TX-SR494
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RANKING
6
Rank 6 out of 54 Summarized in this category Rankings based on: • Pros-to-cons ratio • Number of reviews • Category average

Onkyo

TX-SR494

around $449

i
All prices are estimates and may vary from actual prices.

177 Pros

89%
23 reviews (3h 8m)

22 Cons

The Onkyo TX-SR494 is a budget-friendly AV receiver offering a surprising number of features for its price, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for immersive 3D sound. Experience the thrill of height virtualization, even without dedicated height speakers. Enjoy crystal-clear audio with 160 watts per channel, powering a robust 7.2 channel setu...

Summary of pros and cons from human reviewers, put together by AI

96%

47 vs 2

Features

82%

32 vs 7

Connectivity

94%

34 vs 2

Sound Quality

90%

28 vs 3

Ease of Use

100%

14 vs 0

Value for Money

Reviewer verdict

Across 23 YouTube reviews, the Onkyo TX-SR494 earns an Index score of 4.6/5, ranking #6 among AV Receivers. Reviewers most often praise its features, sound quality, connectivity, while the most common criticisms concern connectivity, design/aesthetics.

Reviewers praise the Onkyo TX-SR494 for its modern feature set, repeatedly noting Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support, 4K/HDR HDMI passthrough, and Height Virtualizer/DTS Virtual:X capabilities (mentioned across many reviews). Many also highlight its solid sound performance and immersive 3D audio, including good dialogue clarity and support for two subwoofers, with around a third of reviewers commenting on sound quality. Connectivity and practical I/O options (multiple HDMI inputs, ARC/eARC-related features, Bluetooth, Zone/bi-amp flexibility and a phono input) are commonly mentioned as useful, and the AccuEQ room calibration and easy setup/OSD are frequently cited for ease of use. A number of reviewers emphasize the unit’s value for money and power (160 W/channel cited) as making it an attractive budget-friendly AV receiver choice.

Criticisms are less frequent but consistent: several reviewers point out limited or missing networking features (no built-in Wi‑Fi/streaming or inadequate Bluetooth in some comments) and a lack of front-facing inputs. A few reviewers find the styling and physical design dated and bulky, and some note minor usability quirks with the user interface or remote labeling. A small number of comments call out basic build or connector choices (spring clips) and the absence of a few higher-end features expected on more expensive models.

Analysis based on 23 YouTube reviews (3h 8m of video) with 177 pros and 22 cons extracted.

Pros (177)

Features (47)
Sound Quality (34)
Connectivity (32)
Ease of Use (28)
Value for Money (14)
Power/Performance (12)
Build Quality (6)
Design/Aesthetics (2)
Remote Control (2)

Cons (22)

Connectivity (7)
Design/Aesthetics (3)
Ease of Use (3)
Sound Quality (2)
Features (2)
Build Quality (2)
Remote Control (2)
Power/Performance (1)

Review sources

Frequently asked questions

Is the Onkyo TX-SR494 worth buying?

Based on 23 independent YouTube reviews, the Onkyo TX-SR494 scores 4.6/5 with 177 positive and 22 negative points mentioned by reviewers, placing it #6 in the AV Receivers category.

What do reviewers like most about the Onkyo TX-SR494?

The most praised aspects are features, sound quality, connectivity — Features (47 mentions), Sound Quality (34 mentions), Connectivity (32 mentions).

What are the most common complaints about the Onkyo TX-SR494?

Reviewers most frequently criticize connectivity, design/aesthetics — Connectivity (7 mentions), Design/Aesthetics (3 mentions).

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Onkyo TX-SR494 - Pros Cons Index