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Onkyo TX-SR444 review
A modern AV receiver is perhaps one of the most sought after categories of home electronics. We've got one of these receivers for review - Onkyo TX-SR444. Based on the characteristics and features considered, the model received a score of 4.8 on a 10-point scale. The overall rating is too low, we would not recommend choosing this receiver. In 2015, this receiver was released. An amplifier with 7.1 channels is one of the main model’s feature.
Onkyo TX-SR444 Pros
- ✔Bluetooth is now one of the key wireless communication protocols. In AV receivers, it is used for audio signal transmission or remote control. And it is in the model under review that Bluetooth support is implemented.
- ✔The presence of a USB port allows the receiver to play content from external media.
- ✔Dolby Atmos technology has been included in this model specifically to create a 3D effect when watching movies, which reveals all its features with a minimum 5.1 configuration.
- ✔With 4K/60Hz pass-through support, it is possible to pass data through this model without degrading image quality.
- ✔ARC feature eliminates the need for an additional composite or optical cable when connecting this unit to a TV.
- ✔The manufacturer claims support for CEC in Onkyo TX-SR444 and therefore you can control any HDMI-connected device using one remote control.
- ✔This receiver supports the data encryption protocol HDCP 2.2 which allows licensed devices to play high definition audio and video.
- ✔The reviewed receiver has a Pure Direct mode, when used it feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.
- ✔This AV receiver is able to use 2 zones to send a source signal to speakers or a separate audio system in different locations.
- ✔With the included microphone, the Onkyo TX-SR444 can use the auto speaker calibration mechanism to create the most suitable soundstage.
Onkyo TX-SR444 Cons
- ✖The receiver has not a function of wireless connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
- ✖The TX-SR444 has not a phono (MM) input for connecting a phonographer or turntable.
- ✖Can not manage the DTS:X surround format.
- ✖Does not support for HDR.
- ✖HDMI eARC function not implemented.
- ✖AirPlay is not supported.
- ✖Onkyo TX-SR444 is unable to use Amazon Music.
- ✖Spotify music is not supported.
- ✖There is no voice control function.
- ✖Does not have an automatic power-off when idle.
- ✖Energy-saving ECO mode is not implemented.
- ✖Bi-amping is not available.
- ✖Has no speaker A/B switching function.
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Onkyo TX-SR444 back and front view
Onkyo TX-SR444 specs and features
Amplifier
| Channels | 7.1 |
| Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/6 |
| Output impedance, Ohm | 6 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz |
| THD in stereo, % | 0.08 |
Audio features
| Digital to analog converter (DAC) | TI Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit |
| Bi-amping | ✖ |
| Pure direct (straight) | ✔ |
| Auto speaker calibration | AccuEQ |
| Speaker A/B switching | ✖ |
| Other audio features | Theater-Dimensional, CinemaFILTER |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | ✖ |
| USB | 1 (USB 2.0) |
| Bluetooth | ✔ |
| Ethernet (RJ45) | ✖ |
| DLNA | ✖ |
| MHL | ✖ |
Streaming services
| Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ |
| Amazon Music | ✖ |
| Spotify | ✖ |
| Other streaming services | has not |
Extensive connection
| HDMI input/output | 4/1 |
| HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ |
| HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ |
| HDMI CEC | ✔ |
| Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 |
| Subwoofer output (LFE) | 1 |
| Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 |
| Optical digital input | 2 |
| Coaxial digital input | 1 |
| Composite input | 3 |
| Component input/output | 2/0 |
| Phono (MM) input | ✖ |
| Front panel connectors | phones, setup mic, AUX |
| Multi channel preamp output | ✖ |
Video features
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✖ |
| 4K signal pass-through | 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 |
| Analog to HDMI scaling | ✖ |
| HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ |
| Dolby Vision | ✖ |
| Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
Additional features
| Voice control | ✖ |
| App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Display | fluorescent |
| Tuner | AM, FM |
| Sleep timer | ✔ |
| Auto power off | ✖ |
| ECO mode | ✖ |
| Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ |
| Setup assistant | ✖ |
| Firmware update | USB |
| Other additional features | has not |
Multi-room
| Multi-room zones | 2 |
| Zone audio output | speaker |
| Zone HDMI output | ✖ |
| Multi-room control | has not |
| RS-232 | 0 |
| Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 |
| DC trigger output (12V) | 0 |
Multichannel surround
| Dolby Atmos | ✔ |
| Dolby TrueHD | ✔ |
| Dolby Surround | ✔ |
| Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus |
| DTS:X | ✖ |
| DTS HD Master | ✔ |
| DTS Virtual:X | ✖ |
| DTS Neural:X | ✖ |
| DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS |
| Auro-3D | ✖ |
| IMAX Enhanced | ✖ |
| Multichannel stereo | ✔ |
Audio file formats
| MP3 | ✔ |
| WMA | ✔ |
| AAC | ✔ |
| WAV | ✔ |
| FLAC | ✔ |
| ALAC | ✖ |
| Other audio file formats | has not |
Power
| Operational power consumption, W | 420 |
| Standby consumption, W | 0.3 |
| Removable power cord | ✖ |
Dimensions
| Size W x H x D, cm/inches | 53.7 x 26.5 x 41.6/ 20.8 x 10.2 x 16.1 |
| Weight, kg/lbs | 10.5/22 |
Other
| Release year | 2015 |