Onkyo TX-NR6050 is a direct competitor of Yamaha TSR-700 and Denon AVR-S760H. It costs $50 to $100 more, but has an excellent GUI and basic features such as Bluetooth, turntable, CD player, Airplay, and 4k gaming. Setup is easy, but it is important to place the speakers correctly, perform room calibration, and sit at an appropriate distance. It is a reliable receiver when compared to other competitors at this price range.
Let’s take a look at how this great 7.2-channel receiver works and look at its features, capabilities, and how well it works. The main focus will be on figuring out who the intended recipient is and if this person is a good fit.
Comparison Table: Comparing Onkyo TX-NR6050 with its alternatives
Onkyo TX-NR6050 receiver review:
How does the Onkyo TX-NR6050 performs? We will break down the nits and bits so that you can easily understand.
Specifications at a glance:
- Frequency response: 10 Hz–100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB
- SNR: 106 dB
- Speaker impedance: 4–16 ohms
- Bi-directional sBluetooth
- DTS Play-Fi
- Chromecast built-in
- Dimension: 21˝ x 10 7/16˝ x 18 7/16˝
Design
Onkyo TX-NR6050 is a 2021 receiver model. It has solid build with plastic material on the front panel. You will find several buttons as well but control options are easier with the remote. You can connect speakers like Klipsch speakers, center speakers with Polk surrounds and sub or go for other brands as well. You can create a 5.2.2 Dolby Atmos setup.
Onkyo TX-NR6050 supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This 7.2 channel receiver will help you to create a large home theater.
Contnection
There are 6 HDMI in, where 3 inputs support HDMI 2.0b and others support HDMI 2.1. Speaking of HDMI 2.1 along with support for 4k 120Hz and 8k 60Hz, Onkyo NR6050 is one of the best receivers for gaming in PS5 or Xbox consoles.
Basic connections like phono in, sub out are available. AccuEQ performs well but it would have been better if it included multiple seating options. The receiver has an amplifier with Custom High-Current Low-Noise Power Transformer and has a 192 kHz/24-bit D/A conversion.
This is mainly due to several HDMI failure issues that Onkyo receiver models suffered previously. To ensure longevity of this receiver or any other models, make sure to use AC infinity fans like the AC Infinity AIRCOM T9 . In terms of performance, while we expected it to perform like a mid-priced receiver, we experienced it to perform better than that.
Performance
In our 5.2.2 theater setup, it delivered clear vocals, distinct and clear sound with excellent sound separation. Audio is well pronounced and overhead effects are impactful. as you set up Atmos and surround speakers, you will hear a 3D room filling sound. Movies or music, no matter the type of content you are playing, the receiver will shine. This is a best AV receiver for music making it ideal for music lovers.
Choose any one of the listening modes (Movie/TV, Music, Game) based on the type of content you are watching. Based on price vs performance, we can boldly confess that it is one of the best mid-priced Onkyo receivers. You can use the Stereo Assign Mode that will switch sound from Front to Height, Surround, or Rear speakers based on your system. If you compare this to Denon receiver 760H, the Onkyo performs slightly better.
While gaming you will find different sound optimization options like Rock, Sports, Action, and RPG. Streaming services like Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer, TuneIn, Pandora, etc are built-in into it. With ‘Discrete Zone 2 HDMI Switching’, you can play same or different contents in two different rooms. to control multiroom playback, you the Onkyo Controller app.
To tweak the sound, you can use treble and bass options. To improve compressed audio files, use Advanced Music Optimizer. In order to enhance dialogues, use the Vocal Enhancer. If you are building a 7.1 theater system, then the manual suggests you to place speakers as the image below. Simply connect the sub into sub out and others into their labelled ports like ‘Front’, ‘Center’, ‘Surround’, and ‘Height’.
Onkyo TX-NR6050 alternatives:
Onkyo TX-NR6050 is a direct competitor to the following receiver models, the cost is also similar.
Denon AVR-S760H
Comparing Onkyo TX-NR6050 vs Denon 760H, Onkyo is bigger in size. It sounds clearer and louder making movies enjoyable. In terms of room calibration software, Denon’s Audyssey is quite well-known to perform better and give accurate results. Denon 760H receiver’s HDMI output is limited to 1 instead of 2. Denon is quite popular due to HEOS multiroom feature.
This receiver can support up to two zones. Audyssey room calibration software will help to optimize sound base on room layout. In terms of audio playback, when connected to decent speakers, the receiver will shine. Major features like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Surround, DTS Neutral:X and others help it to do so. It is one of the best receivers for home theater. Both of the receiver is under $600 so it mainly comes down to your preference and their performance.
Onkyo TX-NR6100
If you compare Onkyo TX-NR6100 vs TX-NR6050, you will see they are very similar. You can say the TX-NR6050 is the budget-friendly version of TX-NR6100. There are minor differences like the Onkyo NR6050 isn’t THX certified and NR6100 has an output power of 100 W/Ch compared to the 90W/Ch of 6050 model. The NR6050 is similar to both NR6100 and NR5100 models .
Another difference between the TX-NR6100 and NR6050 is, the 6100 model is costlier. Both of them, works with next-gen gaming consoles. It supports zone 2 and other features like support for Bluetooth, Airplay are similar. At this price point you will get several models from other brands along with Onkyo, so users often tend to go for the low-cost receiver that has similar features.
Yamaha TSR-700
Comparing Onkyo TX-NR6050 vs Yamaha TSR-700, users often want to replace the TSR 700 with the Onkyo model and feels it is a keeper. If you are willing to pay as less as possible, then it is one of the best receivers under $500. It is a gaming-ready receiver, supports Bluetooth and Dolby Atmos. Sound quality is good making contents enjoyable.
This 7.2 channel receiver will allow you to create room filling sound with overhead speakers along with surround, rear and center channel. The MusicCast app will help in controlling multiroom audio system. The receiver can get quite loud. Installation and setup are easy.
Parting words
Onkyo NR6050 is a great receiver for home theater use, gaming, and audio quality. It has different modes and optimizers to enhance the sound, such as surround sound, dialogues, and overhead effects.
Make sure to choose the ‘right’ speakers and subwoofer to connect with this receiver. Comparing Onkyo NR6050 vs alternatives, the Yamaha TSR-700 is slightly overpriced. Denon 760H is a better choice if you can’t get the 6050 model or prefer Audyssey due to ‘odd’ room size. The NR6100 is similar to the NR6050 but the 6050 model will deliver smoother usage.
FAQ
This FAQ is here to solve some of the problems regarding these receiver.
Do I need a receiver for home theater?
Well, you can choose active speakers to create a home theater to avoid the use of receiver. So, a receiver is not a must have for home theater. However, to experience true and powerful cinematic sound, audiophiles prefer going for passive speakers along with a receiver.
How to choose a receiver?
Figure out the amount of power you will need for your system. You can look out of recommended amp power in the speaker’s spec sheet. Then, depending on the number of channels you want for your theater, look for a receiver.
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