Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Marantz NR1609

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

RX-V685BL vs NR1609 comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V685BL vs Marantz NR1609 review

Yamaha RX-V685BL
vs
Marantz NR1609

Let's compare Yamaha RX-V685BL versus Marantz NR1609 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V685BL received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz NR1609 was rated 8.2 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. And as a result of the comparison, NR1609 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than RX-V685BL.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V685BL over Marantz NR1609

  • 90/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Yamaha RX-V685BL

  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

RX-V685BL
8
NR1609
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 RX-V685BL this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

RX-V685BL NR1609
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm90/8, 150/450/8, 70/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 48, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.060.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V685BL 9 out of 10, and the NR1609 - 8.

RX-V685BL
9
NR1609
8

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 NR1609 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

RX-V685BL NR1609
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationYPAOAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

RX-V685BL
8
NR1609
8

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

RX-V685BL NR1609
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.

RX-V685BL NR1609
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, 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, Yamaha RX-V685BL got 7 points, but Marantz NR1609 received 9 points.

RX-V685BL
7
NR1609
9

Yamaha RX-V685BL is equipped with 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz NR1609 has 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Yamaha RX-V685BL.

RX-V685BL NR1609
HDMI input/output5/28/1
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 input21
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input13
Component input/output1/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, AUXUSB, HDMI, 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 RX-V685BL were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the NR1609.

RX-V685BL
8
NR1609
9

RX-V685BL NR1609
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 featuresBT.2020, HLGBT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V685BL got 7 points, but the NR1609 has 10.

RX-V685BL
7
NR1609
10

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The NR1609 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.

RX-V685BL NR1609
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas notIP Control, Web 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.

RX-V685BL NR1609
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMusicCastHEOS App
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)11

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-V685BL got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz NR1609 got 8.

RX-V685BL
7
NR1609
8

RX-V685BL NR1609
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)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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