Onkyo TX-SR494 7.2-Channel A/V Receiver
2019 New Product Release
Escape the everyday with spatial surround-sound
From easy Bluetooth® wireless streaming to the heart-pounding thrills of Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® soundtracks, the TX-SR494 deepens enjoyment of daily life with great sound and smart features. Seven channels of high-current power give you freedom to choose a speaker layout that suits. Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer* or DTS Virtual:X® place sound overhead or behind if you don’t want height or surround speakers and both Dolby Surround® and DTS Neural:X® are on board. Rear surrounds, bi-amped front speakers, or Powered Zone B audio are also an option. AccuEQ with subwoofer EQ and AccuReflex™ for 5.2.2-ch Dolby Atmos-enabled systems clarify sound in any space. As the heart of your home theater, the TX-SR494 has HDMI® terminals supporting HDR and 4K/60p video, while the GUI with OSD over HDMI, Zone B pre-/line-out, and Vocal Enhancer function make this receiver a joy to use as well as hear. * Enabled with a future firmware update.
Product Highlights:
- 160 watts per channel
- Supports 4K/60p and HDR (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision®, BT.2020)
- 5.2.2-ch Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® playback
- Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer* and DTS Virtual:X®
- AccuEQ with subwoofer EQ and AccuReflex™
- Discrete high-current amp system with 4-ohm drive capability
- Bluetooth® technology and Advanced Music Optimizer™
- Vocal Enhancer function improves voice audibility
- OSD window shows media format data for quick confirmation
*Enabled with a future firmware update.
Key Features
Amplifier Features
- 160 W/Ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD, 1 channel driven), 80 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC)
- High-Output Low-Noise Power Transformer
- High-current 7-channel analog amplification system
- Discrete high-power output transistors
- Original low-impedance amp-circuit topology
Video & Audio Support
- Supports HDCP 2.2, 4K/60p, HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, BT.2020), 4:4:4 color-space, BT.2020, 3D Video, ARC (Audio Return Channel), DeepColor™, x.v.Color™, and LipSync via HDMI
- Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby® TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio™ decoding
- Supports SACD (Super Audio CD) Playback via HDMI (2.8 MHz/2ch, multi-channel)
- Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer and DTS Virtual:X 3D sound processing
- Dolby Surround® and DTS Neural:X® upmixing technologies
- Premium 384 kHz/32-bit AKM multichannel DAC
- Direct Mode for source-authentic stereo sound
Connection Features
- 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output with ARC (Audio Return Channel)
- 2 digital audio inputs (1 optical and 1 coaxial, assignable)
- 3 analog audio inputs (assignable)
- Zone B pre-/line-out
- 2 subwoofer pre-outs
- Speaker terminals (banana-plug x 2 [Front L/R], lever-type x 5)
- Rear USB power supply terminal (5 V/1 A) for media streaming devices
- 1/4˝ (6.35 mm) headphone output (front)
- 1/8˝ (3.5 mm) AccuEQ setup mic input (front)
Advanced Features
- AccuEQ Room Acoustic Calibration, Subwoofer EQ, and AccuReflex
- Zone B pre-/line-out shares any audio source to components with an RCA input, such as mini hi-fi systems, integrated amps, wireless headphone docks, etc.
- Height/Surround Back/Powered Zone B/Speaker Bi-Amp terminals
- DSP-controlled Vocal Enhancer function boosts dialog audibility via remote keys or front-panel controls
- Bluetooth wireless technology supports high-quality audio streaming from phones, tablets, and PCs
- Advanced Music Optimizer improves playback quality of compressed audio
- GUI with OSD via HDMI features media input/output information window for easy confirmation of playback settings
- 1080p Full HD to 4K Ultra HD upscaling over HDMI
- Quick Connection Guide on rear panel for stress-free setup
- A/V sync control (up to 500 ms in 5 ms steps at 48 kHz)
- Direct Power On function switches on receiver when an input key is pressed on the remote control or front panel
- HDMI passthrough function on standby
- Tone controls for Front L/R channels (bass/treble)
- 3-Mode front-panel display dimmer (Normal/Dim/Dimmer)
- AM/FM tuner with 40 random presets
- Sleep timer
- Simple remote control
Detailed Feature Explanations
Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® Sound
The TX-SR494 enhances Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® experiences with object-based audio mixed in 3D space. Sound tracks action, localizes effects, and moves around the listener. Dolby Surround® and DTS Neural:X® complement native 3D audio, upmixing legacy stereo or multichannel soundtracks to create immersive dimensionality.
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer
When playing any Dolby® format, this feature creates a virtual surround and height effect from traditional speaker layouts without requiring additional surround or height speakers. Note: Enabled with a future firmware update.
