Sony STR-DH790 vs Onkyo TX-SR494 review

Votes 6 6
Rating 3.8 3.8

AV receivers comparison chart

Sony STR-DH790 vs Onkyo TX-SR494 review

Sony STR-DH790
vs
Onkyo TX-SR494

Sony STR-DH790 vs Onkyo TX-SR494 – that is a question.

Amplifier

AV receivers under review have the same number of channels. In terms of power, there are differences, the STR-DH790 has such a ratio W/Ohm - 90/6, while the TX-SR494 has a power of 135/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the STR-DH790 it is 0.09%, but for the TX-SR494 it is 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the STR-DH790 received the model 192 KHz/24-bit, but the TX-SR494 is equipped with AKM 384 KHz/32-bit. Each of the compared opponents supports Bi-amping. Both Sony STR-DH790 and Onkyo TX-SR494 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Wireless connection to the Internet via WIFI can not be performed on these receivers. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. Support for Apple Music Services not implemented. Spotify is not available for these receivers.

Video features

The HDR10 function is present in each of the rivals. The quality of 4K/60Hz signal remains unchanged when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector via HDMI for both receivers. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the STR-DH790 and the TX-SR494. None of the devices can increase the resolution of the incoming video signal. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the STR-DH790.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs is the same - 4/1.Sony STR-DH790 connectionsOnkyo TX-SR494 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the STR-DH790. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. STR-DH790 and TX-SR494 support the standard HDCP 2.2. Unlike most receivers, our models do not have a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. Voice control of the basic functions of the receiver is not realized in both models. There is an ECO mode in neither AV receiver. The Sony STR-DH790 and the Onkyo TX-SR494 can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available both models. A DTS:X surround technology is supported by devices from our comparison.

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General

Item

Sony STR-DH790
Onkyo TX-SR494

Model

STR-DH790
TX-SR494

Brand

Sony
Onkyo

Reviews

435
148

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

90/6
135/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.09
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/24-bit
AKM 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

DCAC
AccuEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Hi-Res audio
Advanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
has not

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
4/1

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
1

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

0
0

Component input/output

0/0
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

phones, setup mic
USB, phones

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10
HDR10

4K signal pass-through

4K/60Hz
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

HLG
DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

colour OSD
fluorescent

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

USB
USB

Other additional features

has not
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

has not
2

Zone audio output

has not
speaker

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

has not
has not

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
0

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
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-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
has not

Power

Operational power consumption, W

240
490

Standby consumption, W

0.3
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43 x 13.3 x 29.7/ 17 x 5.3 x 11.4
43.5 x 16.1 x 32.7/17 x 6.3 x 12.6

Weight, kg/lbs

7.4/15.4
8.2/18.1

Other

Release year

2018
2019
Sony STR-DH790
Onkyo TX-SR494
Sony STR-DH790
Onkyo TX-SR494

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 5.3
  • 5.5
  • 5.3Sony STR-DH790
  • 5.5Onkyo TX-SR494