Onkyo TX-NR636 vs Onkyo TX-NR626

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      Overview

      Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR636 to Onkyo TX-NR626 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. Both receivers have 7 channel and equally powerful amplifiers.


      Onkyo TX-NR636 Onkyo TX-NR626

      Onkyo TX-NR636 was introduced in 2014. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 95 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

      Onkyo TX-NR626 was introduced in 2013. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 95 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 4K/30Hz and upscales up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 95 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • Dolby Atmos
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/30Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 95 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • 4K/30Hz Passthrough, 4K/30Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      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-NR636 and Onkyo TX-NR626.

      PROS

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   7 HDMI Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Independent Power Supply
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Independent Power Supply

      CONS

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   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
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Tidal
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR
      •   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
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Tidal
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR


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

      AVERAGE

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Power Output - 95 W
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   2 Zones
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Power Output - 95 W
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   2 Zones

      Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR636

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR636 over Onkyo TX-NR626.

      Onkyo TX-NR636 vs Onkyo TX-NR626
      Dolby Atmos vs
      Dolby Surround Upmixer vs
      Surround EX also known as Dolby Digital Surround EX vs
      Gapless Playback vs
      Video Signal Passthrough up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0) vs up to 4K/30p
      MHL Input Front HDMI vs
      More HDMI Inputs 7 (1 front) vs 6
      Front A/V Inputs HDMI/MHL, USB vs USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio
      Bigger Power Supply 630 W vs 600 W
      Higher DSD Sampling Rate via HDMI 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz vs 2.8 MHz

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-NR636.

      Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR626

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR626 over Onkyo TX-NR636.

      Onkyo TX-NR636 vs Onkyo TX-NR626
      Dolby Pro Logic vs PLIIz
      Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB up to 96 kHz vs up to 192 kHz
      High Resolution Audio Formats via USB FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC vs FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC, LPCM
      Audyssey Dynamic EQ vs
      Audyssey Dynamic Volume vs
      More Composite Video Inputs 3 vs 5 (1 front)

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-NR626.

      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-NR636 Onkyo TX-NR626
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. AccuEQ Audyssey MultEQ
        New HDCP Version2.22.2
        Analog To HDMI Upconversion Component**, Composite Component**, Composite
        Wi-Fi
        Bluetooth
        USB Input1 (Front)1 (Front)
        Many RCA Line Inputs66 (1 front)
        Phono Input
        Composite Video Inputs35 (1 front)
        Component Video Inputs11
        Ethernet
        Analog Tuner FM/AM with RDS FM/AM with RDS
        Pandora
        Spotify
        Independent Power Supply22
      WEAKNESSES Onkyo TX-NR636 Onkyo TX-NR626
        No Front Wide Channel Support
        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 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0)up to 4K/30p
        Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        Few 8K Inputs
        No RCA Pre-Outs0.20.2
        No Digital Radio
        No Tidal
        Old Bluetooth Version2․1 + EDR2․1 + EDR

      Audio Section

      Amplifier

      Onkyo TX-NR636 Onkyo TX-NR626

      7 channel Amplifier: Onkyo TX-NR636 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 95 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

      7 channel Amplifier: Onkyo TX-NR626 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 95 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

      • WRAT (Wide Range Amp Technology): Onkyo TX-NR636 and Onkyo TX-NR626 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-NR636's and Onkyo TX-NR626's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
      • Onkyo TX-NR636: 5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
      • Onkyo TX-NR626: Not supported.
      • Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
      • Onkyo TX-NR636: 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • Onkyo TX-NR626: 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Both models are 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.

      • Dolby Atmos

        Onkyo TX-NR636 supports Dolby Atmos. It is a cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

        • Dolby Surround Upmixer: Onkyo TX-NR636 supports Dolby Surround Upmixer. If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

        Sound Processing

        • Audyssey: Onkyo TX-NR626 comes 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-NR636 and Onkyo TX-NR626 feature Compressed Music Enhancer which enhances the quality of the music files with lossy compression.
        • Advanced Music Optimizer: Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR636 and Onkyo TX-NR626 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-NR636 comes with AccuEQ and Onkyo TX-NR626 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.
        • AccuEQ: First, AccuEQ detects the presence of speakers and evaluates the impedance of each. Next, it pinpoints their distance relative to the main listening position using the mic and sets suitable sound-pressure levels. Then it selects the optimal crossover frequency so that deeper bass rolls smoothly off to the subwoofer. Finally, AccuEQ performs frequency response equalization based on room-acoustic and speaker data collected via microphone. The sound-field is now tailored around the listening position, resulting in a more immersive and realistic in-film experience.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Onkyo TX-NR636 comes with 7 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

      Onkyo TX-NR626 comes with 6 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough on Onkyo TX-NR636: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0) video signal.
        4K/30Hz Passthrough on Onkyo TX-NR626: All inputs pass up to 4K/30p video signal.
      • 4K Upscaling: Both receivers can upscale up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) from HDMI and analog sources.
      • Analog To HDMI Upconversion: Both receivers support 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

      • Phono Input: There is an MM phono input on Onkyo TX-NR636 and Onkyo TX-NR626 with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the receiver.
      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 6 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs.
      • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 2 coaxial inputs are available for digital audio connections on both receivers.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Onkyo TX-NR636
        Inputs:
        7 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Onkyo TX-NR626
        Inputs:
        6   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Onkyo TX-NR636
        Inputs:
        3   Outputs: 1.
      • Onkyo TX-NR626
        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. Both receivers support up to 1080p resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Onkyo TX-NR636
        Inputs:
        1   Outputs: 1.
      • Onkyo TX-NR626
        Inputs:
        1   Outputs: 1.

      Front A/V Inputs

      • Onkyo TX-NR636: HDMI/MHL, USB
      • Onkyo TX-NR626: USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio

      Onkyo TX-NR636

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      Onkyo TX-NR626

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      Evaluations

      We evaluate Onkyo TX-NR636 and Onkyo TX-NR626 and give them scores of 81 and 78 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-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      OVERALL
      81
      OVERALL
      78

      Amplifier

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Power Output - 95 W
      •   Independent Power Supply
      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Power Output - 95 W
      •   Independent Power Supply

      Audio Features

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      GOOD
      81
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   DSD via HDMI
      GOOD
      73
      •   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

      Video Features

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      GOOD
      71
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   No HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No Dolby Vision
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion

      Connectivity

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      GOOD
      83
      •   No eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   7 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR
      GOOD
      82
      •   No eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR

      Zones

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      GOOD
      77
      •   2 Zones
      GOOD
      77
      •   2 Zones

      Radio

      Onkyo TX-NR636

      Onkyo TX-NR626

      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   No Tidal
      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   No Tidal


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

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