Yamaha RX-V4A vs Onkyo TX-NR686

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

RX-V4A vs TX-NR686 comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V4A vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Yamaha RX-V4A
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

Let's make the Yamaha RX-V4A versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V4A received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of RX-V4A is 2020, and TX-NR686 is 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.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V4A over Onkyo TX-NR686

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

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Yamaha RX-V4A

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 165/6 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 80/6 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, TX-NR686 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

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

RX-V4A
6
TX-NR686
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V4A supports 5.2-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 RX-V4A it is 80/6 W/Ohm.

RX-V4A TX-NR686
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm80/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.060.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V4A 7 out of 10, and the TX-NR686 - 9.

RX-V4A
7
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.

RX-V4A TX-NR686
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AVLSC 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationYPAOAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V4A scored 9, and Onkyo TX-NR686 scored 8 out of 10.

RX-V4A
9
TX-NR686
8

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

RX-V4A 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.

RX-V4A TX-NR686
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, QobuzDeezer, 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, Yamaha RX-V4A got 5 points, but Onkyo TX-NR686 received 8 points.

RX-V4A
5
TX-NR686
8

Yamaha RX-V4A is equipped with 4/1 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 Yamaha RX-V4A.

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-V4A 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-V4A TX-NR686
HDMI input/output4/17/2
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)02
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input02
Component input/output0/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micHDMI, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 7 out of 10.

RX-V4A
7
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 RX-V4A 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 Yamaha RX-V4A.

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 Yamaha RX-V4A.

RX-V4A TX-NR686
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 7 out of 10.

RX-V4A
7
TX-NR686
7

Only the Yamaha RX-V4A has the ECO mode.

RX-V4A TX-NR686
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SiriGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
TunerFMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)N/A
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresApp 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.

RX-V4A TX-NR686
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlMusicCastOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-V4A got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR686 got 7.

RX-V4A
5
TX-NR686
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-V4A 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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here