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Onkyo TX-NR5100 vs Yamaha RX-V6A
Entry Atmos, honest ratings — which should you buy?
The short answer
Buy the Yamaha RX-V6A for the amplifier — 100W at 0.06% THD beats 80W at 0.08% on both axes with the same 8Ω/2ch context. Buy the Onkyo TX-NR5100 if your speakers dip to 4Ω outside the front pair (its stated 4–16Ω rating is blanket) or if Sonos integration is stated-in rather than hoped-for.
Two entry receivers that both rate their amplifiers the conservative way, which makes this one of the few budget comparisons you can read straight off the sheets.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED| Spec | Onkyo TX-NR5100 | Yamaha RX-V6A |
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| Price | $700 | $646 |
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| Brand | Onkyo | Yamaha |
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| Channel Config | 7.2 | 7.2 |
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| Main Channels | 7 | 7 |
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| Processing Channels | 7 | 7 |
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| Sub Pre Outs | 2 | 2 |
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| Watts Per Channel 8ohm | 80 | 100 |
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| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | 165 | not stated |
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| THD Percent | 0.08 | 0.06 |
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| Power Measurement Channels Driven | two channels driven | two channels driven |
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| Impedance Range | 4–16 ohms | Front: 4 Ω or more; Other: 6 Ω or more (default 8 Ω) |
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| Impedance Min Ohms | 4 | 4 |
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| Impedance Max Ohms | 16 | 8 |
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| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
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| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
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| Room Correction System | AccuEQ | YPAO |
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| Measurement Mic Included | Yes | not stated |
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| HDMI Inputs | 4 | 7 |
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| HDMI Outputs | 2 | 1 |
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| HDMI Version | 2.1 | not stated |
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| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 24 | 24 |
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| HDMI Earc Port Count | 1 | 1 |
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| Max Passthrough Resolution | 8K 60 | 8K 60 |
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| HDR Support | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG |
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| VRR Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
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| ALLM Support | Yes | Yes |
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| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
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| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
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| Airplay2 | Yes | Yes |
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| Ip Control | Yes | not stated |
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| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Amazon Music HD, Pandora, Tidal Connect, Deezer, TuneIn, DTS Play-Fi | not stated |
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| Form Factor | full size | not stated |
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| Width Inches | 17.1 | 17.1 |
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| Height Inches | 6.3 | 6.8 |
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| Depth Inches | 12.9 | 14.9 |
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| Weight Lbs | 18.5 | 21.6 |
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| Power Consumption W | 490 | not stated |
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| Zone 2 Capable | not stated | Yes |
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| Phono Input | not stated | Yes |
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| Musiccast | not stated | Yes |
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| Trigger Outputs Count | not stated | 1 |
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Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
Both figures are 8Ω, two channels driven: 80W at 0.08% THD (Onkyo, curated) vs 100W at 0.06% (Yamaha). The Yamaha's rating is higher AND measured stricter — a clean ~1 dB win with no context asterisk. Both are 7-channel Atmos designs with two sub pre-outs and seven curated processing channels. The Onkyo's counterpunch is disclosure: a stated blanket 4–16Ω impedance rating (the Yamaha allows 4Ω only on the fronts per curated data), stated Works-with-Sonos and Roon Tested certifications, and DTS Play-Fi in its stated streaming list. Both carry a curated 24 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — neither is the full-fat HDMI 2.1 pick.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Onkyo TX-NR5100 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Onkyo TX-NR5100 states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Can the Yamaha RX-V6A drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Yamaha RX-V6A states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
Check either one against your own build →Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
Can the Onkyo TX-NR5100 and Yamaha RX-V6A pass 4K/120 through?
The Onkyo TX-NR5100 states 24 Gbps HDMI bandwidth, below the ~40 Gbps full 4K/120 needs; the Yamaha RX-V6A states 24 Gbps HDMI bandwidth, below the ~40 Gbps full 4K/120 needs.
The verdict
Buy the Yamaha RX-V6A for the amplifier — 100W at 0.06% THD beats 80W at 0.08% on both axes with the same 8Ω/2ch context. Buy the Onkyo TX-NR5100 if your speakers dip to 4Ω outside the front pair (its stated 4–16Ω rating is blanket) or if Sonos integration is stated-in rather than hoped-for.
Rated power, honestly comparedYamaha RX-V6A — 100W/0.06% vs 80W/0.08%, same context — higher under the harder test, ~1 dB.
4Ω surrounds or an existing Sonos houseOnkyo TX-NR5100 — Blanket 4–16Ω stated rating plus stated Works-with-Sonos certification.
4K/120 gamingEither — Both carry a curated 24 Gbps HDMI ceiling — neither passes full 40 Gbps; buy up a tier if that's the job.
What our normalized data adds
NOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS- A rare both-sides-honest budget comparison: 80W/0.08% (curated) vs 100W/0.06%, both at 8Ω with two channels driven — the Yamaha wins on value and test severity at once.
- Impedance disclosure differs in structure: Onkyo states a blanket 4–16Ω range; Yamaha's curated rating restricts 4Ω to the front channels.
- Both carry a curated 24 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — the entry tier's shared ceiling, stated rather than assumed.
- The Onkyo states Works-with-Sonos and Roon Tested certifications and DTS Play-Fi streaming; none of the three appears on the Yamaha's sheet in our data.
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