Pioneer SC-LX502 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SC-LX502 vs TX-NR686 comparison chart

Pioneer SC-LX502 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Pioneer SC-LX502
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

Let's make the Pioneer SC-LX502 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Pioneer SC-LX502 received 8.1 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of SC-LX502 is 2017, and TX-NR686 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the SC-LX502 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Pioneer SC-LX502 over Onkyo TX-NR686

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Pioneer SC-LX502

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

SC-LX502
8
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 SC-LX502 this value is 225/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR686 it is 165/6 W/Ohm.

SC-LX502 TX-NR686
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm120/8, 225/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SC-LX502 10 out of 10, and the TX-NR686 - 9.

SC-LX502
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. Pioneer SC-LX502 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

SC-LX502 TX-NR686
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 768 KHz/32-bitVLSC 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

SC-LX502
8
TX-NR686
8

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

SC-LX502 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.

SC-LX502 TX-NR686
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, 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.

SC-LX502
8
TX-NR686
8

Competitors in our review have 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

SC-LX502 TX-NR686
HDMI input/output7/27/2
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 input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output1/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXHDMI, 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 SC-LX502 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.

SC-LX502
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 Pioneer SC-LX502.

SC-LX502 TX-NR686
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLGDeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 7 out of 10.

SC-LX502
7
TX-NR686
7

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-NR686 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

SC-LX502 TX-NR686
Voice controlGoogle 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.

SC-LX502 TX-NR686
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

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

SC-LX502
7
TX-NR686
7

SC-LX502 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)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here