Onkyo TX-NR797 vs Onkyo TX-NR686

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

TX-NR797 vs TX-NR686 comparison chart

Onkyo TX-NR797 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Onkyo TX-NR797
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

Let's make the Onkyo TX-NR797 versus Onkyo TX-NR686 comparison. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-NR797 received 8.5 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR686 was rated 7.2 points. The release date of TX-NR797 is 2019, and TX-NR686 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the TX-NR797 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR797 over Onkyo TX-NR686

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but TX-NR797 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR686 over Onkyo TX-NR797

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

TX-NR797
9
TX-NR686
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Onkyo TX-NR797 supports 9.2-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-NR797 this value is 220/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-NR686 it is 165/6 W/Ohm.

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 220/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

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

TX-NR797
9
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.

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bitVLSC 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAccuEQAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio, Dynamic Audio AmplificationAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

TX-NR797
8
TX-NR686
8

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

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
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.

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, 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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.

TX-NR797
8
TX-NR686
8

Competitors in our review have 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
HDMI input/output7/27/2
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 input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output1/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsHDMI, 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 TX-NR797 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR686.

TX-NR797
8
TX-NR686
7

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 Onkyo TX-NR797.

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-NR797 got 9 points, but the TX-NR686 has 7.

TX-NR797
9
TX-NR686
7

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
Voice controlGoogle AssistantGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP 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.

TX-NR797 TX-NR686
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectOnkyo Controller app, FlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

Onkyo TX-NR797 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR686 got 7.

TX-NR797
8
TX-NR686
7

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. Only the TX-NR797 licensed by IMAX.

TX-NR797 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-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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