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Onkyo announces two entry-level Atmos receivers at CES 2019

Onkyo has announced two sub-$500 receivers, the TX-SR494 and the TX-SR393, which offer the ability to playback Dolby Atmos audio.

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Ty Pendlebury Editor
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials
  • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
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Ty Pendlebury
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Onkyo

Onkyo has announced two new receivers at CES 2019 which offer Atmos-compatibility at a lower price: the 7.2-channel TX-SR494 and the 5.2-channel TX-SR393.

The receivers offer the ability to be converted to a Dolby Atmos 5.2.2 system (TX-SR494) or in 3.2.2 front-surround (TX-SR393). In addition, the receivers can use Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer or DTS Virtual:X to mimic height channels without needing to install extra speakers.

Specifications for both receivers include:

  • High-Current Low-Noise Power Transformer with 160 W/Ch (TX-SR494) or 155 W/Ch (TX-SR393)
  • Four HDMI inputs and one ARC-enabled output
  • Vocal Enhancer controllable via the remote controller or front-panel VOCAL buttons
  • Pass-through support for 4K/60p and HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, and BT.2020), 4:4:4 color sub-sampling
  • AccuEQ Room Acoustic Calibration with AccuReflex
  • Bluetooth  (no Wi-Fi streaming)

Onkyo's TX-NR585 is the CNET Editor's Choice for 2018 and so we look forward to hearing the TX-SR494 in particular. The lack of Chromecast or other Wi-Fi music, and the provision of only four HDMI ports, is a little disappointing.

The $480 TX-SR494 and the $350 TX-SR393 will be available in February.

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