When HT enthusiasts talk about top AV receiver brands, Onkyo is most certainly one of them and they have a wide range to choose from. The Onkyo TX-NR686 is an affordable AVR that is packed with features and provides plenty of value to its users. It will require matching speakers to pair with the Onkyo TX-NR686 so to really make them sound their best which is why we are going to find out how we can obtain the right loudspeakers.
The Onkyo TX-NR686 will have its own unique sonic characteristics that we need to learn more about. Finding out its strengths and limitations (if any) will be as important. Once we have garnered such information, we will then be able to use this data and start listing out the best speakers to match with the Onkyo TX-NR686 AV receiver.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Onkyo TX-NR686
The Onkyo TX-NR686 looks bulky and seems to be all about business, it is after all THX-certified and we are sure that it could dish out some serious sound. The rated power output is quite high for an AV receiver at this price point. It is able to deliver 100 Watts into 8 Ohms (2 ch driven) and can go up to 165 Watts into 6 Ohms with 1 channel driven. The typical frequency response is 20Hz to 20kHz but if you use the Direct Mode, it increases to 10Hz–100 kHz (+1dB, -3dB). These specs do allow us to go for most bookshelf speakers and quite a few floor-standing speakers. It is a 7.2 channel AVR which means we can connect up to 2 active subwoofers. and this will be taken into consideration when choosing the speakers.
As a 4K AV receiver, the Onkyo TX-NR686 is able to process 4K UHD video signals, supporting 4K/60Hz, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. It has a powerful built-in D/A converter Asahi Kasei AK4458 (32-bit/384kHz) and you can also play high-resolution music files (PCM-based files up to 24-bit/192kHz). The TX-NR686 is also capable of decoding 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X using a 5.2.2 speaker setup. Other notable features will be Onkyo’s very own room acoustic calibration technology, AccuEQ, which is important as it allows your home theater system to sound it’s very best in any HT room. The high current power amps of the Onkyo TX-NR686 gives us the ability to drive 4-ohm speakers as well which is pretty neat.
Onkyo TX-NR686 A/V Receiver (Renewed)
The Onkyo TX-NR686 is capable of producing plenty of details, providing us with a rich presentation but when we turn on the Direct Mode, more subtle details can be heard and the overall sound has more clarity to it. The clearer and more detailed sound quality does improve the music listening experience, still, there is a trade-off as the overall sound reproduction becomes thinner and lacks weight. For home theater use, we will suggest turning off the Direct Mode or you can do your own sound test to see which is better. The sound field is large which exceeded our expectations and filled with details from the movie.
There is accuracy as well where the sound effects are precisely executed, creating an immersive and expansive surround sound. Tie Fighters and X-Wings flying all around you, swooshing in and out with lasers firing past you or towards the screen, the surround imaging of the Onkyo TX-NR686 clearly captures the intensity of the space battle. The bass reproduction of TX-NR686 is well-controlled, giving weight and presence to the overall presentation. The bass delivery is clean and only hits hard when it needs to. The subterranean level bass impact really kicks hard but overall, this Onkyo AVR is not as punchy as we want it to be.
Balanced and clean, this is what we keep thinking when we listen to Onkyo TX-NR686. The overall sonic character is neutral and does not sound overly bright even when we cranked up the volume. You can really push the volume and the Onkyo TX-NR686 remains composed without any shrilling edges which is great if you want to watch more than 1 movie. You might need powerful high-quality ported subwoofers to get a punchier performance but if you prefer a well-balanced HT performance then the Onkyo TX-NR686 is definitely it. We have gathered enough information and finally, we can start listing out the best speakers which you can go for and match them with your Onkyo TX-NR686 AV receiver.
Onkyo TX-NR686 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 100 Watts per channel at 8 Ohms with 2 channels driven, 165 Watts into 6 Ohms with 1 channel driven
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz, 10Hz–100 kHz (+1dB, -3dB, Direct Mode)
- DAC: Asahi Kasei AK4458 (32-bit/384kHz)
- Wireless: Bluetooth, Apple Airplay 2, WiFi
- Inputs: 7 HDMI inputs, 1 Phono input, 1 USB input, 6 Analog inputs, 2 Optical inputs, 1 Coaxial input, Ethernet port
- Outputs: Headphone output, 2 Subwoofer outputs, 1 HDMI ARC, 1 HDMI output, 1 Zone 2
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 435mm x 173.5mm x 379.5mm (17.1″ × 6.8″ × 14.9″)
- Weight: 10kg (22lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Onkyo TX-NR686
The Dali Zensor 1 5.1 is one of the best speaker packages that you can go for and pair them up with your Onkyo TX-N686 AV receiver. They are an award-winning home cinema speaker pack and have great dynamics which complement the TX-N686 AVR by adding more excitement. The control and pacing are impeccable, it can be quiet when it needs to and be lively the next as the movie commands. The speed of delivery is also incredible when comparing with other speaker packs in the same price range. If you want more energy and faster pacing then perhaps the Dali Zensor 1 5.1 will be ideal for you.
More Information at Amazon – DALI Zensor 1
The Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 is another amazing award-winning home cinema speaker pack that is great for both music and home theater usage. It is also a suitable match with your Onkyo TX-NR686 AV receiver. The high performance and detailed bass reproduction of the Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 are exceptional which adds more punch to the overall sound reproduction without compromising the sound quality. The Q Acoustics 5.1 pack consists of high-caliber speakers that have garnered plenty of accolades over the years. When pushed to high volumes, it does not sound shrill or harsh which makes it pleasing to listen to.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 Plus Home Theater System
If clarity and lively performance are what really matters to you then the Klipsch speakers will be the ideal choices but they can be bright-sounding though. For the front main channels (L/R), you can go with Klipsch Synergy Black Label F-300 which is a large floor-stander with dual 8″ woofers. Due to its high efficiency, your Onkyo TX-NR686 can easily drive the Klipsch Synergy Black Label F-300. For the surround channels, you can choose the matching Klipsch Synergy Black Label B-100 bookshelf speakers. The center channel piece should be Klipsch Synergy Black Label C-200 and the subwoofer will be Synergy Black Label Sub-100. The overall sonic performance of this combination will provide you with a high level of clarity and details, not to mention, energetic treble.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch Synergy Black Label F-300
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch Synergy Black Label Sub-100 Subwoofer
If bass performance is very important for you, you might want to take a look at SVS Prime Satellite 5.1. Comparing with the other subwoofers mentioned earlier, the SVS SB-1000 is more powerful and has higher bass quality. The SB-1000 is a 300 Watts RMS sealed subwoofer that has articulate and agile bass reproduction. The SVS Prime Satellites are excellent HT speakers and are able to produce plenty of details with clarity. The speakers may not be suitable for music but the SVS SB-1000 subwoofer sure is. We will suggest getting another SB-1000 to connect to Onkyo TX-NR686 so to increase the output and headroom for more powerful bass performance.
More Info at Amazon – SVS Prime Satellite 5.1
Planning to watch movies using Dolby Atmos audio format, then you will need to set your speakers up to 5.2.2 formation. You can either use Dolby Atmos speakers such as Klipsch RP-8060FA which already have a built-in Elevation Channel or completely separated like the Klipsch RP-140SA Dolby Atmos speaker. Both have their advantages, for instance, if you go for Klipsch RP-140SA, you can choose to place them on either the front mains or rear channels. In-ceiling speakers such as the Q Acoustics QI65C will be another option that has more accuracy and quality but they may cost more as you need to install them into the ceiling.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch RP-8060 FA Dolby Atmos Floorstanding Speaker
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch RP-140SA Dolby Atmos Speaker
In a home theater setup, powered subwoofers are essentials as they are not only capable of producing very deep bass with prominence but also help to ease the load off the AV receiver by taking over the bass reproduction role. Sealed cabinet subwoofers such as SVS SB-1000 are great for both music and home theater use. If your Onkyo TX-NR686 is dedicated to only playing movies, we will suggest going with ported cabinet design subwoofers. Ported subs such as SVS PB-1000 are more efficient when it comes to bass output and has higher maximum SPL. This is why ported design subs are usually better for home theater performances.
More Details at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 10″ Ported Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
These are some of the best speakers that you can opt to go for, and they are not just matching with your Onkyo TX-NR686 but also quite affordable without compromising the sound quality. We will highly recommend that you audition these speakers first before seriously considering them. If possible, you should do side-by-side comparisons as this will be easier for you to hear any difference in sound quality, and more importantly, which speakers you find that it sounds better to your ears.
