Let's make the Yamaha RX-V685BL versus Onkyo TX-NR787 comparison. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V685BL received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR787 was rated 8 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 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.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 8 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V685BL supports 7.2-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 RX-V685BL it is 90/8 W/Ohm.
RX-V685BL | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 90/8, 150/4 | 100/8, 220/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 4 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.06 | 0.08 |
The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.
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 | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | AccuEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Advanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio |
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.
RX-V685BL | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
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 | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio |
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 Onkyo TX-NR787 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 only on Yamaha RX-V685BL.
RX-V685BL | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 5/2 | 7/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 1 | 2 |
Component input/output | 1/0 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, AUX | HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX |
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 TX-NR787.
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 Yamaha RX-V685BL.
RX-V685BL | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/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 features | BT.2020, HLG | BT.2020, HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V685BL got 7 points, but the TX-NR787 has 8.
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 TX-NR787 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant. Only the Yamaha RX-V685BL has the ECO mode.
RX-V685BL | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Google Assistant |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | fluorescent |
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 | has not |
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 | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast | Onkyo Controller app, FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 1 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
RX-V685BL | TX-NR787 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby 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:6 | DTS-ES, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |