Onkyo TX-NR818 vs Onkyo TX-NR828

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      Overview

      Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR818 to Onkyo TX-NR828 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 amplifiers with Onkyo TX-NR818's being more powerful.


      Onkyo TX-NR818 Onkyo TX-NR828

      Onkyo TX-NR818 was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 135 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 9.1 maximum channel processing. It , passes 1080/60p and upscales up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

      Onkyo TX-NR828 was introduced in 2013. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 130 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
      • 9.1 Channel Processing
      • 135 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • THX™Select™2 Plus Certified
      • 4K/30Hz Upscaling
      • Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 130 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • THX™Select™2 Plus Certified
      • 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-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828.

      PROS

      Onkyo TX-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      •   High Power Output - 135 W
      •   Front Wide Channel Support
      •   THX™ Certification
      •   9.1 Channel Processing
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   8 HDMI Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   3 Zones
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   High Power Output - 130 W
      •   Front Wide Channel Support
      •   THX™ Certification
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   8 HDMI Inputs
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   3 Zones
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Independent Power Supply

      CONS

      Onkyo TX-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      •   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 Digital Radio
      •   No Tidal
      •   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 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-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   2 HDMI Outputs

      Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR818

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR818 over Onkyo TX-NR828.

      Onkyo TX-NR818 vs Onkyo TX-NR828
      Higher Power Output 135 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) vs 130 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor) vs
      More Channel Processing 9.1 vs 7.1
      DTS Neo Neo:X vs Neo:6
      High Resolution Audio Formats via USB FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, DSD, WMA Lossless, LPCM, AAC, Dolby TrueHD vs FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC, LPCM
      Dialogue Lift Screen Centered Dialog vs
      More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System Audyssey MultEQ XT32 vs Audyssey MultEQ
      USB Input 1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear vs 1 (Front)
      More Optical Inputs 3 (1 front) vs 2
      More RCA Pre-Outs 9.2 vs 7.2
      PC In vs
      Front A/V Inputs HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio, Optical vs HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio
      +12V Trigger Output 2 (Zone2, Zone 3) vs 1 (Zone2)
      Remote (IR) Input/Output 1 / 1 vs 1 / 0
      Pre-Pro/Learning Remote / vs /
      Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 135 W (0.08% THD) vs 130 W (0.08% THD)
      Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA) 230 W vs 215 W
      Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) 110 dB vs 106 dB

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-NR818.

      Advantage of Onkyo TX-NR828

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Onkyo TX-NR828 over Onkyo TX-NR818.

      Onkyo TX-NR818 vs Onkyo TX-NR828
      PUSH-PULL Design vs
      Phase-Matching Bass Boost vs
      Video Signal Passthrough up to 1080p vs up to 4K/30p
      Wi-Fi via Front USB (optional UWF-1 sold separately) vs
      Bluetooth vs
      AirPlay vs AirPlay via optional Onkyo RI Dock DS-A5 (sold separately)
      Independent Power Supply vs 2
      Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 125 W (0.7% THD) vs 160 W (0.7% THD)

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-NR828.

      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-NR818 Onkyo TX-NR828
        High Power Output135 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)130 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
        Front Wide Channel Support
        THX™ Certification Select™2 Plus Select™2 Plus
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 Audyssey MultEQ
        New HDCP Version2.22.2
        Analog To HDMI Upconversion Component, Composite, PC Component**, Composite
        Many HDMI Inputs8 (1 front)8 (1 front)
        USB Input1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear1 (Front)
        Many RCA Line Inputs7 (1 front)7 (1 front)
        Phono Input
        RCA Pre-Outs9.27.2
        Composite Video Inputs5 (1 front)5 (1 front)
        Component Video Inputs22
        Ethernet
        Zones33
        Analog Tuner FM/AM FM/AM
        Pandora
        Spotify
      WEAKNESSES Onkyo TX-NR818 Onkyo TX-NR828
        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 Digital Radio
        No Tidal

      Audio Section

      Amplifier

      Onkyo TX-NR818 Onkyo TX-NR828

      7 channel Amplifier: Onkyo TX-NR818 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 135 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

      7 channel Amplifier: Onkyo TX-NR828 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 130 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-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 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.
      • 3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry: Onkyo TX-NR818 features 3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry. Standard amplifiers employ a negative feedback (NFB) design that counters distortion by feeding back the opposite phase of the output signal into the input stage. Unfortunately, NFB is easily affected by inverse electromotive forces from the speakers, leading to an increase in circuit noise. Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry is a core Onkyo technology incorporating a low-NFB design that makes the sound more natural. Sensitive to oscillations, this circuitry requires very advanced control technology in order to be incorporated into the amplifier.

      thxtradecertification Select™2 Plus certification

      Onkyo TX-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 are thxtradecertification Select™2 Plus certified. This means that they are ideally suited for a room where the screen-to-seat viewing distance is approximately 3 to 4 meters, and the room size is approximately 56 cubic meters.

