ610 is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR686 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

By using the HDMI ARC, we can get rid of additional audio cables for the forefront of high-quality sound, but also thanks to this technology, it becomes possible to use surround sound formats. The TX-NR686 has HDMI ARC support.

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-RZ610 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.

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-RZ610.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-RZ610 got 8 points, but the TX-NR686 has 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. Only the Onkyo TX-RZ610 has the ECO mode.

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-RZ610 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR686 got 7.

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Onkyo TX-RZ610 has Auro-3D on its feature list.