Onkyo TX-SR494 vs Yamaha RX-A870BL

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To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Onkyo TX-SR494 and Yamaha RX-A870BL review. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-SR494 received 5.5 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A870BL was rated 8.3 points. The release date of TX-SR494 is 2019, and RX-A870BL is 2017. This review shows us that the RX-A870BL is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the TX-SR494.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-SR494 over Yamaha RX-A870BL

Main advantages Yamaha RX-A870BL over Onkyo TX-SR494

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 7.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the TX-SR494 9 out of 10, and the RX-A870BL - 8.

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Onkyo TX-SR494 scored 5, and Yamaha RX-A870BL scored 8 out of 10.

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Yamaha RX-A870BL.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the RX-A870BL only.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Yamaha RX-A870BL.

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Onkyo TX-SR494 got 6 points, but Yamaha RX-A870BL received 9 points.

Onkyo TX-SR494 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A870BL has 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the RX-A870BL has a Phono interface.

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the TX-SR494 were rated 6 out of 10 against the 10 for the RX-A870BL.

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Yamaha RX-A870BL.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-SR494 got 6 points, but the RX-A870BL has 10.

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The RX-A870BL can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa. Yamaha RX-A870BL has the ECO mode.

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.