Spatial Sound Elevated with DTS Virtual:X®
DTS Virtual:X is a virtualization technology creating an immersive 3D soundfield from any speaker layout (2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1) without height or surround speakers. It uses DSP algorithms to place the listener in a multidimensional soundfield with height and surround spatiality, effective in various room sizes. It works with DTS:X soundtracks, DTS formats, and stereo.
Ready for 4K HDR Entertainment
The receiver supports 4K/60p and HDR video formats including HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision®, and BT.2020, along with the 4:4:4 color-space. All four HDMI® inputs and the ARC-ready output pass video from player to TV, enabling the latest film and game experiences. An OSD window allows easy confirmation of A/V input-output status.
More Power, More Realism, More Magic
While watts indicate loudness, amperes (electrical current) signify sound quality. Higher current control leads to better speaker response, faster transient response, wider dynamic range, and clearer sound. The TX-SR494's high-output transformer, large capacitors, and discrete amps provide superior current delivery for enhanced audio performance.
AccuEQ Room Acoustic Calibration with AccuReflex
AccuEQ calibrates the room for a harmonious soundfield by detecting speaker presence, size, and location to set sound-pressure levels, subwoofer crossover, and equalization for all speakers. AccuReflex optimizes object-based audio reproduction through Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers by resolving phase-shift, creating a 3D field with vertical movement and overhead dimensionality.
Hear Dialog Clearly at the Touch of a Button
The DSP-controlled Vocal Enhancer function identifies vocal frequencies and allows adjustment via remote keys or front-panel tone controls, improving dialog audibility in TV programs and movies.
Share the Atmosphere or Relax in Privacy
The Zone B pre-/line-out connects components with analog RCA inputs to receiver audio sources (HDMI, digital audio). This allows sharing sound to a hi-fi system in another room or connecting wireless headphones via a compatible transmitter dock, enabling private listening without disturbing others.
Powered Zone B Audio or Front-Channel Bi-Amping
The Height/Surround Back/Bi-Amp/Zone B speaker outputs can drive stereo speakers in another room with a 5.2-ch setup in the main room. Sources can be shared exclusively in Zone B or played simultaneously in Main and Zone B. Alternatively, compatible front speakers can be bi-amped.
Simple Steps to Sweet Sound
The TX-SR494 simplifies setup with clearly labeled ports for components and a single HDMI cable for TV connection. A diagram next to numbered speaker terminals guides speaker hookup, making setup quick and enjoyment limitless.
Smooth and Easy Bluetooth® Streaming
Stream audio from phones, tablets, or PCs via Bluetooth wireless technology. Once paired, the receiver automatically starts playback when a Bluetooth audio stream is detected.
Decompress with Advanced Music Optimizer™
This DSP listening mode reconstructs missing high-frequency data lost in compressed audio files (like MP3s), improving playback quality while maintaining convenient file sizes. It also optimizes Bluetooth streaming quality.
USB Power for Streaming Dongles
A rear USB port provides power for media streaming sticks plugged into an adjacent HDMI input, useful when power outlets are limited.
Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Section | |
| Power Output (Front L/R / Center / Surround L/R / Height L/R) | 160 W/Ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD, 1 channel driven) 80 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC) |
| THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise) | 0.08% (20 Hz–20 kHz, Half Power) |
| Input Sensitivity and Impedance | 200 mV rms/47 k-ohms (Line) |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz–100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct Mode) |
| Tone Control | ±10 dB, 20 Hz (Bass) ±10 dB, 20 kHz (Treble) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 109 dB (Line, IHF-A) |
| Speaker Impedance | 4 ohms–16 ohms |
| Tuner Section | |
| Tuning Frequency Range | FM: 87.5 MHz–107.9 MHz AM: 530 kHz–1,710 kHz |
| FM/AM Preset Memory | 40 Stations |
| General | |
| Power Supply | AC 120 V~, 60 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 490 W |
| Standby Power Consumption | 0.1 W |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 17 1/8" x 6 5/16" x 12 15/16" (435 x 160 x 328 mm) |
| Weight | 18.1 lbs. (8.2 kg) |
| CARTON | |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 20 11/16" x 9 7/16" x 15 15/16" (525 x 240 x 405 mm) |
| Weight | 23.1 lbs. (10.5 kg) |
| UPC CODE | 889951002871 |
Supplied Accessories
- Indoor FM antenna
- AM loop antenna
- Quick Start Guide
- Setup Mic for AccuEQ
- Remote controller
- AAA (R03) batteries x 2
