Marantz NR1608 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

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Votes 3 3
Rating 5 5

NR1608 vs TX-NR686 comparison chart

Marantz NR1608 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Marantz NR1608
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

Let's make the Marantz NR1608 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1608 received 8.3 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of NR1608 is 2017, and TX-NR686 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the NR1608 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Marantz NR1608 over Onkyo TX-NR686

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Marantz NR1608

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

NR1608
6
TX-NR686
7

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-NR686 this value is 165/6 W/Ohm, and for the NR1608 it is 70/6 W/Ohm.

NR1608 TX-NR686
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 70/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the NR1608 10 out of 10, and the TX-NR686 - 9.

NR1608
10
TX-NR686
9

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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Marantz NR1608 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

NR1608 TX-NR686
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bitVLSC 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.

NR1608
8
TX-NR686
8

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

NR1608 TX-NR686
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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.

NR1608 TX-NR686
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, 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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.

NR1608
8
TX-NR686
8

Marantz NR1608 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR686 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-NR686 has a Phono interface.

NR1608 TX-NR686
HDMI input/output8/17/2
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)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input32
Component input/output2/12/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micHDMI, phones, setup mic
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 NR1608 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.

NR1608
10
TX-NR686
7

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 Marantz NR1608.

NR1608 TX-NR686
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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the NR1608 got 10 points, but the TX-NR686 has 7.

NR1608
10
TX-NR686
7

Only the Marantz NR1608 has the ECO mode.

NR1608 TX-NR686
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP ControlIP Control

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.

NR1608 TX-NR686
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS AppOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)1/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

NR1608
7
TX-NR686
7

NR1608 TX-NR686
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)has notDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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