The Onkyo TX-NR696 is a feature-packed AV receiver that offers a lot of value for its price point.
Whether you’re a home theater enthusiast or a music lover, this receiver has something to offer. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Onkyo TX-NR696‘s features, performance, and overall value, to help you decide if it’s the right receiver for you (>>> Check on Amazon).
Onkyo TX-NR696 Review of Specifications:
| Onkyo TX-NR696 | |
|---|---|
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| Amplifier | 7.2 Channel (100W per channel) |
| Audio features | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Neural:X, DTS Virtual:X, and Auro-3D |
| Video | 4K/60Hz |
| Smart features | Sonos, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, DTS Play-Fi and FlareConnect |
| Connections | 6 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17.1" x 6.8" x 14.9" |
| Weight | 22 lbs |
| Price | Check on Amazon |
Design
The Onkyo TX-NR696 has a sleek and modern design that will complement any home theater setup. The front panel has a simple layout with a large display screen, a volume knob, and several buttons for quick access to common functions such as input selection and surround sound modes.
The rear panel is well-organized and clearly labeled, making it easy to connect your various audio and video components. The receiver is available in black color and has a clean and classic design that will match any home décor.
The dimensions are 17 1/8″ x 6 3/4″ x 14 3/4″ (W x H x D) and it weighs around 22.5 pounds, making it a medium-sized receiver that will fit comfortably in most entertainment centers.
Pros
- Support for the latest audio and video formats, including 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, which delivers an immersive and dynamic listening and viewing experience.
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for easy streaming from your phone, tablet, or computer.
- Intuitive interface and easy-to-use remote control make it simple to navigate and customize settings.
- AccuEQ room acoustic calibration allows you to optimize the sound for your specific room and speakers
Cons
- Limited voice control options
- Some users may find the on-board menu navigation a bit complex
Amplifier
The Onkyo TX-NR696 is a 7.2-channel AV receiver that is rated to deliver a powerful and dynamic audio experience. The amplifier section of the receiver is rated to deliver a continuous power output of 100 watts per channel (into 8 ohms, at 1 kHz, with 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven) and is able to handle a wide range of speaker loads, from 4 to 16 ohms.
The receiver uses Onkyo’s own WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) which is designed to deliver a high-current power supply for accurate and dynamic sound reproduction.
It’s also equipped with a high-current power transformer and large capacitors, that provide ample energy to handle demanding audio signals and help to minimize distortion, even at high volume levels. The Onkyo TX-NR696 also features an advanced 32-bit DSP engine that processes audio signals with high precision to deliver a clear and detailed soundstage.
Sound features
The Onkyo TX-NR696 offers a wide range of sound features that are designed to deliver an immersive and dynamic audio experience. Some of the key features include:
- Support for the latest audio formats: The receiver supports a wide range of audio formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Neural:X, DTS Virtual:X, and Auro-3D. These formats provide an immersive surround sound experience with overhead sound effects, creating a more realistic and engaging listening experience.
- AccuEQ Room Acoustic Calibration: The Onkyo TX-NR696 features AccuEQ room acoustic calibration, which allows you to optimize the sound for your specific room and speakers. The system measures the speaker distance, level, and crossover, and then applies EQ adjustments to ensure a balanced and natural soundstage.
- THX Certified Select: The Onkyo TX-NR696 is THX Certified Select, which means it meets the highest standards for home theater sound quality. The receiver has been thoroughly tested to ensure that it can deliver accurate and powerful sound that meets THX’s strict performance standards.
- High-Resolution Audio: The Onkyo TX-NR696 supports high-resolution audio formats such as FLAC, WAV, and ALAC, which allows you to enjoy your music with a high level of detail and clarity.
- Zone 2 Audio: The Onkyo TX-NR696 allows you to enjoy audio in another room by sending audio to a separate zone. This feature allows you to enjoy music or other audio in one room while watching a movie or TV show in another room.
- Music Optimizer: The Onkyo TX-NR696 features a music optimizer, which can enhance the sound quality of compressed music files, such as MP3s, to make them sound closer to the original recording.
Video
The Onkyo TX-NR696 offers a wide range of video features that are designed to deliver an immersive and high-quality visual experience. Some of the key features include:
- 4K Ultra HD Pass-through and Upscaling: The Onkyo TX-NR696 supports 4K Ultra HD pass-through and upscaling, which allows you to enjoy the highest quality video possible. The receiver can pass through 4K video signals to your TV without any loss of quality, while also upscaling lower resolution video signals to 4K.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support: The Onkyo TX-NR696 supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) which allows for a wider range of colors, brighter whites, and deeper blacks, resulting in a more dynamic and lifelike picture.
- HDMI Support: The Onkyo TX-NR696 has 6 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output, which allows you to connect a variety of video sources, such as a Blu-ray player, a gaming console, and a streaming device.
- HDCP 2.2 Support: The Onkyo TX-NR696 supports HDCP 2.2, which is a content protection system for 4K video. This ensures that you can enjoy protected content, such as 4K streaming services and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, without any interruption.
- Video Processing: The Onkyo TX-NR696 features advanced video processing, which allows you to adjust the picture quality to your liking. The receiver has a variety of picture controls such as contrast, brightness, color, and sharpness, that can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
- ISF Video Calibration: The Onkyo TX-NR696 also supports ISF Video Calibration, which allows you to fine-tune the picture to your exact preferences, ensuring that you get the best possible picture quality.
Connectivity & Smart Features
The Onkyo TX-NR696 offers a wide range of connectivity options to connect your various audio and video components.
It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which allow you to stream music from your phone, tablet, or computer with ease.
You can also use the Onkyo Controller app to control the receiver from your mobile device.
Additionally, it supports DLNA, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in for streaming music from your PC, Apple device or Google Home App respectively.
The receiver also has 6 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output, which allows you to connect a variety of video sources, such as a Blu-ray player, a gaming console, and a streaming device.
Furthermore, the Onkyo TX-NR696 has a USB input, which allows you to connect a USB drive and play music from it.
It also has a dedicated phono input for connecting a turntable and the capability of sending audio to another room, which is known as multi-zone audio feature.
All these connectivity options make the Onkyo TX-NR696 a versatile and easy-to-use receiver that can handle all of your entertainment needs.
Conclusion
The Onkyo TX-NR696 is a powerful and versatile AV receiver that offers a wide range of features for both home theater and music enthusiasts (>>> Find the current price on Amazon). With support for the latest video and audio formats, including 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X, this receiver delivers an immersive and dynamic listening experience.