New Sony ES 8K AV Receiver Line STR-AZ7000ES STR-AZ5000ES STR-AZ3000ES STR-AZ1000ES

[BDE]

Dear all,

just discovered new Sony AVR´s:
-> https://www.sonypremiumhome.com/compare-products.php
-> https://www.sonypremiumhome.com/pdfs/230111-FY23-ES-Receiver-Specs_FNL_Launch-Event_1-30-23.pdf
-> https://www.sonypremiumhome.com/pdfs/Sony_FY23-CI-Brochure_ES Receivers_FNL_1-31-23.pdf

Picture from https://www.avsforum.com/threads/sony-is-back-with-its-all-new-es-8k-av-receiver-lineup.3266678/

Any idea and/or experience how the Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping is performing?

Best regards

 

[ban25]

AZ7000ES looks decent, but I've never heard of their room correction solution.

 

[techsamurai]

Sorry, I created a new thead as I missed this one

They seem heavy with all 3 top models over 40lbs along with a small size factor chassis which is quite impressive. The addition of spatial sound is interesting especially in view of the fact that Sony created the HT-A9 and has sort of set the standard in spatial audio. The ability to modify the center channel to include a Sony TV or add a 2nd center channel is also very interesting.

The power benchmark of the previous 5000 (sound and vision) was substantially better than the Cinema 50 with 5 channels and 7 channels and held over 100 watts which is 50% more powerful than the Cinema 50 and most likely Cinema 40 with 7 channels. Very few AVRs can hold those numbers nowadays and they usually cost twice as much.

Sony STR-ZA5000 ES A/V Receiver Review Test Bench

Test Bench Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads: 0.1% distortion at 139.3 watts 1% distortion at 175.3 watts Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads: 0.1% distortion at 103.6 watts 1% distortion at 135.1 watts Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads: 0.1%...

www.soundandvision.com

They also come with 5 years of warranty which imo are 2-3 times more valuable than 3 year warranties.

The big question is the room correction and whether it allows PEQ.

 

[techsamurai]

AZ7000ES looks decent, but I've never heard of their room correction solution.

I would say the 5000ES is even more interesting because of its value proposition. The predecessor benched 100+ watts in 5 and 7 channel which is something you'd expect from flagship AVRs.

It'd be interesting to see where the Sony 7000ES falls in comparison the Denon 8500HA considering it's 40% cheaper. The 8500HA may be fighting for its life and the Cinema 40 might be shot down before it even takes off

But you're right - room correction will play a huge part.

 

[GXAlan]

I had the ZA5000ES and it was exceptionally reliable. I moved it to my parents setup after their Sherwood Trinnov system died and I upgraded to Yamaha separates.

The Sony room correction is quite good if it replicates the HT-A9 effect. It seems like it has stereo mics measuring in two locations for quad option like Trinnov, and input for distance from your TV. The wireless surround option include upfiring Atmos rear speakers which are nice too.

I really like center lift. You do need center quality speakers though. That is why I stuck with Yamaha for my upgrade. If I knew about these, I may very well have gone with these.

 

[ban25]

Shane's video goes through the setup on the 7000. There's a Graphic Equalizer, but no PEQ. Room correction appears to be related to that from Sony's HT-A9.

It has some interesting center channel and wireless options, but I'm not sure how those work/sound in practice.

 

[GXAlan]

The real strength is that only Sony/Trinnov/Yamaha are able to localize speakers. If you have speakers anywhere other than the Dolby/ITU references, the other systems are blind.

Sony HDMI-CEC is usually flawless as well. Excited that we are seeing more flagship choices after more than 7 years! The last 11 Ch flagship STR-ZA5000ES was released in 2015.

 

[WestSideWarrior]

Shane's video goes through the setup on the 7000. There's a Graphic Equalizer, but no PEQ. Room correction appears to be related to that from Sony's HT-A9.

It has some interesting center channel and wireless options, but I'm not sure how those work/sound in practice.

Features and performance aside, Sony's probably got the best looking configuration user interface against other AVRs out there.

