A multi-channel device featuring digital audio stream decoders, tuner, and switcher for audio and video signals used in home theater systems is known as an AV receiver. In the absence of a tuner, the device is referred as an AV receiver. Audio and video formats can be converted.
And Sony’s corporation has been successful in this sector. The ES series is Japan’s oldest high-end series. Because of the outstanding quality that has garnered her international fame, it topped the company’s tale with a more extraordinary aura than the competitors.
For over 40 years, ES has been through it all: ups and downs, developing groundbreaking items, registering numerous patents, and profoundly transforming the market. In this study, we will show you the top Sony 5.1 receivers. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver reviews for more information below.
Our Top Pick: Sony STR-DN1080
Description: The Sony STR-DN1080 is a 5.1.2 or 7.2 device with 165 W per channel (6 ohms) and is Dolby Atmos and DTS: X compatible.
Features: We should mention that the receiver supports high-resolution formats including WAV, AIFF, FLAC, and ALAC, as well as native DSD playback over USB, HDMI, or DLNA.
It includes six HDCP 2.2 compatible HDMI inputs on the back and supports 4K / 60p 4: 4: 4 content playback (except Video1 input) and HDR extended video formats (HDR 10, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log-Gamma). There are also two HDMI outputs.
If you are looking for the 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receivers, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver you can find.
In comparison to the Sony STR-ZA1100ES, the STR-DN1080 offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, as well as an Ethernet connection for wired networking. Unfortunately, it lacks a turntable input. Other handy features we discovered included NFC, AirPlay, SpotifyConnect, and Chromecast.
During the test, the receiver demonstrated its worth. The power is best suited to small to medium-sized spaces. The most subtle nuances and profound layers of sound effects are discernible.
The overall clarity of soundtracks and conversations is improved by a clear delineation of low frequencies. The surround effects are good, and I was able to tell where the sounds were originating from. When compared to a genuine 7.2-channel configuration, rear phantom channels are less believable.
This Sony AV receiver is also excellent for music listening. Voices are smooth and articulate, with dynamic transitions. When the volume is raised, the sound is crisp and clear, and it does not appear bright or harsh according to this 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review.
Pros
- Works effectively with high-resolution music files
- Phantom Surround Back is an option
Cons
- The user interface is sluggish and badly displayed
Runner Up: Sony STR-ZA3100ES
Description: The Sony STR-ZA3100ES can enhance up to 9 (through an external amplifier) Plus 2 simulated channels at 110 W @ 8 Ohm real power.
Features: We can see the newest in surround sound formats, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS: X, in the 7.2 setups. And, owing to D.C.A.C. EX, such outstanding standards lend themselves to full automated calibration. This technology can analyze 31 frequency bands and alter the speaker response based on the spatial parameters of the room.
The visual capabilities of the receiver are excellent. The STR-ZA3100ES supports UHD/4K broadcasts with HDCP 2.2 protection, HDR color space, and BT.2020. If you are looking for the 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receivers, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver you can find.
What truly upset me, though, was the lack of wireless communication standards. There was no AirPlay, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi in this receiver. Ethernet is the sole way to connect to the internet. The Internet connection is then solely utilized to connect to the receiver through IP. This allows you to control and set up the device.
We ran the test knowing exactly how the receiver would sound. And we were not let down. When we were viewing a movie, we experienced an all-encompassing sound with accurate item placement on the sound stage according to this 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review.
The discourse in the picture was clear and seemed to originate exclusively from the center. The frequency response was well-balanced, and the bottom was sufficiently forceful.
Pros
- The speaker virtualization on the receiver is excellent.
- The audio is rich in-depth, and there are no issues with voice/dialogue detection.
Cons
- There is no AirPlay, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
Best for Budget: Sony STR-DH590
Description: With 145 W/6 Ohm per channel, the Sony STR-DH590 produces 5.2 excellent sound. And we believe we should state that using a 7.1 setup with this device is impossible, as 192 kHz/32-bit converters supply that amplification.
Features: In terms of connectivity, the Sony STR-DH590 provides everything an entry-level receiver need. Thus, 4 HDMI inputs may transport Ultra HD and 3D data without audio loss or colorimetric sampling according to this 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review.
The output is provided through the ARC output. All HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI 2.0 ports for sending all existing video streams to your TV. Supports 4K at 60 Hz with dynamic metadata from HDR10, HLG, or Dolby Vision.
If you are looking for the 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver, you should give this one a chance. This is probably one of the best 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver you can find. The sound quality throughout the test was superb, as expected from a Sony receiver, but only with the aid of S-Force Pro Front Surround technology.
We heard an engulfing sound with a perfect audio object location. The sound was as detailed as possible, with minimal degradation, due to Sony’s Dolby Pro Logic DSP and DSP technology.
