Marantz NR1609 vs Onkyo TX-RZ840

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Review of Marantz NR1609 versus Onkyo TX-RZ840 will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1609 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-RZ840 was rated 8.4 points. The release date of NR1609 is 2018, and TX-RZ840 is 2019. TX-RZ840 is better suited for home theater use than the NR1609. Its sound profile is better balanced.

Main advantages Marantz NR1609 over Onkyo TX-RZ840

Main advantages Onkyo TX-RZ840 over Marantz NR1609

Amplifiers

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

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz NR1609 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-RZ840 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-RZ840 this value is 180/6 W/Ohm, and for the NR1609 it is 70/6 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the NR1609 8 out of 10, and the TX-RZ840 - 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 NR1609 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

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

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

Streaming services

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

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, Marantz NR1609 got 9 points, but Onkyo TX-RZ840 received 8 points.

Marantz NR1609 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-RZ840 has 7/2 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 on Onkyo TX-RZ840.

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 NR1609 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the TX-RZ840.

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 NR1609.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the NR1609 got 10 points, but the TX-RZ840 has 9.

Only the Marantz NR1609 has the ECO mode.

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.

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 8 points out of 10.

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. The TX-RZ840 licensed by IMAX.