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Sony ZA, DN & DH AV Receivers Comparison

volume control on the front of an AV receiver

Sony receivers include the STR-ZA, STR-DN & STR-DH series. Check out this guide to the Sony AV receiver product range & compare the important features of each.

Sony AV receivers provide a wide range of products to complete your surround sound system.

The entry-level models are a cost-effective way to get the basic features you need to connect all your AV equipment – while the flagship products provide higher-quality specifications if you need the best performance.

There are three main series of receivers in the Sony range:

  • STR-ZA Series: top-of-the-range receivers
  • STR-DN Series: mid-range receivers
  • STR-DH Series: entry-level range

This article lists the AV receivers released in the last few years, which should make it easier to choose the best one.

The receivers are grouped by year and price (high to low).

The MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, and retailers often sell below this price; however, it’s a good reference for the level of each receiver.

The features are from the US models, and you may find these vary slightly in different countries around the world.

If you need some help understanding what all the specifications mean, you can look at the AV receiver buying guide.


Quick Navigation


Sony ZA Series

The ZA-Series of Sony AV receivers are the top-end receivers in the Sony range. They are labeled by Sony as ‘Custom Installation.’ This means they have useful features for professional installations, such as extended networking and remote control options. However, even if you don’t need these, a ZA-Series receiver is perfectly suitable for home installs. They have high-end components and will have the best sound quality of all Sony receivers.

2017

Sony STR-ZA3100ES

MSRP: $1699

Sony STR-ZA3100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-ZA3100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA3100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-ZA3100ES – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA3100ES Manual
Sony STR-ZA3100ES AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos 5.2.2 (Support for 5.2.4 / 7.2.2)
HDMI In / Out 5+1/2 (ARC)
Zones Zone 2 (HDMI & audio) / Zone 3 (audio only)
Pre Out 9.2-Ch
Power (W)* 110
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Network / Wireless Ethernet (8-Port switch)
Auto Room Calibration DCAC EX / Speaker Relocation / Phantom Surround Back / Automatic Phase Matching
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 & Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, DSD, LPCM (Up to 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X
Dimensions (W x H x D) 16.93 x 6.85 x 16.14 in (430 x 174 x 410 mm)
Weight (lbs) 28.9
* 8 Ohms, 1 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 Channels Driven
2017

Sony STR-ZA2100ES

MSRP: $1399

Sony STR-ZA2100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-ZA2100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA2100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-ZA2100ES – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA2100ES Manual
Sony STR-ZA2100ES AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos 5.2.2 (Support for 5.2.4 / 7.2.2)
HDMI In / Out 5+1/2 (ARC)
Zones Zone 2 (HDMI & audio) / Zone 3 (audio only)
Pre Out Height (L/R Assignable) / Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 105
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Network / Wireless Ethernet
Auto Room Calibration DCAC EX / Speaker Relocation / Phantom Surround Back / Automatic Phase Matching
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 & Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, DSD, LPCM (Up to 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X
Dimensions (W x H x D) 16.93 x 6.85 x 16.14 in (430 x 174 x 410 mm)
Weight (lbs) 27.8
* 8 Ohms, 1 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 Channels Driven
2017

Sony STR-ZA1100ES

MSRP: $999

Sony STR-ZA1100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-ZA1100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA1100ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-ZA1100ES – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA1100ES Manual
Sony STR-ZA1100ES AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos 5.2.2
HDMI In / Out 5+1/2 (ARC)
Zones Zone 2 (HDMI & audio) / Zone 3 (audio only)
Pre Out Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 100
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Network / Wireless Ethernet
Auto Room Calibration DCAC EX / Speaker Relocation / Phantom Surround Back / Automatic Phase Matching
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 & Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, DSD, LPCM (Up to 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X
Dimensions (W x H x D) 16.93 x 6.85 x 16.14 in (430 x 174 x 410 mm)
Weight (lbs) 27.8
* 8 Ohms, 1 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 Channels Driven
2017

Sony STR-ZA810ES

MSRP: $799

Sony STR-ZA810ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-ZA810ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA810ES 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-ZA810ES – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-ZA810ES Manual
Sony STR-ZA810ES AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos 5.2.2
HDMI In / Out 6/2 (ARC)
Zones Zone 2 (HDMI & audio)
Pre Out Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 100
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Network / Wireless Ethernet / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / NFC / AirPlay / Spotify Connect
Auto Room Calibration DCAC EX / Speaker Relocation / Phantom Surround Back / Automatic Phase Matching
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 & Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, DSD, LPCM (Up to 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17 x 6-1/4 x 13-1/8 in | 430 x 156 x 331 mm (inc. projecting parts/controls)
Weight (lbs) 20
* 8 Ohms, 1 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 Channels Driven

Sony DN Series

The DN-Series of Sony AV receivers are the mid-range models. These receivers have more features and better engineering than the DH-Series, making them more expensive. These will provide the best balance between cost and quality among all the Sony receivers.

