Onkyo TX-NR696
Pros
- Tons of Features
- Sounds Great with Music & Movies
Cons
- Needs More Finesse
The Onkyo TX-NR696 packs in a ton of features and technology into one sleek package. It’s perfect for the audiophile or home theater enthusiast looking to upgrade their setup. With support for all the latest surround sound formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it’ll give you that truly immersive movie and music experience. Plus, with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, you can easily stream your favorite tunes or podcasts straight from your phone or tablet. All in all, this puppy is a real powerhouse, but let’s take a look at what’s under the hood.
Let’s start with the power output. The Onkyo TX-NR696 has a power output of 110 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, THD 0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC) which is more than enough to fill a large room with sound and provide a decent listening experience.
Along with all this juice, the 696 is also one of the few receivers on the market that is THX certified. The certification is a guarantee that the equipment has been rigorously tested and meets or exceeds industry standards for performance and reliability, providing a high-quality experience to the users. Home theater amps are run the through the ringer in order to become THX certified and the Onkyo 696 is one of the few that make it through the gauntlet.
One of the major features of the Onkyo TX-NR696 is its compatibility with various audio formats. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are popular surround sound formats. These formats allow for a more immersive audio experience by providing a sense of height and depth to the soundstage. It also has built-in support for 4K HDR video, which means you can enjoy your movies and TV shows in stunning detail.
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The Onkyo TX-NR696 also comes with a built-in Chromecast, which makes it easy to stream your favorite music and podcasts from your smartphone or tablet. You can also use the Google Assistant to control the receiver with your voice, which is handy. Plus, it has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so you can connect to streaming services like
Connectivity
The 696 is a versatile device when it comes to its inputs and outputs. It has a variety of options for connecting all of your audio and video equipment, making it a great choice for those looking to upgrade their home theater system.
Starting with the inputs, the Onkyo TX-NR696 has seven HDMI inputs and two output, which allows you to connect all of your HDMI-enabled devices, such as a cable box, a gaming console, and a 4K Blu-ray player. Additionally, it has multiple analog audio connections and also has two digital audio inputs (1 optical and 1 coaxial) to connect your devices that have digital audio output.
The Onkyo TX-NR696 also has a variety of outputs to connect your speakers, subwoofers, and other audio equipment. It has two subwoofer pre-outs, which allows you to connect a powered subwoofer to your system. Additionally, it has powered Zone 2 line out which enables you to set up a multi-room audio system.
If that wasn’t enough, the Onkyo TX-NR696 includes a phono input for connecting a turntable, a front-panel USB port for connecting USB storage , a built-in FM/AM tuner, and a headphone output for personal listening. (whew!)
Onkyo TX-NR696 Performance
Let’s start with the bass output. The TX-NR696 has a built-in subwoofer output, which means you can connect a powered subwoofer to really pump up the bass. This will give you that deep, thumping bass that’s perfect for rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. The bass is tight and controlled, (not sloppy) so it doesn’t overpower the other instruments, which makes for a more balanced sound.
The treble is also impressive on the TX-NR696. The high frequencies are crisp and clear, which makes for a very detailed sound. This is especially noticeable when you’re listening to live recordings or acoustic music, where you can hear every single nuance and subtlety of the performance. The treble also adds a sense of airiness and spaciousness to the soundstage, which makes the music feel more open and natural.
The mid-range maybe the most important part of the audio spectrum, as it’s where most of the instruments and vocals fall. The TX-NR696 reproduces the mid-range with a high degree of accuracy and clarity, which makes for a very natural and realistic sound. The vocals are particularly impressive, as they sound very lifelike and present. The mid-range is also very well balanced, which means that the instruments and vocals don’t overpower each other, which makes for a more cohesive and pleasing sound.
When it comes to movies, the TX-NR696 is also a real powerhouse. The built-in surround sound technology, like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, creates a truly immersive experience that’ll make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. These surround sound formats allow for a much more realistic and natural soundstage, with sound coming from all around you, rather than just the front speakers. The bass is also impressive when watching movies, it’s tight and controlled, which makes for a more immersive experience. The dialogue is also crystal clear, which makes it easy to hear everything that’s being said, even in action-packed scenes.
If there is one drawback to the sound quality of the 696, its that sometimes the amp could make do with a touch more finesse. Sometimes the receiver is almost too forward sounding which is great for rock or hip hop. But for music that requires more refinement the TX-NR696 may be a little too aggressive.
Conclusion
The Onkyo TX-NR696 is a great option for a home theater setup. It has a variety of features that make it perfect for movie and TV watching. Firstly, its built-in surround sound technology, like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, creates a truly immersive experience that’ll make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. This means that the sound comes from all around you, rather than just the front speakers, which makes the movie-watching experience much more realistic. The audio quality is also top-notch, the clarity and separation of the instruments is fantastic, which makes for a truly immersive listening experience. Additionally, the TX-NR696 has built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, which means you can easily stream your favorite movies and TV shows straight from your phone or tablet. All in all, the Onkyo TX-NR696 is a great choice for most home theater setups and is one of the best amps on the market.
