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.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.
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 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8 | 135/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8 | 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA810ES 7 out of 10, and the 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-bit | AKM 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | DCAC EX | AccuEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Hi-Res audio | Advanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA810ES scored 9, and Onkyo TX-SR494 scored 5 out of 10.
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 | ✔ | ✖ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | ✖ |
DLNA | ✔ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
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 services | has not | has not |
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.
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/output | 6/2 | 4/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | USB, phones |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✖ |
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.
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) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/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 features | HLG | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA810ES got 8 points, but the TX-SR494 has 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 control | Google Assistant | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | fluorescent |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | USB |
Other additional features | NFC | has not |
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 zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | Music Center | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
STR-ZA810ES | TX-SR494 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic | Dolby 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-HD | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |