Let's compare Yamaha RX-V685BL versus Yamaha RX-V6A for an overview of all their pros and cons. We estimated the compared receivers and both received a 7.4 out of 10 points. The release date of RX-V685BL is 2018, and RX-V6A is 2020.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
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-V6A this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V685BL it is 90/8 W/Ohm.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 90/8, 150/4 | 100/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 4 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.06 | 0.06 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V685BL 9 out of 10, and the RX-V6A - 7.
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.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit | N/A |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | YPAO |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V685BL scored 8, and Yamaha RX-V6A scored 9 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz |
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 7 points on our 10-point scale.
Yamaha RX-V685BL is equipped with 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-V6A has 7/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Yamaha RX-V685BL in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Yamaha RX-V6A has the HDCP 2.3 version.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 5/2 | 7/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 1 | 0 |
Component input/output | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, AUX | USB, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✔ |
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 7 for the RX-V6A.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The RX-V685BL works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the RX-V6A has the 4K/120Hz.
The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Yamaha RX-V6A.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | 8K/60Hz |
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 features | BT.2020, HLG | x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V685BL got 7 points, but the RX-V6A has 9.
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 RX-V6A can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | Web Control, App Control |
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 | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast | MusicCast |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 0 |
Yamaha RX-V685BL got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-V6A got 6.
RX-V685BL | RX-V6A | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6 | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |