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Onkyo TX-RZ30 vs TX-RZ50
Two RZ-series Dirac machines — which should you buy?
The short answer
Buy the Onkyo TX-RZ50 on the sheets — a higher matched-context power figure (120 vs a curated 100W at 8Ω/2ch), a stated THX Select badge, and eleven processing channels. The TX-RZ30's stated case is connectivity: two eARC ports and Chromecast built-in, which specific racks will value more than 1 dB.
Both wear the RZ badge and both center on Dirac Live. The spec sheets rate their amplifiers under different headline conditions — our curated data adds the matched-context line that makes them comparable.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED| Spec | Onkyo TX-RZ30 | Onkyo TX-RZ50 |
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| Price | $970 | $899 |
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| Brand | Onkyo | Onkyo |
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| Channel Config | 9.2 | 5.2.4 |
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| Main Channels | 9 | 9 |
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| Processing Channels | 11 | 11 |
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| Sub Pre Outs | 2 | 2 |
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| Zone 2 Capable | Yes | Yes |
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| Watts Per Channel 8ohm | 100 | 120 |
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| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | 170 | 250 |
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| THD Percent | 1 | 0.08 |
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| Power Measurement Channels Driven | two channels driven | two channels driven |
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| Impedance Range | 4 ohms to 16 ohms | 4–16 ohms |
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| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
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| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
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| Imax Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
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| HDMI Inputs | 6 | 7 |
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| HDMI Outputs | 2 | 2 |
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| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.1 |
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| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 40 | 40 |
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| HDMI Earc Port Count | 2 | 1 |
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| Max Passthrough Resolution | 8K 60 | 8K 60 |
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| HDR Support | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
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| VRR Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
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| ALLM Support | Yes | Yes |
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| Phono Input | 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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| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Amazon Music HD, Tidal Connect, Deezer, TuneIn | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Deezer, Pandora, TuneIn, Amazon Music HD, DTS Play-Fi |
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| Form Factor | full size | full size |
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| Width Inches | 17.1 | 17.1 |
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| Height Inches | 7 | 7.9 |
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| Depth Inches | 15.1 | 15.7 |
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| Weight Lbs | 25.4 | 30.9 |
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| Power Consumption W | 760 | 850 |
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| Zone 3 Capable | not stated | Yes |
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| Impedance Min Ohms | not stated | 4 |
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| Impedance Max Ohms | not stated | 16 |
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| Room Correction System | not stated | Dirac Live (full bandwidth) |
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| Measurement Mic Included | not stated | Yes |
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| Ip Control | 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
The RZ30's headline is 170W into 6Ω with one channel driven at 1% THD — the generous test; its curated 8Ω/two-channel figure is 100W. The RZ50 states 120W under that same 8Ω/2ch/0.08% context (plus its own 250W/6Ω line). Matched context to matched context: 100 vs 120, under 1 dB but a real edge to the RZ50, which also states THX Certified Select where the RZ30's THX tier is unspecified in our data. The RZ30's stated counterpunches: TWO eARC-capable HDMI ports (the RZ50 states one), stated full-bandwidth Dirac, and Chromecast built-in on its stated streaming stack.
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-RZ30 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Onkyo TX-RZ30 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 Onkyo TX-RZ50 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Onkyo TX-RZ50 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-RZ30 and Onkyo TX-RZ50 pass 4K/120 through?
The Onkyo TX-RZ30 states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120; the Onkyo TX-RZ50 states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Onkyo TX-RZ50 on the sheets — a higher matched-context power figure (120 vs a curated 100W at 8Ω/2ch), a stated THX Select badge, and eleven processing channels. The TX-RZ30's stated case is connectivity: two eARC ports and Chromecast built-in, which specific racks will value more than 1 dB.
Matched-context amplifier ratingOnkyo TX-RZ50 — 120W vs a curated 100W under the same 8Ω/2ch conditions — the honest line, not the 6Ω headlines.
Two eARC-dependent displaysOnkyo TX-RZ30 — The RZ30 states two eARC-capable ports; the RZ50 states one.
Dirac Live either wayEither — Both carry Dirac Live (the RZ30 stated full-bandwidth); the correction experience is the shared foundation.
What our normalized data adds
NOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS- Sticker vs matched context, inside one brand: the RZ30's headline 170W is 6Ω/1ch/1% THD; its curated 8Ω/2ch figure is 100W — against the RZ50's stated 120W under the same conditions.
- The RZ30 states TWO eARC-capable HDMI ports — unusual, and stated — vs one on the RZ50.
- THX badges differ in specificity: Certified Select stated on the RZ50; the RZ30's THX tier is unspecified in our data.
- Both state 9 amplified channels, Dirac Live, IMAX Enhanced, and 4–16Ω impedance ratings.
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