Denon AVR-S660H vs Onkyo TX-NR787

vs

Let's make the Denon AVR-S660H versus Onkyo TX-NR787 comparison. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S660H received 6.7 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR787 was rated 8 points. The release date of AVR-S660H is 2021, and TX-NR787 is 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the TX-NR787 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S660H over Onkyo TX-NR787

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR787 over Denon AVR-S660H

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-S660H supports 5.2-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-NR787 supports a 9.2-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-NR787 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S660H it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S660H 6 out of 10, and the TX-NR787 - 9.

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 on the TX-NR787.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Onkyo TX-NR787 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.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S660H scored 7, and Onkyo TX-NR787 scored 8 out of 10.

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

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

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 7 points on our 10-point scale.

Denon AVR-S660H is equipped with 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR787 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 Denon AVR-S660H.

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 Denon AVR-S660H in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Onkyo TX-NR787 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

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 AVR-S660H were rated 8 out of 10 against the 7 for the TX-NR787.

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 AVR-S660H works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the TX-NR787 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 Denon AVR-S660H.

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 Denon AVR-S660H.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S660H got 10 points, but the TX-NR787 has 8.

Only the Denon AVR-S660H has the ECO mode.

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.

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-S660H got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR787 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-NR787 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-NR787.