Onkyo TX-SR494 Review

Here is an Onkyo TX-SR494 review, which will make your choice easier. The Onkyo TX-SR494, like its big brother the HT-R693 and its little brother – TX-NR646 is the only model in the line of Onkyo receivers that can pass bitstream content from all available sources, including DVD players and TV boxes.

Not all models in this range have such top features. For example, these are decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats that bring us particular pleasure from our home cinema.

Build and design

The first thing that almost everyone will notice is the full aluminum front panel, which makes this receiver a high-end product. Onkyo has kept a clean and transparent design. The dimensions are: 17,1″ x 6,6 x 12,9 inches and its total weight is 18.1 lbs.

The front side of the Onkyo TX-SR494 receiver has a headphone jack, volume control buttons, input selection, and a power on/off button. In addition, the front display gives information about the source, volume level and shows different lights depending on the status of your surround sound system.

Onkyo TX-SR494 receiver has a back panel, which provides you with HDMI inputs and outputs, a set of component video connections, analog stereo audio outputs for your speakers, etc. It is a straightforward receiver that comes with a simple set of instructions. It can be connected to other devices easily and does not have many components to deal with. The remote control is also without complicated buttons or functions.

Features and specs

Let’s consider some Onkyo TX-SR494 specifications. The TX-SR494 is a 7.2-channel receiver with 80 W/Ch (8 Ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD) power when 2 Channels Driven. The frequency response of the receiver is 10Hz-100kHz with 3dB direct mode. Its key features include the bi-amp capability for the front, HCPS (High Current Power Supply), and a wide range of connectivity options. This product is perfect for those who want a great audio experience in their home theater setup.

The TX-SR494 offers 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output. This is great for homes with many devices. It is easy to switch between sources. It also has an optical digital audio input so that you can listen to movies and games in surround sound. Additionally, the TX-SR494 has a Zone B line output that can send audio to another room in the home. This receiver also has built-in Bluetooth, so you can easily stream music from your phone or tablet.

The Onkyo TX-SR494 video features provide a lot of opportunities for users. The receiver can handle four types of HDR and supports BT.2020, ensuring that you will always get the best video and audio they can. In addition, this model can upscale and transfer 1080p, and 4K (up to 60p/4:4:4) signals with no loss in quality. Dolby Vision technology also optimizes picture quality by dynamically adjusting colors, brightness, and contrast.

Sound

Onkyo TX-SR494 receiver can produce good sound quality without any distortions. It ensures you a unique experience when watching movies or playing games. This receiver can produce clear, detailed, and balanced sound output with its Multi Channels configuration. The receiver also provides deep bass. Besides, it has a good control knob to regulate bass and treble as per your desire. You can connect your portable devices like smartphones and tablets to it and enjoy your favorite music tracks. It has both Dolby and DTS decoding, making it great for hearing the difference between the two formats.

Verdict about Onkyo TX-SR494 receiver