 

[ban25]

Features and performance aside, Sony's probably got the best looking configuration user interface against other AVRs out there.

Yeah it's very clean, and I like the icons for different inputs. I also like those Sony specific features like double center. If only they had a tier competitive with the AV10...

 

[WestSideWarrior]

Yeah it's very clean, and I like the icons for different inputs. I also like those Sony specific features like double center. If only they had a tier competitive with the AV10...

Yeah, Sony haven't produced AV separates for two decades now.
They used to have the flagship tier with the N77ES poweramp (with VU meters!) back in the late 1980s. The E9000ES prepro + N9000ES poweramp in the late 1990s, and the mega receiver DA9000ES in the early noughts.

I think the new AZ7000ES is essentially riding the same price tier against the Denon X6700H (both are $3,299), although the new Denon X4800H with additional external poweramp might be more competitive.

 

[192kbps]

SONY finally supports 360 Spatial Audio and provides the function of dual center speakers.

 

[wseroyer]

AZ7000ES looks decent, but I've never heard of their room correction solution.

It's Sony's own room correction system and its brand new to these receivers its based on there correction system for the HT-A9 4.0 wireless home theater system that got rave reviews, my guess is it will be good and super easy to use. Also I think these receivers are a great price for what they are giving you, the STR-AZ5000ES looks the most interesting to me, its $2,099.99 for 11.2 powered channels and 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, there's nothing on the market right now that will touch that.

 

[amirm]

So who is brave enough to buy one and send it to me for testing???

 

[GXAlan]

Whoever is going to send one to Amir, please consider getting the 5000 or 7000 series to send in. It may be that the volume IC is better on the top two models according to their marketing.

 

[techsamurai]

Crutchfield's listed them but the specs appear to have 10 watts less but they have nice pictures of the chassis, heatinks and I'm guessing it's the transformer.

 

[BDE]

[...]. Also I think these receivers are a great price for what they are giving you, the STR-AZ5000ES looks the most interesting to me, its $2,099.99 for 11.2 powered channels and 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, there's nothing on the market right now that will touch that.

I agree the AZ5000ES looks promising, however already a 3000ES would be sufficient for most setups if it had pre-outs! Unfortunatly the documents and the pictures of the backplate are not matching e.g. https://www.sonypremiumhome.com/pdfs/230111-FY23-ES-Receiver-Specs_FNL_Launch-Event_1-30-23.pdf (9.2 pre outs) but no one shown.. So I don`t know if the 3000 and 1000 have pre outs..

 

[techsamurai]

I agree the AZ5000ES looks promising, however already a 3000ES would be sufficient for most setups if it had pre-outs! Unfortunatly the documents and the pictures of the backplate are not matching e.g. https://www.sonypremiumhome.com/pdfs/230111-FY23-ES-Receiver-Specs_FNL_Launch-Event_1-30-23.pdf (9.2 pre outs) but no one shown.. So I don`t know if the 3000 and 1000 have pre outs..

But would you need pre-outs with a $1,700 AVR? Weight-wise, it seems to be listed as the same weight as the 5000 and if that's the case the pre-outs and the board could account for the difference.

This is probably going to be used as a 5.1-7.1 system I suspect - maybe it's a no-frills 5000ES. I'd love to see a comparison of the 3000 and 5000.

 

[NOAMattD]

Liking that the bulk of the features, especially room correction, seem to be consistent throughout the line. I don't need a ton of inputs, channels, preouts, or power for my smallish 5.1 room so if I could stay at the 3000ES or even the 1000ES tier my wallet will be happy.

 

[Chrispy]

So who is brave enough to buy one and send it to me for testing???

FWIW in the thread at Audioholics, Gene mentioned Sony has already contacted them to do bench testing on the flagship model....

 

[Mr. Widget]

So who is brave enough to buy one and send it to me for testing???

Hmmm... I'm sure they are decent units, but even if they set a new high for SINAD measurements I wouldn't go there because the manual EQ is so limited. Relying entirely on Sony's automated system is a deal breaker for me.