Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Onkyo TX-SR494

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

TX-NR696 vs TX-SR494 comparison chart

Onkyo TX-NR696 vs Onkyo TX-SR494 review

Onkyo TX-NR696
vs
Onkyo TX-SR494

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Onkyo TX-NR696 and Onkyo TX-SR494 takes place. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-NR696 received 7.6 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-SR494 was rated 5.5 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2019. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that TX-NR696 has better performance than TX-SR494.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR696 over Onkyo TX-SR494

  • 165/6 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 135/6 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-SR494 over Onkyo TX-NR696

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

TX-NR696
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. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the TX-NR696 this value is 165/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-SR494 it is 135/6 W/Ohm.

TX-NR696 TX-SR494
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm165/6135/6
Output impedance, Ohm66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.

TX-NR696
9
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.

TX-NR696 TX-SR494
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bitAKM 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAccuEQAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Onkyo TX-NR696 scored 8, and Onkyo TX-SR494 scored 5 out of 10.

TX-NR696
8
TX-SR494
5

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Onkyo TX-NR696.

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 TX-NR696 only.

TX-NR696 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.

TX-NR696 TX-SR494
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radiohas 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, Onkyo TX-NR696 got 7 points, but Onkyo TX-SR494 received 6 points.

TX-NR696
7
TX-SR494
6

Onkyo TX-NR696 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-SR494 has 4/1 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 TX-NR696 has a Phono interface.

TX-NR696 TX-SR494
HDMI input/output7/24/1
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 input00
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsHDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 TX-NR696 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 6 for the TX-SR494.

TX-NR696
8
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 Onkyo TX-NR696.

TX-NR696 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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-NR696 got 9 points, but the TX-SR494 has 6.

TX-NR696
9
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 TX-NR696 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

TX-NR696 TX-SR494
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBUSB
Other additional featureshas nothas 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.

TX-NR696 TX-SR494
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnecthas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
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.

TX-NR696
7
TX-SR494
7

TX-NR696 TX-SR494
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby 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-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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