Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® sound is here

The TX-SR494 supercharges your Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® experience. Object-based audio is mixed in 3D space and lets any sound play through any speaker, tracking the action, localizing effects, and moving around you. Dolby Surround® and DTS® Neural:X complement native 3D audio playback. These technologies find localization cues in legacy stereo or multichannel soundtracks and upmix these elements to create immersive top-to-bottom dimensionality.

Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer

When playing any Dolby® format, engaging Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer enables a more immersive listening experience, creating a virtual surround and height effect from traditional speaker layouts without employing additional surround or height speakers.
Note: Enabled with a future firmware update.

Spatial sound elevated with DTS Virtual:X™

DTS Virtual:X is a new surround-sound virtualization technology that creates an immersive 3D soundfield from any speaker layout, such as 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, and 7.1 configurations without height, surround, or rear surround speakers deployed. It uses sophisticated DSP-based algorithms to place the audience at the center of a multidimensional soundfield with height and surround spatiality, and is equally effective in large or small spaces. DTS Virtual:X works in the 3D domain with DTS:X soundtracks, DTS formats, and non-encoded stereo.

Ready for 4K HDR entertainment

Enjoy comprehensive support for 4K/60p and HDR (High Dynamic Range) video formats including HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision®, and BT.2020. The 4:4:4 color-space is also supported. All four HDMI® inputs and ARC-ready output pass video from player to your compatible TV, unlocking everything the latest films and games have to offer. You can easily confirm A/V input-output status via a new OSD window.

More power, more realism, more magic

It’s tempting to see watts as the most important figure on an amp’s spec sheet. However, watts are an indication of loudness, not sound quality. Amperes—electrical current—tell the real story. The more current an amplifier develops, the better it controls the speakers. Better control equals fast transient response, wide dynamic range, and clear, accurate sound. The high-output transformer, large capacitors, and discrete amps inside the TX-SR494 produce the most current in its class. And that’s one big reason why it sounds as good as it does.

AccuEQ Room Acoustic Calibration with AccuReflex™

AccuEQ Room Acoustic Calibration creates a harmonious soundfield in your room. It detects speaker presence, size, and distance from a measurement position, and sets appropriate sound-pressure levels. It then selects the ideal subwoofer crossover and applies equalization to all speakers. AccuReflex technology optimizes reproduction of object-based audio through Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers. It resolves phase-shift arising from path differences between directional and non-directional sounds. Along with improved localization, a 3D field with vertical movement and overhead dimensionality is produced.

Hear dialog clearly at the touch of a button

Finally, a fast and effective solution to inaudible dialog in TV programs and movies. The TX-SR494 features DSP-controlled Vocal Enhancer that identifies vocal frequencies and allows you to raise or lower them to taste using keys on the remote or via the tone controls on the receiver’s front panel.

Share the atmosphere or relax in privacy

A fantastic addition to the TX-SR494 is a Zone B pre-/line-out. It connects a component with an analog RCA line input to audio sources available to the receiver, including HDMI and digital audio. Share sound to a hi-fi in a nearby space, or connect a supported charging transmitter dock for wireless headphones and enjoy your entertainment without disturbing anybody.

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. The outputs can share any AVR source exclusively in Zone B, or play the same source in Main and Zone B. Alternatively, you can bi-amp your pair of compatible front speakers.