Onkyo TX-SR444

Onkyo TX-SR444 was introduced in 2015. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 65 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos, passes 4K/60Hz video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 71 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluation section.

Here is a history of the series, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the receivers.

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Onkyo TX-SR494 vs TX-NR474 vs TX-SR444 vs TX-NR414.

In this section we present pros and cons of Onkyo TX-SR444.

In 2015 Onkyo released 7 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Onkyo TX-RZ900 vs TX-RZ800 vs TX-NR747 vs TX-NR646 vs TX-NR545 vs TX-SR444.

Onkyo TX-SR444's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
5.1.2 with internal amplifier.
• Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
5.1, 7.1 with internal amplifier.

Dolby Atmos

Onkyo TX-SR444 supports Dolby Atmos with Surround Upmixer.

• Surround Upmixer: If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DECODING
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Surround EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer

Onkyo TX-SR444 features 4 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

• 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4/YCbCr4:2:2, 24 bit) video signal.
• Analog To HDMI Upconversion: The a/v receiver supports video upconversion, so you can connect your analog Component and Composite video sources and Onkyo TX-SR444 will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
• HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Onkyo TX-SR444 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

VIDEO FEATURES
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
HDCP Version	2.2
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4/YCbCr4:2:2, 24 bit)
Video Signal Upscaling

Onkyo TX-SR444 comes with AccuEQ Advance room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

• AccuEQ: First, AccuEQ detects the presence of speakers and evaluates the impedance of each. Next, it pinpoints their distance relative to the main listening position using the mic and sets suitable sound-pressure levels. Then it selects the optimal crossover frequency so that deeper bass rolls smoothly off to the subwoofer. Finally, AccuEQ performs frequency response equalization based on room-acoustic and speaker data collected via microphone. The sound-field is now tailored around the listening position, resulting in a more immersive and realistic in-film experience.

Onkyo TX-SR444 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 2 different rooms.

Zone 2

• Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.

Audio

• Analog Line Inputs: There are 7 line inputs for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs: 2 optical inputs and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
• Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

Video

• HDMI:
Inputs: 4   Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 0
• Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
Inputs: 3   Outputs: 0
• Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. Onkyo TX-SR444 supports up to 480i/576i resolution on Component video connectors.
Inputs: 2   Outputs: 0

Front A/V Inputs

• Composite Video, RCA Audio

GENERAL
Brand	Onkyo
Model	TX-SR444
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	Europe, Australia and Asia
Release Year	2015

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.1
Power Output	65 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
Front Wide Channel Support
WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry)
Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Discrete Output Stage Circuitry
3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry
PUSH-PULL Design
Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor)
Bi-amp Capability
BTL (Bridged Transless or Bridging)

AUDIO FEATURES
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Advanced 32-bit DSP Chip
DAC	Burr-Brown
DAC Specs	192 kHz/24 Bit
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Surround EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction	PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for S/PDIF Audio
DTS Dialogue Control
Dialog Enhancement
Dialog Level Adjustment
Dialog normalization
Dialogue Lift
Tone Control	Front L/R Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	Advanced Music Optimizer (bluetooth included)
High-resolution Music Enhancer
THX Processing Mode
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Phase-Matching Bass Boost	for Deep Bass and Clear Mid-Range
Direct Mode
Pure Audio Mode
Pure Direct Analog Path Mode
Virtual Speakers	T-D (Theater-Dimensional)
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	AccuEQ Advance

VIDEO FEATURES
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
HDCP Version	2.2
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4/YCbCr4:2:2, 24 bit)
Video Signal Upscaling
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	480i/576i
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Works with Amazon Alexa
Chromecast Built-In
Works with SonoS
DTS Play-Fi
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod, iPhone via RI Dock
Remote App
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue

TERMINALS
HDMI Inputs	4
HDMI Outputs	1
8K Inputs
USB Input
USB DC Out Port	5 V, 1 A
Optical Inputs	2
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	1
RCA Line Inputs	7 (1 front)
RCA Line Outputs
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	0.1
XLR Pre-outs
Composite Video Inputs	3 (1 front)
Composite Video Outputs
S-Video Inputs
S-Video Outputs
Component Video Inputs	2
Component Video Outputs
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
PC In
Front A/V Inputs	Composite Video, RCA Audio
Speaker A/B	Zone B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")
Detachable Power Cord
uport

ZONES
Number of Zones	2
Powered Zones	2
Zone 2 Outs
Whole House Mode
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	0
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0

MISCELLANEOUS
On-Screen Display	Graphical Overlaid On-Screen Display (OSD) via HDMI with Quick Set-Up
ONKYO-RI System Control
RIHD (Remote Interactive Over HDMI)
Pre-Pro/Learning Remote	/
On Screen Remote Programming
Bi-directional Remote Setup via GUI
Smart Grid-Ready

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM with RDS
Presets	40
Digital Radio
Internet Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM

CONSTRUCTION
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	9
Large Speaker Terminals	2
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 220-240 V, 50/60 Hz
Independent Power Supply	2
H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply)	Massive High Power Transformer
Toroidal Transformer
Power Consumption	420 W
No Sound Power	55 W
Standby Power	0.3 W

PHYSICAL
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 160 mm x 328 mm 17-1/8" x 6-5/16" x 12-15/16"
Weight	8.0 kg (17.6 lbs)

SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	65 W (0.7% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)	115 W (0.9% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	120 W
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	100 W (1% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)	160 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	125 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	85 W
THD	0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power)
Damping Factor	40 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ (LINE, 1 kHz 100 W/8 Ω)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	100 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	10 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct mode)
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Ethernet Standard
Bluetooth Version	2․1 + EDR
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
AM Frequency	522/530 kHz - 1611/1710 kHz
Warranty	2 Years

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted