- Brand - Onkyo
- Total Output Power - 690 W
- Output Power Per Channel - 100 W, 170 W
- Brand - Onkyo
- Total Output Power - 800 W
- Output Power Per Channel - 160 W
Onkyo TX-NR686 vs Onkyo TX-NR656 – Sound without Breaking a Budget
Onkyo TX-NR686 vs TX-NR656 – Perfect Companion for the Home Theatre
Onkyo TX-NR686 vs Onkyo TX-NR656 is the test of two models of the same company. TX-NR686 is the latest model so it is more expensive. However, does it have any other features to overpay for except the AIR Studio monitor certification?
Features & Performance
While testing Onkyo TX-NR686 vs TX-NR656, it becomes clear that both amps’ sound is crisp and the bass is powerful. There are no notable distortions at high volumes due to the low THD percentage. Their Wi-Fi chips are very fast. The built-in microphone tunes the room to the best audio experience automatically. Onkyo TX-NR656 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 – if to compare them very meticulously – is TX-NR656’s 690W versus TX-NR686’s 800W.
Connections & Setup
Onkyo TX-NR686 has 6 pairs of RCA stereo inputs that allow connecting the diverse devices. No need to reconnect the cables anymore but just to set up the signal’s origin. There is a quick setup guide via the Graphical User Interface. While testing Onkyo TX-NR656 vs TX-NR686 I’ve noticed one more HDMI input at TX-NR656’s.
Both devices’ Bluetooth tech allows playing music wirelessly from the laptops, PCs, and the smartphones or tablets. The receivers are able to connect to the internet and the most popular music apps as Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
Design
Onkyo TX-NR686 and Onkyo TX-NR656 have an HDMI connection in front that saves the hassle of fiddling around behind the receiver when it is necessary to connect the gaming console or camera quickly. In comparison with the model TX-NR686, Onkyo TX-NR656 has no solid aluminum chassis but a brush semi-metal, semi-plastic finish.
Pros & Cons
Onkyo TX-NR656
VSPros
- Compatible with Apple devices (Apple air-play support).
- Pure direct mode for better sound.
- This model supports almost all modern audio formats, like FLAC, MP3 or even Apple lossless.
- Powerful decoders are able to play almost any kind of files without any problems.
- The total power output is 1190 Watts. That is more than enough for you to enjoy your favorite music. It is super powerful.
- The device can use such wireless interfaces as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
Cons
- Large in size, especially in width.
- It does not support the AIFF audio format.
- It does not have a decoder to decode DTS neural:X.
Onkyo TX-NR686
VSPros
- Clear and organized menu.
- Produces a good and loud volume from quite demanding speakers.
- The model offers dual-zone capability and bi-amplifying, which enables users to create several zones while using several amplifiers.
- Easy to install, setup and use. The zone 2 can be controlled easily via a remote controller.
- The output sound is crisp and pure.
- The instruments sound clearly distinguished with a very clear position in the area.
Cons
- The streaming services that require premium subscriptions are not listed.
- Bluetooth devices glitched short blank spaces during music playback.
- Firmware update doesn’t notify about new available FW that makes the listeners select the option Update FW manually in order to check for a newer FW.
Specifications
Groups
| Specification | Onkyo TX-NR656 | Onkyo TX-NR686 |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Features | ||
| A-b Speaker Switch | ||
| Dual-zone Capability | ||
| Pure Direct Mode | ||
| Auto Power Off | ||
| Bi-amplifying | ||
| Audio Return Channel (arc) | ||
| Apple Air-play Support | ||
| Advanced Sound Retriever (asr) Technology | ||
| Three-zone Capability | ||
| Smartphone Remote Control | ||
| Functions | ||
| Internet Radio | ||
| Digital Player | ||
| Network Audio Player | ||
| Power Device | ||
| Operational Power Consumption | 580 W | 570 W |
| Standby Power Consumption | 0.1 W | 0.15 W |
| Audio Formats | ||
| Wma | ||
| Wav | ||
| Mp3 | ||
| Flac | ||
| Apple Lossless | ||
| Aiff | ||
| Aac | ||
| Connectivity Interfaces | ||
| Bluetooth | ||
| Ieee 802.3u | ||
| Ieee 802.3 | ||
| Wi-fi | ||
| Connector Type | ||
| Av Inputs | 2 | 7 |
| Usb | 1 | 1 |
| Subwoofer Outputs | 2 | 2 |
| Coaxial Digital Outputs | has not | has not |
| Optical Digital Outputs | has not | has not |
| Hdmi Outputs | 2 | 2 |
| Hdmi Inputs | 8 | 7 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs | 1 | 1 |
| Optical Digital Inputs | 2 | 2 |
| Phones | 1 | 1 |
| Radio | ||
| Preset Station | 40 | 40 |
| Tuner Bands | AM/FM | AM/FM |
| Tuner Type | digital | digital |
| Clock | ||
| Sleep Timer | ||
| Built-in Clock | ||
| Built-in Display | ||
| Colour | black | black |
| Type | fluorescent | fluorescent |
| Signal Processing | ||
| Upscaling Via Hdmi | up to 4K | up to 4K |
| 3d Pass-through | ||
| Video Conversion/scaling | HDMI to HDMI scaling, analog to HDMI up conversion | |
| Hdmi Pass-through | up to 4K | up to 4K |
| Amplifier | ||
| Total Harmonic Distortion | 0.08 % | 0.08 % |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz-20 kHz | 20 Hz-20 kHz |
| Output Impedance Per Channel | 6 Ohm, 8 Ohm | 8 Ohm |
| Output Power Per Channel | 100 W, 170 W | 160 W |
| Total Output Power | 690 W | 800 W |
| Sound Features | ||
| Digital Content Protection | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
| Surround System Class | 7.2 channel | 7.2 channel |
| Surround Sound Effects | Neural Surround. Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround | Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround |
| Audio D/a Converter | 32bit / 384kHz | 32bit / 384kHz |
| Built-in Decoders | ||
| Dolby True Hd | ||
| Dolby Surround | ||
| Dolby Digital Plus | ||
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Dts:x | ||
| Media Content Source | ||
| Usb-host | ||
| Network | ||
| Bluetooth | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Dimensions | 22.5 x 18 x 11 inches | 14.9 x 17.1 x 6.8 inches |
| User Manual | ||
| Manual | tx-nr656.pdf | tx-nr686.pdf |
| General | ||
| Brand | Onkyo | Onkyo |