2017

Sony STR-DN1080

Features in the best AV receivers under $1000

MSRP: $599

Sony STR-DN1080 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-DN1080 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DN1080 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-DN1080 – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DN1080 Manual
Sony STR-DN1080 AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos 5.2.2
HDMI In / Out 6/2 (ARC)
Zones Zone 2 (video and 2-ch audio)
Pre Out Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 100
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Network / Wireless Ethernet / Wi-Fi / AirPlay / Bluetooth / Chromecast / NFC / Spotify Connect
Auto Room Calibration DCAC EX / Speaker Relocation / Phantom Surround Back / Automatic Phase Matching
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 / Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, DSD, LPCM (Up to 192/24 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17 x 6-1/4 x 13-1/8 in | 430 x 156 x 331 mm (inc. projecting parts/controls)
Weight (lbs) 20.1
* 6 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 Channels Driven
2016

Sony STR-DN1070

MSRP: $599

Sony STR-DN1070 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-DN1070 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DN1070 Manual
Sony STR-DN1070 AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos None
HDMI In / Out 5+1/2 (ARC)
Zones Zone 2 (2-ch audio) / Zone 3 (2-ch audio)
Pre Out Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 100
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10
Network / Wireless Ethernet / Wi-Fi / AirPlay / Bluetooth / Chromecast / NFC / Spotify Connect
Auto Room Calibration Advanced DCAC
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 / Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DSD (5.6 MHz/Up to 5.1ch), LPCM (Up to 192/24 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Pro Logic II / IIx
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17 x 6-7/8 x 13 in | 430 x 172 x 329.4 mm (inc. projecting parts/controls)
Weight (lbs) 23.15
* 6 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 Channels Driven

Sony DH Series

The DH-Series of Sony AV receivers is the budget model in the range; however, that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth considering. If you are on a budget, these receivers offer plenty of features.

2018

Sony STR-DH790

Features in the best AV receivers under $500

MSRP: $379

Sony STR-DH790 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-DH790 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DH790 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-DH790 – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DH790 Manual
Sony STR-DH790 AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos 5.2.2
HDMI In / Out 4/1 (ARC)
Zones None
Pre Out Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 145
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Network / Wireless Bluetooth
Auto Room Calibration Advanced DCAC / Automatic Phase Matching
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 / Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS:X, DTS Express, DSD, LPCM (Up to 192/24 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Surround, DTS Neural:X
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17 x 5-1/4 x 11-3/4 in | 430 x 133 x 297 mm (inc. projecting parts/controls)
Weight (lbs) 16.4
* 6 Ohms, 1 kHz, 0.09% THD, Per Channel
2018

Sony STR-DH590

MSRP: $279

Sony STR-DH590 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-DH590 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DH590 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-DH590 – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DH590 Manual
Sony STR-DH590 AV Receiver Features
Channels 5.2
Dolby Atmos None
HDMI In / Out 4/1 (ARC)
Zones None
Pre Out Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 145
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Network / Wireless Bluetooth
Auto Room Calibration DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration)
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS Express, DSD, LPCM (Up to 7.1)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Pro Logic II, HD Digital Cinema Sound (HD-D.C.S.)
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17 x 5-1/4 x 11-3/4 in | 430 x 133 x 297 mm (inc. projecting parts/controls)
Weight (lbs) 15.7
* 6 Ohms, 1 kHz, 0.09% THD, Per Channel
2016

Sony STR-DH770

MSRP: $349

Sony STR-DH770 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Sony STR-DH770 7.2-Ch AV Receiver
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DH770 7.2-Ch AV Receiver - Rear View
Sony STR-DH770 – Rear View
Image Credit: Sony
Sony STR-DH770 Manual
Sony STR-DH770 AV Receiver Features
Channels 7.2
Dolby Atmos None
HDMI In / Out 4/1 (ARC)
Zones None
Pre Out Subwoofer (x2)
Power (W)* 90
Speaker Impedance (Ohms) 6 – 16
UHD / HDR Support 4K/60p, HDCP 2.2 / HDR10
Network / Wireless Bluetooth / NFC
Auto Room Calibration DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration)
Selected Audio Decoders Dolby Digital, DD+, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 / Discrete6.1), DTS 96/24, DTS-HD HR Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio, DSD, LPCM (Up to 192/24 7.1ch)
Selected Sound Modes: Post Decoding Dolby Pro Logic II / IIx / IIz
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17 x 6-1/4 x 13 in | 430 x 156 x 329.4 mm (inc. projecting parts/controls)
Weight (lbs) 17.2
* 6 Ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 Channels Driven

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Sony AV Receivers: ZA, DN & DH Series Compared
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About The Author

Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. He has been a sound, lighting and audio-visual engineer for around 20 years. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again (and sometimes using) various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment. You can find out more here.

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