Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Onkyo TX-NR797

Onkyo TX-NR797 review

It offers 220 watts per channel at 8 ohms. The Onkyo TX-NR797 offers nine amplified channels and this includes a dedicated Zone 2. Using Dolby's nomenclature this would make the receiver a 5.2.2 model (with the last two digits indicating height). The TX-NR797 is the first Onkyo product to be released under the IMAX Enhanced program, which features DTS:X immersive audio decoding that is optimized to properly reproduce the full dynamic range of IMAX theatrical sound mixes available in digitally re-mastered IMAX Enhanced content. This receiver did not allow me to perform a manual speaker setup and calibration.

Onkyo TX-NR696 review

The TX-NR696 is an AV receiver that delivers 7 x 100 watts of power (6 ohms). The TX-NR696 supports a flexible, 3D-ready, 5.2-channel speaker configuration in the home theater, plus two channels for stereo playback in another room. The outputs on Zone 2 allow you to distribute the amplified analog signal from the audio sources NET, Bluetooth, SPDIF and HDMI either simultaneously in both zones (there is a DAC for Zone 2), or separately. The outputs on Zone 2 and the line output on Zone 2 are activated.

Onkyo TX-NR797 pros & cons

Onkyo TX-NR696 pros & cons