The TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810 are mainly differentiated by the number and the bandwidth of their HDMI inputs. All 6 HDMI inputs on the back of the TX-RZ820 support 4K signals (either 3840×2160 or 4096×2160 resolution) at 24/25/30Hz with up to 12-bit color depth and full 4:4:4 chroma resolution. With 4K feeds at 50/60Hz, however, you have to choose between full 4:4:4 chroma resolution with 8-bit color depth, or 4:2:0 chroma subsampling with up to 12-bit color depth. 4:2:2 12-bit is also possible. Although there are a total of 7 HDMI inputs on the back of the TX-RZ810, only the first three of them (HDMI Input 1 to Input 3) have the same bandwidth as the TX-RZ820's 6 rear HDMI inputs. Furthermore, while all 6 HDMI inputs on the back of the TX-RZ820 are HDCP 2.2 compliant, the TX-RZ810 supports HDCP 2.2 only on the first three (HDMI Input 1 to Input 3). The remaining four (HDMI Input 4 to Input 7) are compatible with HDCP 1.4 so they cannot be used for connecting an Ultra HD Blu-ray player, for example. HDMI Input 4 to Input 7 on the TX-RZ810 have the bandwidth to carry 4K signals at 24/25/30Hz with full 4:4:4 chroma resolution but only when the color depth is 8-bit. 4K at 50/60Hz transmission is only possible with 8-bit 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810 also have one HDMI input on the front but it has limited bandwidth (akin to HDMI Input 4 to Input 7 on the TX-RZ810).
Another difference between the two Onkyo receivers is the fact the TX-RZ820 supports HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG pass-through out of the box whereas the TX-RZ810 has the built-in capability to handle only HDR10 feeds. That being said, support for Dolby Vision pass-through is expected to be added to TX-RZ810 via a future firmware update but only on the HDMI Input 1 to Input 3, which is where you'd have to connect a Dolby Vision enabled Ultra HD Blu-ray disc player.
The TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810 both are 7.2 channel receivers. They have 7 power amplifiers, and support up to 2 powered subwoofers. It needs to be said, though, that the two subwoofer pre-out jacks output the same signal, meaning neither the TX-RZ820, nor the TX-RZ810 provides discrete subwoofer functionality. In terms of power amp section, there is no difference between the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810. The two receivers are rated at 130 Watts per channel (2 channel driven into 8 ohms, 20-20kHz, 0.08% THD). There are 11 speaker terminals on the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810. You can connect speakers with 4-16 ohms of impedance to the TX-RZ820. However, if you use speakers with 4 ohms of impedance, you'll have to change the "Speaker impedance" setting from the default of 6 ohms to 4 ohms. The same is possible with the North American variant of the TX-RZ810 but in other regions the TX-RZ810 supports only speakers with 6-16 ohms of impedance. It needs to be said that, in the event you connect speakers to both Zone 2A and 2B, it's recommended that both sets of speakers have 8-16 ohms of impedance (this is applicable to the North American models of the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810).
In terms of object audio formats, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are supported by both the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810. The two receivers are able to drive a Dolby Atmos speaker setup up to 5.1.2 thanks to their 7 power amp channels. However, it's not possible to further expand this setup via an external amplifier since the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810 lack any additional processing channels that are dedicated for that purpose. You can find 7.2 channel pre-outs and pre/line outs for Zone 2 and 3 on the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810. Therefore, an external power amp for stereo speakers in another room can be connected to either one of the two Onkyo receivers. In that case, however, only 5 pre-amp channels will be available for your main zone, meaning that, for example, the two height speakers in a 5.1.2 setup won't be powered on if stereo speakers in another room are active.
AccuEQ provides acoustic room equalization to the TX-RZ820 as well as TX-RZ810. The calibration process is identical for both receivers, and involves placing the supplied microphone at your listening position. Once you've connected the microphone to the setup mic jack on the front panel and selected your speaker layout, the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810 measure your speakers with test tones in two rounds. Based on the results, the distances, the volume level, and the crossover frequency for each speaker are automatically set. Furthermore, the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810 give you the option to choose whether or not to enable the EQ function that corrects distortion caused by sound waves of the same frequency colliding after being reflected from parallel surfaces such as walls in your listening environment.
Check availability and pricing on Amazon.com for the TX-RZ820 and TX-RZ810 (affiliate links; As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Excellent, informative, no nonsense breakdown of the differences and similarities between the two receivers. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteVery well done!
ReplyDeleteGreat article; thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, can you also compare the TX-RZ830 to these two ? The 830 seems to draw a little more power to compensate for the extra two amps, but my primary question would be if the Sound Quality improved over the 810/820 ?
ReplyDelete