Onkyo TX-NR515 vs Onkyo TX-NR525

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525
      72
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      70
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      USA
      Taiwan Europe and Australia Others
      USA
      Taiwan Europe and Australia Asia Others
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR515 to Onkyo TX-NR525 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. The Onkyo TX-NR515 has 7 channel and the Onkyo TX-NR525 has 5 channel and equally powerful amplifiers.


      Onkyo TX-NR515 Onkyo TX-NR525

      Onkyo TX-NR515 was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 1080/60p and upscales up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

      Onkyo TX-NR525 was introduced in 2013. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 4K/30Hz video signal.

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • 4K/30Hz Upscaling
      • Ethernet

      Highlights

      • 5.2 Channels
      • 5.1 Channel Processing
      • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • 4K/30Hz Passthrough
      • Bluetooth, Ethernet

      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR515
      4. Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR525
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Audio Section
      7. Video Section
      8. Inputs and Outputs
      9. Evaluations
      10. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these receivers, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Onkyo TX-NR515 and Onkyo TX-NR525.

      PROS

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   8 HDMI Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Bluetooth
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify

      CONS

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      •   Low Power Output - 80 W
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   No Bluetooth
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Tidal
      •   Few Channels - 5.2
      •   Low Power Output - 80 W
      •   5.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Tidal


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   2 Zones
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 Zones

      Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR515
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR515 over Onkyo TX-NR525.

      Onkyo TX-NR515 vs Onkyo TX-NR525
      More Channels 7.2 vs 5.2
      Bi-amp capability vs
      More Channel Processing 7.1 vs 5.1
      Dolby Pro Logic PLIIz vs PLII
      Dolby Digital EX vs
      DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1 vs
      Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) vs
      Analog To HDMI Upconversion Component**, Composite vs
      MHL Input Front HDMI vs
      More HDMI Inputs 8 (1 front) vs 6
      More HDMI Outputs 2 (simultaneous) vs 1
      More Optical Inputs 2 vs 1
      Front A/V Inputs HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video vs L/R Audio, Composite, USB
      More Powered Zones 2 vs
      On-Screen Display Advanced "Home" GUI vs
      On Screen Remote Programming vs
      More Speaker Terminals 9 vs 5
      More Large Speaker Terminals 7 vs 5
      Bigger Power Supply 5 A vs 4.2 A
      Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 125 W (0.1% THD) vs 100 W (0.7% THD)
      Lower THD 0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power) vs 0.7% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Half power)

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-NR515.

      Yamaha RX-A2050
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      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Onkyo TX-NR616
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Onkyo TX-NR555
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Onkyo TX-SR313
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      5.1 channel

      65 W

      Onkyo TX-NR545
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      7.2 channel

      65 W

      Onkyo TX-NR535
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      5.2 channel

      65 W

      Onkyo TX-NR414
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      5.1 channel

      80 W

      Onkyo TX-NR595
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Pioneer VSX-LX503
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      9.2 channel

      120 W

      Onkyo TX-NR3010
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      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Onkyo TX-NR717
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      7.2 channel

      110 W

      Onkyo TX-NR5010
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      9.2 channel

      145 W

      Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR525

      Onkyo TX-NR525
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR525 over Onkyo TX-NR515.

      Onkyo TX-NR515 vs Onkyo TX-NR525
      Music Playback via USB FLAC, WAV, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, LPCM, AAC vs FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, DSD, AAC, LPCM, Dolby TruHD
      High Resolution Audio Formats via USB FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, LPCM, AAC vs FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC, LPCM
      DSD via USB vs 2-ch Input
      Phase-Matching Bass Boost vs
      More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System Audyssey 2EQ vs Audyssey MultEQ
      Video Signal Passthrough up to 1080p vs up to 4K/30p
      Bluetooth vs via Front USB (optional UBT-1 adapter sold separately)
      More RCA Line Inputs 5 vs 6 (1 front)
      More Component Video Inputs 1 vs 2
      Smart Grid-Ready vs

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-NR525.

      Onkyo TX-NR626
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      7.2 channel

      95 W

      Onkyo TX-NR555
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Sony STR-DH590
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      5.2 channel

      90 W

      Onkyo TX-RZ840
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      9.2 channel

      120 W

      Onkyo TX-NR595
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Onkyo TX-NR585
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Pioneer VSX-LX301
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Onkyo TX-NR5100
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Denon AVR-S750H
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      7.2 channel

      75 W

      Marantz NR1508
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      5.2 channel

      50 W

      Onkyo TX-SR343
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      5.1 channel

      65 W

      Onkyo TX-NR545
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      7.2 channel

      65 W

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Onkyo TX-NR515 Onkyo TX-NR525
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. Audyssey 2EQ Audyssey MultEQ
        New HDCP Version2.22.2
        USB Input1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear
        Composite Video Inputs5 (1 front)5 (1 front)
        Component Video Inputs12
        Ethernet
        Analog Tuner FM/AM FM/AM
        Pandora
        Spotify
      WEAKNESSES Onkyo TX-NR515 Onkyo TX-NR525
        Low Power Output80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
        No Dolby Atmos
        No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        No DTS:X
        No IMAX Enhanced
        No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        No HDR10
        No HDR10+
        No Dolby Vision
        No eARC
        No 8K Passthroughup to 1080pup to 4K/30p
        Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        Few 8K Inputs
        No Phono Input
        No RCA Pre-Outs0.20.2
        No Digital Radio
        No Tidal

      Audio Section

      Amplifier

      Onkyo TX-NR515 Onkyo TX-NR525

      7 channel Amplifier: Onkyo TX-NR515 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      5 channel Amplifier: Onkyo TX-NR525 features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).
      • WRAT (Wide Range Amp Technology): Onkyo TX-NR515 and Onkyo TX-NR525 feature Onkyo’s Wide Range Amp Technology (WRAT) circuit layout that prevents phase shifting by pushing the roll-off point higher than the listening-level frequency. Amplifying sound without phase shift creates an uncommonly well-focused and realistic audio image. If phase shift occurs and signal timing is not accurate, then neither is the resulting audio image.

      Speaker Configurations

      Onkyo TX-NR515's and Onkyo TX-NR525's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Configurations: Available configurations are:
      • Onkyo TX-NR515: 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • Onkyo TX-NR525: 5.2 with internal amplifier.
      • Bi-Amp: Onkyo TX-NR515 is able to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.

        • Sound Processing

        • Audyssey: Both receivers come with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume.
        • Dynamic EQ: selects the best possible frequency response and surround volume levels moment-by-moment. This ensures that the bass response, tonal balance and surround impression remain constant despite changes in volume. This is the first technology that carefully combines information from incoming source levels with actual output sound levels in the room, a pre-requisite for delivering a dynamic volume solution.
        • Dynamic Volume: Your Listening experience can be greatly diminished when there are significant shifts in volume between television programs, commercials and within the program material itself. When this happens you must constantly adjust the volume to maintain your desired listening level. Audyssey Dynamic Volume monitors the volume of program material moment-by-moment and automatically adjusts it, maintaining the desired listening level for all content while optimizing the dynamic range to preserve impact.
        • Compressed Music Enhancer: Onkyo TX-NR515 and Onkyo TX-NR525 feature Compressed Music Enhancer which enhances the quality of the music files with lossy compression.
        • Advanced Music Optimizer: Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR515 and Onkyo TX-NR525 is done by Onkyo’s Advanced Music Optimizer. While MP3 or AAC files may sound fine through the headphones of your portable digital player, the limitations of these files can be exposed when played back through a quality home entertainment system. This is because a significant amount of high-frequency bit information is lost during the file-compression process. To counter this, Onkyo has designed the Advanced Music Optimizer to compensate for lost bit information and improve the quality of compressed audio signals. This results in a clearer and more expansive sound. Also included in this technology is a loudness correction feature that further improves the audio character of compressed files.

        Room Calibration

        Onkyo TX-NR515 comes with Audyssey 2EQ and Onkyo TX-NR525 comes with Audyssey MultEQ room correction system.

        • Audyssey Room Calibration: Audyssey is an acoustic measurement technology which automatically restores the acoustic distortion caused by the acoustic behaviour of a room with only a push on a button. Audyssey equalization provides an clear, accurate, natural sound with voices and dialog that become focused and intelligible, restoring the musical balance. Musical instruments and sound effects become precisely localized and the surround soundstage is made seamless and enveloping.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Onkyo TX-NR515 comes with 8 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

      Onkyo TX-NR525 comes with 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

      • 1080/60p Passthrough on Onkyo TX-NR515: All inputs pass up to 1080p video signal.
        4K/30Hz Passthrough on Onkyo TX-NR525: All inputs pass up to 4K/30p video signal.
      • 4K Upscaling on Onkyo TX-NR515: It can upscale up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) from HDMI and analog sources.
      • Analog To HDMI Upconversion: Onkyo TX-NR515 supports analog to HDMI Upconversion, so you can input your analog video sources and output them digitally via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
      • HDCP 2.2.0 Copy Protection: Both receivers are HDCP 2.2.0 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
      • 3D Ready: Both receivers are able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 5 pair of line inputs on Onkyo TX-NR515 and 6 pair of line inputs on Onkyo TX-NR525 for connecting sources with analog outputs.
      • Digital Inputs: 2 optical inputs and 2 coaxial inputs are available on Onkyo TX-NR515 and 1 optical input and 2 coaxial inputs are available on Onkyo TX-NR525 for digital audio connections.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Onkyo TX-NR515
        Inputs:         8 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Onkyo TX-NR525
        Inputs:         6   Outputs: 1
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Onkyo TX-NR515
        Inputs:         5   Outputs: 1.
      • Onkyo TX-NR525
        Inputs:         5   Outputs: 1.
      • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one.
      • Onkyo TX-NR515 supports up to 1080p resolution on Component video connectors. resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Onkyo TX-NR515
        Inputs:         1   Outputs: 1.
      • Onkyo TX-NR525
        Inputs:         2   Outputs: 1.

      Front A/V Inputs

      • Onkyo TX-NR515: HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video
      • Onkyo TX-NR525: L/R Audio, Composite, USB

      Onkyo TX-NR515

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      Onkyo TX-NR525

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      Evaluations

      We evaluate Onkyo TX-NR515 and Onkyo TX-NR525 and give them scores of 72 and 70 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      OVERALL
      72
      OVERALL
      70

      Amplifier

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      GOOD
      75
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Low Power Output - 80 W
      GOOD
      73
      •   Few Channels - 5.2
      •   Low Power Output - 80 W

      Audio Features

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      GOOD
      70
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   DSD via HDMI
      GOOD
      70
      •   Few Channels - 5.2
      •   5.1 Channel Processing
      •   No Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   DSD via HDMI

      Video Features

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No 8K Passthrough

      Connectivity

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      GOOD
      76
      •   No eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   No Bluetooth
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   8 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   USB Input
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      GOOD
      75
      •   No eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   1 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   No Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet

      Zones

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      GOOD
      77
      •   2 Zones
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   2 Zones

      Radio

      Onkyo TX-NR515

      Onkyo TX-NR525

      EXCELLENT
      90
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   No Tidal
      EXCELLENT
      90
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   No Tidal


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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