Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Pioneer VSX-LX102 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Pioneer VSX-LX102 review

Onkyo TX-NR696
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX102

The present review is aimed to compare two AV receivers - Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Pioneer VSX-LX102 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-NR696 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 165/6 when VSX-LX102 has a power of 80/8, 170/6. The THD is the same and is 0.08%.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit for TX-NR696 and AK4438 384 KHz/32-bit for the VSX-LX102. Both the TX-NR696 and the VSX-LX102 support Bi-amping. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Onkyo TX-NR696 has support for AirPlay, AirPlay 2, and its competitor in our comparison - AirPlay. Spotify can be used on each receiver. Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio - all of these streaming services have found application in each of the models.

Video features

Both AV receivers support HDR10 technology (High dynamic range). 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 rivals can scale the resolution of the incoming HDMI signal. The HDR standard - Dolby Vision is supported by these receivers.

Extensive connections

The Onkyo TX-NR696 has 7/2 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 4/1 HDMI connectors of the Pioneer VSX-LX102.Onkyo TX-NR696 connectionsPioneer VSX-LX102 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. An ECO mode is only available for the VSX-LX102. Both TX-NR696 and VSX-LX102 can be configured using the Setup assistant.

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-NR696
Pioneer VSX-LX102

Model

TX-NR696
VSX-LX102

Brand

Onkyo
Pioneer

Reviews

146
58

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

165/6
80/8, 170/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
AK4438 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

AccuEQ
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio
Reflex Optimizer, Advanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

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 2
AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

7/2
4/1

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

1
1

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

0
2

Component input/output

0/0
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

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

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020
x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control

Google Assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

fluorescent
colour OSD

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
has not

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
has not

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

FlareConnect
FlareConnect

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
1/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
1

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
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

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

570
480

Standby consumption, W

0.15
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 17.3 x 37.9/17 x 6.8 x 14.5
43.5 x 17.3 x 32/17 x 6.8 x 12.6

Weight, kg/lbs

12.5/26.4
8.6/19

Other

Release year

2019
2013
Onkyo TX-NR696
Pioneer VSX-LX102
Onkyo TX-NR696
Pioneer VSX-LX102

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.6
  • 7.1
  • 7.6Onkyo TX-NR696
  • 7.1Pioneer VSX-LX102