      • THX™ Certification: THX™ Certification offers optimal performance, superior quality and seamless integration. THX works with partners from the ground up, so that certified products deliver professional quality audio-visual experiences right out of the box. They only certify the very best products with uncompromised quality, performance and consistency. They ensure that THX certified devices play well with lower performing devices and components. THX listening modes make the receiver to have one speaker set up for movies, music and games. They are tested for power output, bass management, signal-to-noise ratio and feature THX Loudness Plus, Boundary Gain Compensation, Timbre Matching and RE-EQ.
      • Power Output: Power output is tested to ensure the receiver accurately plays source material at THX Reference Level in every input and mode and at every sampling rate for all possible playback combinations selected by the listener.
      • Frequency Response: THX has strict requirements for frequency response to ensure that you hear all the details in high-resolution tracks, ensures dialog in movies, and vocals in music are clear while maintaining deep, impactful bass output that doesn’t overpower the listening experience.
      • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: THX tests the signal-to-noise ratio to ensure the unit is designed to have low noise performance with very little to no audible hiss from the speakers.
      • Bass Management: THX requires an 80Hz crossover point in the setup menu to ensure proper bass management in every THX Certified AVR. This setting confirms that the subwoofer handles low frequencies, freeing up the loudspeakers to handle mids and highs.
      • THX Loudness Plus™: THX Loudness Plus™ is a volume control technology featured in THX Certified Dominus, THX Certified Ultra and THX Certified Select AV Receivers, and preamplifiers that automatically adjusts the front-to-back speaker level relationship as you turn the volume down. With THX Loudness Plus, home theater audiences can now experience the rich details of surround sound at any volume level.
      • Boundary Gain Compensation: Sitting near a wall may result in increased acoustic levels at the lower frequencies. BGC corrects the way low frequency sound is perceived when seated near a wall. This results in a more accurate bass response.
      • Timbre Matching: Your ears hear different tonal qualities in sounds coming from different directions. Timbre Matching restores the frequency balance between your front and surround speakers ensuring seamless and smooth panning between the front to back of the room.
      • RE-EQ: Many movie soundtracks are mixed in studios for playback in large cinema auditoriums with an array of speakers. When played on home systems, they may appear abrasive and edgy. Re-EQ establishes a more accurate tonal balance when enjoying movies in your home.

      Speaker Configurations

      Onkyo TX-NR818's and Onkyo TX-NR828's amplifiers can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Configurations: Available configurations are:
      • Onkyo TX-NR818: 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier and 9.2 with addition of external 2 channel amplifier.
      • Onkyo TX-NR828: 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • Front Wide Channel support: With the presence of two front wide speakers you can enhance the front surround stage. The following speaker configurations are available for front wide channels:
      • Onkyo TX-NR818: 9.2.
      • Onkyo TX-NR828: 7.2.
      • 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.

      • Audyssey DSX

        Onkyo TX-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 support Audyssey DSX which allows you to augment a standard five-channel home theater with either two Front Wide or two Front High speakers. The Wide channels create an expansive soundstage and bring out convincing directional effects. Alternatively, Height channels can add a vertical dimension to movie and game soundtracks.


        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-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 feature Compressed Music Enhancer which enhances the quality of the music files with lossy compression.
        • Advanced Music Optimizer: Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 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-NR818 comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Onkyo TX-NR828 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-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 come with 8 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

      • 1080/60p Passthrough on Onkyo TX-NR818: All inputs pass up to 1080p video signal.
        4K/30Hz Passthrough on Onkyo TX-NR828: 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-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the receiver.
      • Analog Pre-Outs: Onkyo TX-NR818 has 9.2 and Onkyo TX-NR828 has 7.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the receivers to the external power amplifiers. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the receiver to power the rest. Also, Onkyo TX-NR818 has 9 channel processing but has only 7 channel amplifier, so it needs external amplifier connected to the analog pre-outs in order to reach its maximum speaker configuration.
      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 7 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs.
      • Digital Inputs: 3 optical inputs and 3 coaxial inputs are available on Onkyo TX-NR818 and 2 optical inputs and 3 coaxial inputs are available on Onkyo TX-NR828 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-NR818
        Inputs:
        8 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Onkyo TX-NR828
        Inputs:
        8 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Onkyo TX-NR818
        Inputs:
        5   Outputs: 1.
      • Onkyo TX-NR828
        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-NR818
        Inputs:
        2   Outputs: 1.
      • Onkyo TX-NR828
        Inputs:
        2   Outputs: 1.

      Front A/V Inputs

      • Onkyo TX-NR818: HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio, Optical
      • Onkyo TX-NR828: HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio

      Onkyo TX-NR818

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      Onkyo TX-NR828

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      Evaluations

      We evaluate Onkyo TX-NR818 and Onkyo TX-NR828 and give them scores of 80 and 83 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-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      OVERALL
      80
      OVERALL
      83

      Amplifier

      Onkyo TX-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      EXCELLENT
      92
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   High Power Output - 135 W
      •   THX™ Certification
      EXCELLENT
      93
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   High Power Output - 130 W
      •   THX™ Certification
      •   Independent Power Supply

      Audio Features

      Onkyo TX-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      GOOD
      79
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Front Wide Channel Support
      •   9.1 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
      78
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   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-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      AVERAGE
      58
      •   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-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      GOOD
      84
      •   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
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      EXCELLENT
      87
      •   No eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   8 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   USB Input
      •   Many RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Bluetooth 2․1 + EDR

      Zones

      Onkyo TX-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      EXCELLENT
      89
      •   3 Zones
      EXCELLENT
      89
      •   3 Zones

      Radio

      Onkyo TX-NR818

      Onkyo TX-NR828

      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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