Because of the large number of supported codecs, the receiver also performs well with Hi-Fi music. Excellent and powerful sound. And we were thrilled to see that music transmission through Bluetooth was available. There was no latency or interruption, and the sound was good.
The Sony STR-DH590 delivers the performance one would expect from the top affordable Sony receiver. We must mention, among other things, HDMI 2.0 compatibility and Bluetooth wireless connection. All of this in a small and unobtrusive receiver.
Pros
- An automated calibrating mechanism ensures superior sound reproduction.
- When playing over Bluetooth, there is no loss of quality.
- Dolby Atmos is supported.
Cons
- There is no Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
- It is not possible to establish a multiroom.
Buyer’s Guide for 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver
Watts, what about them? How much electricity do I require?
The power of the receiver is an important consideration when purchasing one, albeit several ideas must be addressed before we begin.
To begin, power always relates to the load – in this example, the electrical impedance, which is measured in ohms. Manufacturers sometimes promote the number of watts per channel of their amplifier without specifying the impedance to which that value corresponds.
A little snare to pad the figures, which might have unfavorable implications later at home if we connect a receiver to a speaker with a greater impedance according to this 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review.
When purchasing an A/V receiver, it is a good idea to look at its power consumption to determine whether it can handle the wattage consumption promised in the datasheet. Another point of contention is the number of watts per channel required to adequately sound a room, while 100 watts per channel appears to be adequate for most rooms.
How many channels will I require?
The number of channels supported by the A/V receiver might give you more or less surround sound. It is determined by the number of home theater speakers to which we will connect them.
In this regard, the most typical home theater speakers are 5.1 and 7.1. A 5.1 system consists of three front speakers, two surround speakers on either side of the viewer, and a subwoofer. The 7.1 surround speakers provide two more channels behind the viewer.
Most high-quality A/V receivers support 7.1 or 7.2 system capabilities, and all support 5.1. Some of the more costly A/V receivers can even support 9.1, 9.2, and 11.1 systems according to this 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review.
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and streaming services are built-in.
A wireless connection might be useful in a home theater. Using your mobile device, tablet, or computer as a source, an A/V receiver with Bluetooth technology allows you to play audio via your surround speakers. Bluetooth playback does not sound as excellent as a cable system, while some codecs, such as aptX, allow for exceptional quality within Bluetooth.
However, using Wi-Fi technology, you may connect an A/V receiver to your home internet without the use of an Ethernet wire. This allows you to use your home entertainment system to play music, TV shows, or movies from services like Spotify, Netflix, or YouTube. Wi-Fi streaming often sounds better than Bluetooth streaming.
Formats such as 4K, HDR, and surround sound
Although Full HD (1080p) resolution is fantastic, many televisions nowadays can recreate images in 4K resolution. This resolution offers excellent image clarity and color sharpness.
The audiovisual information accessible in this quality, however, is more restricted. Many TV and AV receiver manufacturers provide “upscaling” technology to make use of 4K capacity. Upscaling is an interpolation technique that upscales a lower resolution (1080p, for example) to 4K by using nearby pixels.
Although the quality of an “upscaled” image can never be the same as that of a native 4K, this technique produces amazing results. When selecting an A/V receiver, make sure it is compatible with the most widely used surround sound codecs.
DTS: X
DTS: X is the most straightforward codec to utilize with 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound systems. This codec does not require any special physical characteristics of the speakers. It is compatible with any typical home theater system, up to 11.2 systems according to this 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review.
Dolby Atmos technology
Dolby Atmos varies from DTS in that it necessitates the use of one, two, or more ceiling speakers. These speakers are placed higher than the other speakers in the room to cause the sound to travel up and down the room.
It classified Dolby Atmos systems as 5.1.2 (two more Atmos modules or speakers) or 7.1.4 (four additional Atmos modules or speakers) (four additional modules). There are other Dolby speakers with upward-pointing drivers that do not need to be installed on the ceiling.
What exactly is an automatic calibrating system?
The receiver has a customized processor with “hard-wired” software for setup automation. The system is simple to use: a measuring microphone is linked to the receiver according to this 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review.
The system produces a variety of noises with varying frequencies that cover the whole frequency spectrum. In the receiver, the result is processed and saved as a preset.
Sony's The D.C.A.C.
The automated system performs admirably with common settings. Sony’s D.C.A.C. Autocalibration System detects not only the number of speakers but also their characteristics and the distance between them.
It does, however, determine the quantity of background noise in the room. Sony’s technology calculates the number of connected speakers and attempts to compensate for missing ones by redistributing information among the existing ones. In the lack of a center channel speaker, for example, it will be produced digitally using the front speakers.
Conclusion: 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver [2022 Review]
We listed the best Sony 5.1. Receivers for you to enjoy. There is no wrong choice on our list, so you can go with your needs. We hope you liked our 3 Best Sony 5.1 Receiver review and it was helpful.