Onkyo TX-NR555 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Onkyo TX-NR555 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 review

Onkyo TX-NR555
vs
Onkyo TX-NR686

The present review is aimed to compare two AV receivers - Onkyo TX-NR555 vs Onkyo TX-NR686 that are meant to satisfy the needs of cinema and music lovers.

Amplifier

Considered AV receivers have the same number of channels 7.2. Regarding power, then TX-NR555 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 130/6 when TX-NR686 has a power of 165/6. The THD is the same and is 0.08%.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bit for TX-NR555 and VLSC 384 KHz/32-bit for the TX-NR686. Both the TX-NR555 and the TX-NR686 support Bi-amping. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

WI-FI modules have the same characteristics: 2.4/5GHz. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Apple Music service is implemented on considered devices: AirPlay. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The TX-NR555 can work with the audio stream from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, and the TX-NR686 can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio. Compared AV receivers retain the quality of 4K/60Hz signal when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector. HDMI signal transmission in standby mode is implemented in each of the devices. Both competitors are not able to scale the HDMI signal. Dolby Vision technology found support only on the TX-NR686.

Extensive connections

The Onkyo TX-NR555 has 6/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 7/2 HDMI connectors of the Onkyo TX-NR686.Onkyo TX-NR555 connectionsOnkyo TX-NR686 connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. Unfortunately, HDMI eARC is not available on monitored devices. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. Both models support the standard HDCP 2.2. These compared receivers have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Each of the AV receivers from our review supports 2 Multi-room zones. An ECO mode is only available for the TX-NR555. The setup assistant will help you configure Onkyo TX-NR686.

Multichannel surround

Both devices have support for Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format. The surround sound technology DTS:X is supported by devices under review.

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General

Item

Onkyo TX-NR555
Onkyo TX-NR686

Model

TX-NR555
TX-NR686

Brand

Onkyo
Onkyo

Reviews

82
146

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

130/6
165/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bit
VLSC 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

AccuEQ
AccuEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Double Bass Function, CinemaFILTER
Advanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz
2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay
AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora
Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

6/1
7/2

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
2

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

2/0
2/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

phones, setup mic, AUX
HDMI, phones, setup mic

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

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

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

DeepColor, x.v.Color
DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control

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

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

FlareConnect
Onkyo Controller app, FlareConnect

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
0

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

has not
Dolby Digital Plus

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

has not
DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

460
570

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.15

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 17.3 x 37.8/17 x 6.7 x 14.5
43.5 x 17.3 x 37.9/17 x 6.8 x 15.6

Weight, kg/lbs

9.4/20.7
10/22.1

Other

Release year

2016
2018
Onkyo TX-NR555
Onkyo TX-NR686
Onkyo TX-NR555
Onkyo TX-NR686

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7
  • 7.2
  • 7Onkyo TX-NR555
  • 7.2Onkyo TX-NR686