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Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver with 4K Ultra HD | Dolby Atmos | DTS: X | Hi-Res Audio (2019 Model)

TLDR Review: Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver

Item: Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver
Author: ShopSavvy

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: March 17th, 2025

Pros

•Great sound quality and good audio output levels for the price
•Excels in seamless integration with both modern and older components, like Smart TVs and cassette players
•Bluetooth capability enhances its functionality for wireless connections
•Features direct input change buttons for user convenience
•Compatible with a variety of speaker setups, such as hardwired Bose surround sound
•Excellent audio quality with optical cable connections
•Relatively easy to set up with HDMI ARC
•Provides noteworthy sound clarity, especially with vocal adjustment features for dialogue

Cons

•Reliability issues with reports of units failing shortly after purchase
•Uses cheaper sprinab connectors for some speaker outputs
•Lacks advanced EQ settings and customizable options for individual speakers
•Complicated firmware updating process, requiring USB formatting
•Basic ocreen display options limit customization
•No support for advanced gaming features like variable refresh rate or game mode
•Remote feel and functionality is subpar, being less responsive
•Experiences of random shutdowns and startup issues
•Updating system is outdated with no network or OTA update capability
•Users report the sound quality can have muffled vocals and missing high frequencies

Bottom Line

The Onkyo TX-SR494 AV Receiver offers a solid suite of features at its price point, delivering strong performance in sound quality and compatibility with various devices. However, it suffers from reliability concerns and lacks the advanced customizations and ease of use that more modern systems provide. If Bluetooth streaming and cutting-edge gaming features are essential to you, it might be worth exploring newer alternatives before purchasing.

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