Denon HEOS AVR vs Onkyo TX-NR787

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HEOS AVR vs TX-NR787 comparison chart

Denon HEOS AVR vs Onkyo TX-NR787 review

Denon HEOS AVR
vs
Onkyo TX-NR787

Let's make the Denon HEOS AVR versus Onkyo TX-NR787 comparison. According to the results of our review, Denon HEOS AVR received 4.8 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR787 was rated 8 points. The release date of HEOS AVR is 2017, and TX-NR787 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the TX-NR787 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Denon HEOS AVR over Onkyo TX-NR787

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR787 over Denon HEOS AVR

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 3 multi-room zones support, TX-NR787 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Can process HDR video.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

HEOS AVR
6
TX-NR787
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon HEOS AVR supports 5.1-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-NR787 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 TX-NR787 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the HEOS AVR it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
Channels5.19.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 65/6100/8, 220/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the HEOS AVR 5 out of 10, and the TX-NR787 - 9.

HEOS AVR
5
TX-NR787
9

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible on the TX-NR787.

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.

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featureshas notAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon HEOS AVR scored 7, and Onkyo TX-NR787 scored 8 out of 10.

HEOS AVR
7
TX-NR787
8

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

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

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

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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, Denon HEOS AVR got 5 points, but Onkyo TX-NR787 received 7 points.

HEOS AVR
5
TX-NR787
7

Denon HEOS AVR is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR787 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the TX-NR787 has a Phono interface.

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
HDMI input/output4/17/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)12
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input02
Component input/output0/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsHDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
Multi channel preamp output

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 HEOS AVR were rated 5 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR787.

HEOS AVR
5
TX-NR787
7

HDR pass-through gives you the possibility to broadcast HDR content directly from source to TV without the processing of the receiver. HDR support is available on the Onkyo TX-NR787.

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featureshas notBT.2020, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the HEOS AVR got 4 points, but the TX-NR787 has 8.

HEOS AVR
4
TX-NR787
8

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google AssistantGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescent
TunerAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas nothas not

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.

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
Multi-room zoneshas not3
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlHEOS AppOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)1/01/0
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

Denon HEOS AVR got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR787 got 7.

HEOS AVR
5
TX-NR787
7

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Onkyo TX-NR787 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the TX-NR787.

HEOS AVR TX-NR787
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Pro LogicDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)has notDTS-ES, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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