Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Elite VSX-LX105 vs TX-NR686 comparison chart

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

Let's make the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 received 8.3 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX105 is 2021, and TX-NR686 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the Elite VSX-LX105 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 over Onkyo TX-NR686

  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

  • HDMI CEC is present.

Amplifiers

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

Elite VSX-LX105
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 Elite VSX-LX105 this value is 210/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR686 it is 165/6 W/Ohm.

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 210/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response20Hz-20KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

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

Elite VSX-LX105
9
TX-NR686
9

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Onkyo TX-NR686 has Pure Direct mode.

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.

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-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, Dirac Live Room CorrectionAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

Elite VSX-LX105
8
TX-NR686
8

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

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB2 (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.

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloudDeezer, 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, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 got 7 points, but Onkyo TX-NR686 received 8 points.

Elite VSX-LX105
7
TX-NR686
8

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 is equipped with 6/2 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 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105.

HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The TX-NR686 features HDMI CEC.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Onkyo TX-NR686 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
HDMI input/output6/27/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input02
Component input/output02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, 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 Elite VSX-LX105 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.

Elite VSX-LX105
8
TX-NR686
7

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The Elite VSX-LX105 works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the TX-NR686 has the 4K/60Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available only on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105.

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 Elite VSX-LX105.

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSyncDeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX105 got 9 points, but the TX-NR686 has 7.

Elite VSX-LX105
9
TX-NR686
7

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIGoogle 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 featuresApp Control, Sonos Connect 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.

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control AppOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
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.

Elite VSX-LX105
7
TX-NR686
7

Elite VSX-LX105 TX-NR686
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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