Onkyo TX-NR686 VS Pioneer VSX-932
Onkyo TX-NR686
  • Brand - Onkyo
  • Manual - tx-nr686.pdf
  • USB - 1
Pioneer VSX-932
  • Brand - Pioneer
  • Manual - vsx-932.pdf
  • USB - 2

Pioneer VSX-932 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 – Great Sound and Video

Pioneer VSX-932 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

I’d like to compare two mid-range units – Pioneer VSX-932 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 – in order to find out not so obvious differences as the power (Pioneer’s 560W versus Onkyo’s 800W) or their number of channels (and they both have 7 ones) to see the reasons for a significant price difference between those two AVs.

Features & Performance

Onkyo TX-NR686 vs Pioneer VSX-932 in terms of their ability provide a high-quality picture in home theater system has the same feature – they can stream 4K content and upscale more old videos up to this advanced format.

Pioneer VSX-932 has its brand ASR tech to save the sound quality of such compressed files like MP3, AAC, and WMA. Besides, it has DTS neural:X decoder to create the three-dimension sound field with the aid of front high-frequency speakers.

Onkyo TX-NR686 vs Pioneer VSX-932

Connections & Setup

Onkyo TX-NR686 has one more HDMI input and output, as well as AV input that is not a meaningful difference – both AVs have enough of them to provide great connectivity with TV, subs, speakers, and any other components. 2 Onkyo TX-NR686’s USB ports are remarkable though. Onkyo TX-NR686 has got built-in Chromecast, but it works only for audio.

Pioneer VSX-932 impresses with its great power for patio speakers. However, the perfect sound is possible only after calibration via mic. By the way, the calibration takes some minutes on 5.1.2. setup. The AV has FireConnect to provide wireless interaction between all the compatible devices.

Design

Onkyo TX-NR686 is wider, longer, and much heavier than Pioneer VSX-932.

Both devices have a decent appearance with neat front panels that are not overcrowded with the buttons. Onkyo TX-NR686 has black legs and Pioneer demonstrates silver ones, but Onkyo is introduced both in black and in silver.

Onkyo has no input selector on the front panel and the other button isn’t identified as volume control.

Pros & Cons

Onkyo TX-NR686

VS

Pros

    • 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.

Pioneer VSX-932

VS

Pros

    • The sound calibration allows getting an amazing sound.
    • The setup is pretty easy to use and the thing itself is pretty reliable. Everyone can use it, especially people that are not into technologies.
    • Low power consumption to save energy.
    • Enough inputs on the front panel to make calibrations

Cons

    • No multi-room option and basically it is pretty boring with little options. You might get tired of it fast.
    • Some customers have reported Bluetooth connection issues.

Specifications

Specification Onkyo TX-NR686 Pioneer VSX-932
Audio Formats
Flac
Apple Lossless
Aiff
Aac
Wma
Wav
Mp3
Built-in Decoders
Dolby True Hd
Dolby Surround
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Atmos
Dts:x
Signal Processing
Video Conversion/scaling HDMI to HDMI scaling, analog to HDMI up conversion HDMI to HDMI scaling, analog to HDMI up conversion
Hdmi Pass-through up to 4K up to 4K
Upscaling Via Hdmi up to 4K up to 4K
3d Pass-through
Connector Type
Optical Digital Outputs has not has not
Hdmi Outputs 2 1
Hdmi Inputs 7 6
Coaxial Digital Inputs 1 1
Optical Digital Inputs 2 1
Phones 1 1
Av Inputs 7 6
Usb 1 2
Subwoofer Outputs 2 2
Coaxial Digital Outputs has not has not
Radio
Tuner Type digital digital
Preset Station 40 30
Tuner Bands AM/FM AM/FM
Additional Features
Bi-amplifying
Audio Return Channel (arc)
Apple Air-play Support
Advanced Sound Retriever (asr) Technology
Three-zone Capability
Smartphone Remote Control
A-b Speaker Switch
Dual-zone Capability
Pure Direct Mode
Auto Power Off
Amplifier
Frequency Response 20 Hz-20 kHz 20 Hz-20 kHz
Output Impedance Per Channel 8 Ohm 6 Ohm, 8 Ohm
Output Power Per Channel 160 W 80 W
Total Output Power 800 W 560 W
Total Harmonic Distortion 0.08 % 0.08 %
Sound Features
Digital Content Protection HDCP 2.2 HDCP 2.2
Surround System Class 7.2 channel 7.2 channel
Surround Sound Effects Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround
Audio D/a Converter 32bit / 384kHz 32bit / 384kHz
Media Content Source
Usb-host
Network
Bluetooth
Dimensions
Dimensions 14.9 x 17.1 x 6.8 inches 12.6 x 17.1 x 6.8 inches
Connectivity Interfaces
Ieee 802.3u
Ieee 802.3
Wi-fi
Bluetooth
User Manual
Manual tx-nr686.pdf vsx-932.pdf
Power Device
Standby Power Consumption 0.15 W 0.1 W
Operational Power Consumption 570 W 480 W
Functions
Network Audio Player
Internet Radio
Digital Player
Built-in Display
Colour black black
Type fluorescent fluorescent
Clock
Sleep Timer
Built-in Clock
General
Brand Onkyo Pioneer

Popular Comparison

versus
Yamaha R-N303BL

Yamaha R-N

Yamaha R-N303BL

Onkyo TX-8

versus
Denon AVR-S750H Receiver, 7.2 Channel (165W x 7) - 4K Ultra HD Home Theater (2019) | Music Streaming | New - eARC, 3D Dolby Surround Sound (Atmos, DTS/Virtual Height Elevation) | Alexa + HEOS

Denon AVR-

Denon AVR-S750H Receiver, 7.2 Channel (165W x 7) - 4K Ultra HD Home Theater (2019) | Music Streaming | New - eARC, 3D Dolby Surround Sound (Atmos, DTS/Virtual Height Elevation) | Alexa + HEOS

Denon AVR-

versus
Onkyo TX-NR656

Onkyo TX-N

Onkyo TX-NR656

Onkyo TX-N

versus
YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth

YAMAHA RX-

YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth

Denon AVR-

versus
Pioneer VSX-LX303

Pioneer VS

Pioneer VSX-LX303

Pioneer VS