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.
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 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.
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.
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 |