Marantz SR7012 vs Onkyo TX-NR696

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR7012 vs TX-NR696 comparison chart

Marantz SR7012 vs Onkyo TX-NR696 review

Marantz SR7012
vs
Onkyo TX-NR696

Let's compare Marantz SR7012 versus Onkyo TX-NR696 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Marantz SR7012 received 9.4 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR696 was rated 7.6 points. The release date of SR7012 is 2017, and TX-NR696 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, SR7012 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than TX-NR696.

Main advantages Marantz SR7012 over Onkyo TX-NR696

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but SR7012 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR696 over Marantz SR7012

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

SR7012
10
TX-NR696
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR7012 supports 11.2-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-NR696 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. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 125/8, 165/6/6 W/Ohm.

SR7012 TX-NR696
Channels11.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm125/8, 165/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

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

SR7012
9
TX-NR696
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 SR7012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

SR7012 TX-NR696
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32AccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audio, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey LFCAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz SR7012 scored 9, and Onkyo TX-NR696 scored 8 out of 10.

SR7012
9
TX-NR696
8

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Marantz SR7012.

SR7012 TX-NR696
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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.

SR7012 TX-NR696
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, PandoraDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, 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 SR7012 got 10 points, but Onkyo TX-NR696 received 7 points.

SR7012
10
TX-NR696
7

Marantz SR7012 is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR696 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 SR7012.

SR7012 TX-NR696
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 input21
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input30
Component input/output3/10/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXHDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
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 SR7012 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the TX-NR696.

SR7012
10
TX-NR696
8

SR7012 TX-NR696
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 HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the SR7012 got 10 points, but the TX-NR696 has 9.

SR7012
10
TX-NR696
9

Only the Marantz SR7012 has the ECO mode.

SR7012 TX-NR696
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, iPad, 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 Controlhas not

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.

SR7012 TX-NR696
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz 2016 AVR Remote App, HEOS AppFlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Marantz SR7012 got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR696 got 7.

SR7012
9
TX-NR696
7

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Marantz SR7012 has Auro-3D on its feature list.

SR7012 TX-NR696
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)has notDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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