If you're building or upgrading a home theater system, choosing the right AV receiver is crucial. Today we're comparing two popular options: the Onkyo TX-NR6100 ($519) and the Sony STR-DH790 ($348). Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your setup.
AV receivers are the brain of your home theater system. They process audio and video signals, power your speakers, and connect all your devices. Think of them as traffic controllers for your entertainment setup - they make sure everything gets where it needs to go, in the highest quality possible.
The technology has evolved significantly in recent years. When the Sony STR-DH790 launched in 2018, 4K video was the gold standard. Now, with the 2021 release of the Onkyo TX-NR6100, we're seeing support for 8K video and advanced gaming features. This rapid evolution makes understanding the differences especially important.
Both receivers deliver impressive sound, but there are notable differences. The Onkyo offers THX certification (which means it meets strict quality standards for theater-like sound) and puts out 100 watts per channel. The Sony delivers 90 watts per channel - a difference you'll rarely notice in typical home use.
What you might notice is the Onkyo's superior room calibration system. Called AccuEQ, it uses a microphone to measure your room's acoustics and adjusts the sound accordingly. Sony's D.C.A.C. system does something similar but isn't quite as sophisticated.
This is where we see the biggest technological gap. The Onkyo supports 8K video at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz - important for next-gen gaming consoles and future-proofing. The Sony tops out at 4K/60Hz, which is still excellent for most current content but won't support the highest refresh rates from the latest gaming consoles.
The Onkyo shines with HDMI 2.1 ports supporting:
The Sony uses HDMI 2.0, which still handles 4K content beautifully but lacks these gaming-specific features.
Another significant difference: the Onkyo includes built-in Wi-Fi and supports:
The Sony is more basic, offering Bluetooth but no Wi-Fi streaming features.
For movie watching, both receivers excel. They support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, creating immersive surround sound with overhead effects (if you have height speakers installed). I've tested both in home theater setups, and for pure movie watching, the difference isn't dramatic - both deliver engaging, room-filling sound.
For gamers, especially those with PS5 or Xbox Series X consoles, the Onkyo is clearly superior. The HDMI 2.1 features make a noticeable difference in gaming performance. You'll see smoother motion and experience less input lag.
Both receivers handle music beautifully, but the Onkyo's network features make it more convenient. Being able to stream directly from services like Spotify without additional devices is a nice bonus.
The Sony STR-DH790 at $348 represents excellent value for basic home theater needs. If you're primarily watching movies and TV, and don't need gaming features or wireless streaming, it's a smart choice.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 at $519 costs more but offers significant future-proofing and additional features. The price difference ($171) might be worth it if you:
Consider these questions:
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 is the more capable receiver, with better features and future-proofing. It's the better choice if you can afford it and will use its advanced features. The Sony STR-DH790 remains an excellent value option, delivering great performance for movie and music playback at a lower price point.
For most users building a home theater in 2024, I'd recommend stretching the budget for the Onkyo if possible. The additional features and future-proofing will likely prove valuable over time. However, if gaming and streaming features aren't priorities, the Sony remains a solid choice that will serve well for years to come.
Remember, either receiver will deliver excellent home theater sound - the decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget constraints.
| Onkyo TX-NR6100 ($519) | Sony STR-DH790 ($348) |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines how loud and clear speakers can play | |
| 100W/channel (8 ohms) - slightly more headroom | 90W/channel (6 ohms) - plenty for most rooms |
| HDMI Version - Critical for latest gaming consoles and future devices | |
| HDMI 2.1 with 8K/60Hz support - future-proof | HDMI 2.0 with 4K/60Hz - good for current needs |
| Gaming Features - Important for PS5/Xbox Series X owners | |
| VRR, ALLM, QFT supported - excellent gaming | Basic HDMI - no advanced gaming features |
| Room Calibration - Impacts how well system sounds in your space | |
| AccuEQ with AccuReflex - more sophisticated | Basic D.C.A.C. - adequate for basic setups |
| Network Features - Affects how easily you can stream content | |
| Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in - comprehensive | Bluetooth only - limited wireless options |
| THX Certification - Guarantees high-quality audio standards | |
| Yes - ensures theater-quality sound | No - still good sound but not certified |
| Height Channel Support - Important for Dolby Atmos immersion | |
| 5.2.2 with dedicated processing | 5.2.2 basic support |
| Multi-room Capability - Useful for whole-home audio | |
| Zone 2 with dedicated DAC - flexible | Basic Zone 2 - limited features |
| Future-Proofing - Consider long-term value | |
| High - 8K, latest formats, upgradeable | Moderate - current formats only |
| Value Proposition - Consider your needs vs. cost | |
| Higher price, more features, longer lifespan | Better short-term value if advanced features aren't needed |
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 ($519) is better for dedicated home theater use due to its THX certification, superior room calibration, and support for the latest audio formats. However, the Sony STR-DH790 ($348) still provides excellent home theater performance at a lower price point.
The $171 price difference is worth it if you need future-proofing features like 8K support, advanced gaming capabilities, or built-in streaming. For basic home theater use, the Sony STR-DH790 offers better value.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 is significantly better for gaming due to HDMI 2.1 features like VRR, ALLM, and 4K/120Hz support. The Sony lacks these gaming-specific features.
Yes, both receivers support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X in a 5.2.2 configuration. However, the Onkyo TX-NR6100 has more advanced processing for height channels.
The Sony STR-DH790 is generally easier to set up due to its simpler interface and fewer features. The Onkyo offers more customization but requires more time to configure properly.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers comprehensive streaming with WiFi, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast built-in. The Sony only offers Bluetooth streaming.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 outputs 100W per channel, while the Sony STR-DH790 provides 90W per channel. Both provide enough power for most home theater setups.
While 8K content is limited, the Onkyo TX-NR6100's 8K support provides future-proofing. The Sony's 4K capability is sufficient for current content.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 features superior AccuEQ calibration with AccuReflex, while the Sony STR-DH790 uses basic D.C.A.C. calibration.
Both can power a second zone, but the Onkyo TX-NR6100 offers more advanced multi-room features with Zone 2 DAC and better connectivity options.
The Onkyo TX-NR6100 with HDMI 2.1 and 8K support will stay current longer. The Sony STR-DH790 may need updating sooner for advanced features.
For a basic setup without gaming needs, the Sony STR-DH790 offers excellent value. If budget allows, the Onkyo TX-NR6100 provides more features and future-proofing.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - crutchfield.com - homecinemachoice.com - camelcamelcamel.com - onkyo.com - audioadvice.com - assets.onkyo-av.com - intl.onkyo-av.com - audioadvice.com - audiosciencereview.com - onkyo.com - bestbuy.com - ynetnews.com - walts.com - sony.ca - walmart.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - abcwarehouse.com - crutchfield.com - sony.co.uk - sony.ie - youtube.com
