Let's make the Yamaha RX-S602 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-S602 received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the TX-NR686 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-S602 supports 5.1-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 RX-S602 it is 125/6 W/Ohm.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.1 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 80/8, 125/6 | 165/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.
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.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit | VLSC 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | AccuEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Advanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz | Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio |
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, Yamaha RX-S602 got 6 points, but Onkyo TX-NR686 received 8 points.
Yamaha RX-S602 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR686 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
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 Yamaha RX-S602 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Onkyo TX-NR686 has the HDCP 2.2 version.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the TX-NR686 has a Phono interface.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 4/1 | 7/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 3 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX | HDMI, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✖ |
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 RX-S602 were rated 6 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
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 features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-S602 got 8 points, but the TX-NR686 has 7.
Only the Yamaha RX-S602 has the ECO mode.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Google Assistant |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | fluorescent |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✖ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | IP Control |
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.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | MusicCast | Onkyo Controller app, FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
Yamaha RX-S602 got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR686 got 7.
Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Onkyo TX-NR686 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.
DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the TX-NR686.
RX-S602 | TX-NR686 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby 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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |