While the Onkyo TX-NR686 and TX-NR787 have the same power output of 100 Watts per channel (2-channel driven into 8 ohm loads, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD), the number of amplification channels is different: the TX-NR787 has 9 power amps vs 7 power amps on the TX-NR686 (the TX-NR585 also has 7 power amps). That being said, the power output on the TX-NR585 is lower than the TX-NR686 because the TX-NR585 is rated at 80 Watts per channel (2-channel driven into 8 ohm loads, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD). Nevertheless, the TX-NR585 is still able to drive speakers with 4 ohms of impedance, just like the TX-NR686 and TX-NR787. Only the TX-NR787 is able to power Zone 2 and 3 simultaneously, though, which is thanks to the two additional power amplification channels in comparison to the TX-NR686 and TX-NR585. Doing that, however, leaves the TX-NR787 with only 5 amplification channels for the Main room, and rules out the possibility of bi-amping the front speakers because the binding posts that are dedicated for that purpose are also used for Zone 2 and Height 1. The TX-NR686 and TX-NR585 are able to power Zone 2 alongside with a 5.1 channel system in your main room but don't have any powered Zone 2A and 2B functionality, though.
All three Onkyo receivers support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X but due to the difference in the power amplification channels, the supported speaker configurations also vary. Specifically, the TX-NR585 and TX-NR686 are limited to driving only a 5.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos, without the possibility of using an external amplifier for expanding Dolby Atmos in your main room because they have only 2 pre-outs for the subwoofer(s). There are also 2 line-outs but they are intended to connect a pre-main amplifier in Zone 2. The TX-NR787 also utilizes the same setup (2 subwoofer pre-outs and 2 line-outs for Zone 2) so it cannot rely on an external amplifier for expanding Dolby Atmos. That being said, owing to its 9 power amps, the TX-NR787 is able to drive up to 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos speaker systems.
Unlike their predecessors which are incompatible with Sonos, the current line-up of NR-series Onkyo receivers: the TX-NR787, TX-NR686, and TX-NR585 are certified as "Works with Sonos". This is one of the very few differences between TX-NR686 vs TX-NR676, as well as TX-NR585 vs TX-NR575. It should be said, though, that this functionality is added by a firmware update (for the TX-NR787, TX-NR686, and TX-NR585), and in order to use your receiver with a Sonos system you'll also need the Sonos Connect (sold separately). The previous generation of NR-series receivers from Onkyo (e.g. TX-NR676, TX-NR575) also require a firmware update for supporting DTS Play-Fi, Flare Connect, and Chromecast built-in whereas the TX-NR787, TX-NR686, and TX-NR585 have these features out of the box. Still, there are some services, such as Amazon Music and Deezer HiFi that are supported after a firmware update on both generations of NR-series receivers.
The TX-NR686 and TX-NR787 are THX certified whereas the TX-NR585 is not. Neither was its predecessor, the TX-NR575, so there is no difference it that regard between the TX-NR575 vs TX-NR585. When it comes to the TX-NR676 vs TX-NR686, though, it should be said that the TX-NR676 omitted the certification, meaning that its successor, the TX-NR686, has an advantage in terms of playing soundtracks at THX reference levels in the different THX listening modes that are present THX certified receivers, provided the room it's placed in has a volume of up to 2,000 ft3 (57 m3), and distance from the screen is about 10 ft. (3 meters) because the certification level is THX Select. The same applies to the TX-NR787 as well.
The TX-NR585 lacks the front HDMI input that both the TX-NR686 and TX-NR787 have. The second rear HDMI output is also omitted, meaning that the TX-NR585 has only one HDMI output whereas the TX-NR686 and TX-NR787 have two: Main and Sub. There is no difference, however, in the number of rear HDMI inputs since all three Onkyo receivers have 6 inputs, all of which are full-bandwidth (in terms of HDMI 2.0 specification), and are HDCP 2.2 compatible. The rear HDMI inputs on either TX-NR585, TX-NR686, or TX-NR787 support HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) pass-through, as well as 4K video signal with full 4:4:4 chroma resolution and 12-bit color depth (if the signal is 24/25/30Hz), or 8-bit color depth (with 50/60Hz signals). The front HDMI input on the TX-NR686 and TX-NR787 can also support 4K@60Hz, albeit with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling and 8-bit color depth. It can also do 4K@24Hz with full chroma resolution but only 8-bit color depth (if 4:2:2 chroma subsampling is used, then the color bit rate can be 12-bit). The front HDMI input cannot be used for HDR video signal pass-through but it's compatible with the HDCP 2.2 standard. Audio Return Channel (ARC) is supported only on the Main HDMI Output on all three Onkyo receivers. Neither of them can be updated to support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), though, meaning it's not possible to bitstream object-based audio such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, or audio streams encoded with a lossless codec such as Dolby TrueHD from your TV to your receiver.
Another difference between the TX-NR585 and TX-NR686 on the one hand, and TX-NR787 on the other, is in terms of custom installation and integration with control systems for home automation. There are no connections on either the TX-NR585 or TX-NR686 dedicated for that purpose whereas the TX-NR787 has a RS-232C port, an IR input (for connecting an IR receiver), and 12V Trigger output (so that you can connect a device with a Trigger input to your receiver, and switch both devices on and off simultaneously). It should also be mentioned that only the TX-NR787 has a detachable power cord.
Check availability and pricing on Amazon.com for the TX-NR787, TX-NR686, TX-NR676, TX-NR585, and TX-NR575 (affiliate links; As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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