Sony STR-ZA810ES vs Onkyo TX-SR494

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA810ES vs TX-SR494 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA810ES vs Onkyo TX-SR494 review

Sony STR-ZA810ES
vs
Onkyo TX-SR494

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Sony STR-ZA810ES and Onkyo TX-SR494 takes place. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA810ES received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-SR494 was rated 5.5 points. The release date of STR-ZA810ES is 2017, and TX-SR494 is 2019. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that STR-ZA810ES has better performance than TX-SR494.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA810ES over Onkyo TX-SR494

  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-SR494 over Sony STR-ZA810ES

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA810ES
7
TX-SR494
7

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.

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8135/6
Output impedance, Ohm86
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA810ES 7 out of 10, and the TX-SR494 - 9.

STR-ZA810ES
7
TX-SR494
9

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.

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
Digital to analog converter (DAC)384 KHz/32-bitAKM 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audioAdvanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA810ES scored 9, and Onkyo TX-SR494 scored 5 out of 10.

STR-ZA810ES
9
TX-SR494
5

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Sony STR-ZA810ES.

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 STR-ZA810ES 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 Sony STR-ZA810ES.

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

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

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas not

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, Sony STR-ZA810ES got 7 points, but Onkyo TX-SR494 received 6 points.

STR-ZA810ES
7
TX-SR494
6

Sony STR-ZA810ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-SR494 has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Sony STR-ZA810ES.

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
HDMI input/output6/24/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input11
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input20
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, phones
Multi channel preamp output

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 STR-ZA810ES were rated 9 out of 10 against the 6 for the TX-SR494.

STR-ZA810ES
9
TX-SR494
6

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 only with Sony STR-ZA810ES.

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA810ES got 8 points, but the TX-SR494 has 6.

STR-ZA810ES
8
TX-SR494
6

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 STR-ZA810ES can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBUSB
Other additional featuresNFChas not

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.

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMusic Centerhas not
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

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

STR-ZA810ES
7
TX-SR494
7

STR-ZA810ES TX-SR494
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HDDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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