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Onkyo TX-SR494 review
A potential consumer is met with multiple issues when deciding to buy a receiver. In this review of one of the devices, we will attempt to answer all of these questions - Onkyo TX-SR494. This model received a ranking of 5.5 out of 10 during our review. The public met this model in 2019. One of the key characteristics of the model is an amplifier with 7.2 channels.
Onkyo TX-SR494 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.
- ✔Onkyo TX-SR494 with an adaptive and flexible DTS:X surround format can support any speaker configuration, unlike Dolby Atmos.
- ✔With HDR10 pass-through support, it is possible to transfer data over the TX-SR494 with a much wider range of colors.
- ✔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-SR494 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.
- ✔Onkyo TX-SR494 uses bi-amping to amplify each dynamic in a speaker separately, resulting in clearer, better sound.
- ✔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-SR494 can use the auto speaker calibration mechanism to create the most suitable soundstage.
Onkyo TX-SR494 Cons
- ✖The receiver has not a function of wireless connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi.
- ✖The TX-SR494 has not a phono (MM) input for connecting a phonographer or turntable.
- ✖HDMI eARC function not implemented.
- ✖AirPlay is not supported.
- ✖Onkyo TX-SR494 is unable to use Amazon Music.
- ✖Spotify music is not supported.
- ✖There is no voice control function.
- ✖Energy-saving ECO mode is not implemented.
- ✖Has no speaker A/B switching function.
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Onkyo TX-SR494 back and front view
Onkyo TX-SR494 specs and features
Amplifier
| Channels | 7.2 |
| Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 135/6 |
| Output impedance, Ohm | 6 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz |
| THD in stereo, % | 0.08 |
Audio features
| Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AKM 384 KHz/32-bit |
| Bi-amping | ✔ |
| Pure direct (straight) | ✔ |
| Auto speaker calibration | AccuEQ |
| Speaker A/B switching | ✖ |
| Other audio features | Advanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio |
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) | 2 |
| Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 |
| Optical digital input | 1 |
| Coaxial digital input | 1 |
| Composite input | 0 |
| Component input/output | 0/0 |
| Phono (MM) input | ✖ |
| Front panel connectors | USB, phones |
| Multi channel preamp output | ✖ |
Video features
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 |
| 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 scaling | ✖ |
| HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ |
| Dolby Vision | ✖ |
| Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
Additional features
| Voice control | ✖ |
| App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
| 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) | 0/0 |
| DC trigger output (12V) | 0 |
Multichannel surround
| Dolby Atmos | ✔ |
| Dolby TrueHD | ✔ |
| Dolby Surround | ✔ |
| Dolby (other) | 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-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 | 490 |
| Standby consumption, W | 0.1 |
| Removable power cord | ✖ |
Dimensions
| Size W x H x D, cm/inches | 43.5 x 16.1 x 32.7/17 x 6.3 x 12.6 |
| Weight, kg/lbs | 8.2/18.1 |
Other
| Release year | 2019 |
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