Marantz SR6012 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR6012 vs TX-NR686 comparison chart

Marantz SR6012 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Marantz SR6012
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

Let's make the Marantz SR6012 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Marantz SR6012 received 8.6 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of SR6012 is 2017, and TX-NR686 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the SR6012 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Marantz SR6012 over Onkyo TX-NR686

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Marantz SR6012

  • 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.

SR6012
8
TX-NR686
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR6012 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-NR686 supports a 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 TX-NR686 this value is 165/6 W/Ohm, and for the SR6012 it is 150/6 W/Ohm.

SR6012 TX-NR686
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm110/8, 150/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.

SR6012
9
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. Marantz SR6012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

SR6012 TX-NR686
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitVLSC 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32AccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Audyssey LFC, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

SR6012
8
TX-NR686
8

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

SR6012 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.

SR6012 TX-NR686
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, 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, Marantz SR6012 got 10 points, but Onkyo TX-NR686 received 8 points.

SR6012
10
TX-NR686
8

Marantz SR6012 is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR686 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 Marantz SR6012.

SR6012 TX-NR686
HDMI input/output8/37/2
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 input21
Composite input32
Component input/output2/12/0
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 SR6012 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.

SR6012
9
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 Marantz SR6012.

SR6012 TX-NR686
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, HLGDeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the SR6012 got 10 points, but the TX-NR686 has 7.

SR6012
10
TX-NR686
7

Only the Marantz SR6012 has the ECO mode.

SR6012 TX-NR686
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, 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.

SR6012 TX-NR686
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz AVR Remote AppOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

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

SR6012
7
TX-NR686
7

SR6012 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-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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