Yamaha RX-V681BL vs Onkyo TX-NR656

RX-V681BL vs TX-NR656 comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V681BL vs Onkyo TX-NR656 review

Yamaha RX-V681BL vs Onkyo TX-NR656

Yamaha RX-V681BL vs Onkyo TX-NR656: Which Home Theater Receiver is Better for the Money

Selecting a 7.2-channel, feature-rich AV receiver, compare the top models’ functionality and performance. Is Onkyo TX-NR656 vs Yamaha RX-V681BL more powerful and solid? Which amp sounds better?

Features

First of all, the difference is in the streaming system. The Onkyo receiver is powered by Google Chromecast technology that is advanced and multitasking. However, it doesn’t support video output. Yamaha’s MusicCast is good, extensive and versatile multi-room solution, but it’s still not perfect. Both devices are feature-rich, supporting multiple formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, coming with innovative Bluetooth and Wi-Fi opportunities. However, Yamaha RX-V681BL receiver is compatible with Alexa, enabling voice control. Additionally, it is equipped with YPAO sound optimization technology while its Onkyo counterpart comes with AccuEQ auto-calibration system.

Connections

Both amplifiers are rich in connections. Onkyo TX-NR656 stands out by generous 8 HDMI inputs, the Yamaha receiver has 3 audio and multiple video inputs, a component monitor output. Both home theaters come with the beneficial phono inputs, enabling the turntable connections. Additionally, the USB port of the Yamaha RX-V681BL amp is located on the front panel. The Onkyo receiver’s USB connection is rear. As to the usability, Yamaha amp’s remote is not universal, cluttered with multiple unnecessary buttons, not universal. The user interface is quite short, but not intuitive. The manual is not very clear, but the users recommend to read a PDF version on CD or online before the use. Unfortunately, a hard copy is not available. The remote connection is told to be underpowered. However, the front panel stands out by 4 programmable scene buttons that are very handy. Onkyo TX-NR656 is easier to set up. Its smartphone app and remote is user-friendly and simple, the menu is straightforward. “Quick menu” is available. Some Bluetooth and Android app issues still happen. It may connect at the second or the third attempt.

Performance

Onkyo TX-NR656 vs Yamaha RX-V681BL is more powerful. It features up to 100W per channel versus 90W (at 8 ohms) it’s Yamaha counterpart supplies. The TX-NR656 model sounds great, focusing on movies reproduction, but music performance is impressive, as well. Bass response is still weaker than of its counterpart. Yamaha amp’s sound is outstanding, notable for clear dialogues, natural and smooth vocals, rich, deep bass, due to low distortion.

Conclusion

Onkyo TX-NR656 is a feature-rich, powerful home theater. It has 8 HDMI inputs, being quite user-friendly and easy to set up, but a bit slow. On the other hand, Yamaha RX-V681BL amplifier is high-performance and advanced. It works with Alexa voice assistant and produces excellent, natural and clear sound, standing out by multiple audio/video ports and handy front panel.

Onkyo TX-NR656 review

The AV receiver is feature-rich and powerful. It supports multiple modern formats, has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The amp comes with 8 HDMI inputs. A Phono input is available, as well. The home theater produces great sound that is still not too rich in bass. It is simple and easy to use, but slow, coming with an intuitive menu and interface.

Pros:

  • easy to set up
  • powerful
  • affordable

Cons:

  • semi-plastic case

Yamaha RX-V681BL review

The home theater is innovative and high-performance. It enables Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, working with Alexa. Coming with 6 HDMI inputs, the amplifier is notable for 12 audio/video ports, including the essential phono input. The amp produces incredible, clear and natural sound, but the menu and the remote are not the most intuitive.

Pros:

  • excellent sound quality
  • a solid set of features

Cons:

  • cluttered remote and user interface

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Rating 5 5
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Common

Product

Yamaha RX-V681BL
Onkyo TX-NR656

Model

RX-V681BL
TX-NR656

Brand

Yamaha
Onkyo

Reviews

316
301

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

90/8, 150/4
160/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 4
6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.06
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit
Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

YPAO
AccuEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass
Theater-Dimensional, Double Bass Function, CinemaFILTER

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

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

Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster, JUKE, Qobuz
Deezer, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

6/1
8/2

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

2
1

Composite input

4
2

Component input/output

2/1
2/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

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

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

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, 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
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

MusicCast
Onkyo Remote App, FlareConnect

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

1
0

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
has not

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

DTS-EXPRESS
has not

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

400
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 23.4 x 37.8/ 17 x 9 x 14.5
57 x 28.8 x 46.8/22.4 x 11 x 18.1

Weight, kg/lbs

10/22.1
13/28.6

Other

Release year

2016
2016
Yamaha RX-V681BL
Onkyo TX-NR656
Yamaha RX-V681BL
Onkyo TX-NR656

AV receivers CHooseratoR comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.8
  • 7.2
  • 7.8Yamaha RX-V681BL
  • 7.2Onkyo TX-NR656