Onkyo TX-NR656 vs Pioneer VSX-832

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

TX-NR656 vs VSX-832 comparison chart

Onkyo TX-NR656 vs Pioneer VSX-832 review

Onkyo TX-NR656
vs
Pioneer VSX-832

Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Onkyo TX-NR656 versus Pioneer VSX-832 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-NR656 received 7.2 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-832 was rated 6 points. The release date of TX-NR656 is 2016, and VSX-832 is 2017. As a result, it becomes clear that TX-NR656 is a better option for home theater than VSX-832.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR656 over Pioneer VSX-832

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, TX-NR656 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-832 over Onkyo TX-NR656

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

TX-NR656
7
VSX-832
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Onkyo TX-NR656 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-832 supports a 5.1-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 VSX-832 this value is 165/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR656 it is 160/6 W/Ohm.

TX-NR656 VSX-832
Channels7.25.1
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm160/680/8, 165/6
Output impedance, Ohm68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the TX-NR656 9 out of 10, and the VSX-832 - 7.

TX-NR656
9
VSX-832
7

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the TX-NR656.

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.

TX-NR656 VSX-832
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bitAK4438 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAccuEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresTheater-Dimensional, Double Bass Function, CinemaFILTERAdvanced Sound Retriever, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 7 out of 10.

TX-NR656
7
VSX-832
7

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

TX-NR656 VSX-832
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (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.

TX-NR656 VSX-832
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TuneIn RadioDeezer, 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, Onkyo TX-NR656 got 7 points, but Pioneer VSX-832 received 6 points.

TX-NR656
7
VSX-832
6

Onkyo TX-NR656 is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-832 has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the TX-NR656 has a Phono interface.

TX-NR656 VSX-832
HDMI input/output8/24/1
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)21
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsHDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 TX-NR656 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-832.

TX-NR656
9
VSX-832
8

TX-NR656 VSX-832
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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.ColorDeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-NR656 got 7 points, but the VSX-832 has 6.

TX-NR656
7
VSX-832
6

TX-NR656 VSX-832
Voice control
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas nothas 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.

TX-NR656 VSX-832
Multi-room zones2has not
Zone audio outputspeaker, preouthas not
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlOnkyo Remote App, FlareConnecthas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

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

TX-NR656
7
VSX-832
7

TX-NR656 VSX-832
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)has notDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)has notDTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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