Onkyo TX-NR696

A surround sound stalwart

Onkyo home theater receivers have a long-standing track record of performance and value. The TX-NR696 combines a ton of fun features with state-of-the-art processing, all while retaining an attractive price tag. At 100 watts per channel, it's got enough power for just about any floor-standing or bookshelf speakers you want to use in your home theater system.

The TX-NR696 is packed with wireless music streaming options that make listening to your favorite tunes a breeze.

Immerse yourself in sound

This receiver can power up to seven speakers at the same time, giving you flexibility for different home theater and wired multi-room music configurations. Use all seven channels in a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos® or DTS:X™ system, or go with a more modest surround sound setup and repurpose the extra channels for music in another zone.

Plenty of wireless music choices

The TX-NR696 gives you all kinds of options for wireless listening, including the popular Apple® AirPlay® 2 and Chromecast built-in streaming platforms. There's built-in support for streaming Spotify® and Pandora® over your Wi-Fi network, and you can play tunes via Bluetooth.

Works with Sonos

If you're a Sonos lover, the 'NR696 easily integrates into your wireless multi-room music system. Just add a Sonos Port, and you can send any music or audio source from the Sonos app to the receiver. The 'NR696 will even automatically turn on and switch to the correct input when you fire it up in the Sonos app.

Product highlights:

Power and processing:

• 7-channel amplifier

• 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at .08% THD, with 2 channels driven

• Dolby® and DTS® surround sound decoding

  • Dolby Atmos® processing for use with in-ceiling or "height" speakers for more enveloping surround sound

  • DTS:X™ for an immersive, 3-dimensional soundstage

• THX® Certified Select™ theater reference sound

• AccuEQ Advance 9-point automatic speaker calibration optimizes your system's sound for your room (microphone included)

  • AccuReflex technology aligns phase of up-firing "height" speakers with the sound coming directly from your other speakers

Digital and streaming music options:

• built-in Wi-Fi for listening to music from a networked PC, free internet radio, and music services

  • includes support for Pandora®, Spotify®, TIDAL, Deezer, and TuneIn (subscription required for some services)

• Chromecast built-in for wireless music streaming from compatible devices

  • allows voice control through Google Home

• compatible with Sonos Port — receiver turns on automatically and sets the right input when selected in the app

• DTS Play-Fi lets you stream music and create a multi-room music system with other Play-Fi speakers and components

• built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from a compatible phone, tablet, or computer

• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone® or iPad® and ask Siri to play Apple Music

• plays high-resolution digital music files via USB storage device or a networked computer

  • PCM-based files up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution; DSD files up to 11.2 MHz

Multi-room audio:

• dual-room/dual-source output

  • powered stereo audio output for 2nd room

  • using powered 2nd-room output allows 5.2-channel home theater in main room

  • line-level 2nd-room output for use with a separate amplifier or powered speakers

Audio performance features:

• high-current amplifier design

• Music Optimizer function enhances the sound quality of compressed music files and Bluetooth streams

• bi-amp capability with compatible front speakers by reassigning surround back channels

• VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) minimizes noise across front left and right channels

Connections:

• HDMI audio/video switching: 7 in, 2 out (includes front-panel input)

  • HDCP 2.2 technology ensures compatibility with 4K Ultra HD sources and TVs (HDCP 2.3-compatible with free future firmware update)

  • HDR-compatible for extended picture contrast and brightness with compatible 4K TVs and HDR-encoded content

  • supports HDR10, Dolby Vision™, and HLG

• digital audio inputs: 1 optical and 1 coaxial

• 5 analog stereo audio inputs (including front-panel 3.5mm minijack)

• MM (moving magnet) phono input for connecting a turntable

• preamp outputs for 2 powered subwoofers

• rear-panel USB port for audio playback from USB storage devices

• Ethernet port for network connection

• outputs for 9 speakers (Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Surround Back L/R, Zone 2 L/R)

• receiver can power a maximum of seven channels at once

General features:

• free Onkyo remote app lets you use your Apple or Android™ device as a Wi-Fi remote

• 4K/60p and 3D video pass-through

• HDMI standby pass-through allows access to all HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver

• Phase-Matching Bass optimizes low frequencies while preserving midrange clarity with vocals and movie dialogue

• 40 AM/FM presets

• remote control

• dimensions: 17-3/16"W x 6-13/16"H x 15-9/16"D

• weight: 22 lbs.