Sony released 4 new AV receivers: The Elevated Standard or ES Series
Display screens (TV, projector, LED Wall) and speakers (and subwoofers) may get all the attention when it comes to home theater systems and it’s understandable why; visually, they’re bigger, easier to spot and take up more space. But they don’t amount to much without the brainpower of your moviegoing experience – AV receivers, especially Sony’s Elevated Standard (ES) series. These are four new models built for custom installation, one of which is its first 13.2-channel AV receiver. They are way above the standard 5.1 configuration as well as most brands. And they don’t take up much space in your rack either.
It’s been 5 years since Sony came into the picture to help people understand what AV receivers are capable of. For the uninitiated, AV receivers take audio and video signals from various sources and route them to their respective outputs. An AV receiver is able to decode both analog and digital surround-sound formats, not like traditional stereo amplifiers.
What you get are surround-sound technologies that can thrill you like you’re in a movie theater, but you’ll need to have them custom installed for the best experience.
Why do you need someone to install it? Custom installation is required for specific challenges in a home theater or private cinema. This includes your primary goal – home theater setup, and your secondary goal – connecting it with your other smart home subsystems.
These include smart lighting, motorized window treatments, surveillance cameras and more. You need to have all of them integrated with your smart home system, if not now then in a few months once you see the value of automation.
Optimized for control systems
If you want your other smart home systems integrated with it, the ES receiver line is optimized for connectivity and configurability with support for the leading control and remote monitoring systems, including Control4, Savant, and Crestron.
This is how you can manage an entire household of smart subsystems, including its audio-video distribution system. ES receivers also require configuration for its OvrC remote accessibility, where support – remote troubleshooting can be extended to customers experiencing issues.
The ES receiver line clearly raises the bar for engineering, design, and build quality, which makes us wonder if this is why it took Sony more than 5 years to make this update. But you can trust Sony to have a solid reason for doing so – their penchant for precision. From the inside out, every electronic component, screw placement, chassis element, and choice in materials has been considered for its ability to optimize performance.
Sony's exclusive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
8K & 4K/120 + 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
The new Sony AV receivers stand out for their 8K and 4K/120 support. Equipped with the latest technology, including multiple HDMI inputs and outputs supporting 8K1 and 4K/1202 video sources, Sony ES receivers enable viewers to enjoy stunning picture quality and clarity.
That movie heater or concert hall feel can be attributed to Sony’s exclusive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology which allows you to experience the best possible surround sound no matter where you’re seated. It helps that it carries Dolby Atmos which provides truly immersive sound as if a speaker was directly above your head.
Connectivity, even wirelessly with Sonos
Something new that its competitors don’t have, the ES receivers integrate seamlessly into any new or existing Sonos Home Sound System. With a simple setup, the SONOS app can power on the receiver, designate an input source, and control the volume.
Once set up, you’ll be able to turn on the ES receiver, choose your designated input for playback and also control the volume all while using the Sonos app now
From its old receiver more than 5 years ago, Sony has come a long way with the ES line. Both front and back functionalities and panels have undergone some makeovers. It has an all-new back panel, with support for both wireless rear speakers and wireless subwoofers. The graphical user interface also provides a good user experience.
Talking about user experience, gamers will have more thrilling and realistic experiences with the ES series on their Playstation console unit It supports the latest formats, such as 4K/120, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) in HDMI 2.1, for smoother and clearer movement.
4 models to choose from
Front, from top; hidden panel, open panel, back panel with 8K & 4K/120 HDMI Connectivity and HDMI 2.1 support (7-in/2-out)
Here are the four models to choose from:
STR-AZ7000ES
Sony’s first 13.2 CH 8K1 A/V receiver, the 150-watt 6 STR-AZ7000ES, is optimized for configurability, flexible connectivity, and advanced IP control with leading control systems. It has crystal-clear music reproduction, object-based surround sound, and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 360 Reality Audio3, as well as easy integration for racks.
STR-AZ5000ES
ES quality is everywhere in Sony’s first 11.2 CH 8K1 A/V receiver. With its enhanced configurability, flexible connectivity, and advanced IP control, this 130-watt 6 STR-AZ5000ES is precision-engineered for integrators. And the brilliant music reproduction, object-based surround sound, and support for technologies like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 360 Reality Audio3 make this receiver the intelligent choice for any home theater.
STR-AZ3000ES
Sony’s first 9.2 CH 8K 1 A/V receiver, the 120-watt 6 STR-AZ3000ES is optimized for configurability, flexible connectivity, and advanced IP control. The home theater aficionado will appreciate the crystal clear music reproduction, object-based surround sound, and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 360 Reality Audio.
STR-AZ1000ES
Sony’s first 7.2 CH 8K1 A/V receiver, the 100-watt 6 STR-AZ1000ES, puts crystal-clear music reproduction, object-based surround sound, and support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and 360 Reality Audio3 within reach. It’s a receiver that’s made for integrators with optimized configurability, flexible connectivity, and advanced IP control.
Enjoy movies in a new way thanks to the inclusion of HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision and newly supported 8K1, and IMAX Enhanced on the ES series.
Some more features of the ES series:
The Center Speaker Lift Up makes it possible to increase the sound coming from your center speaker so that it sounds like it’s coming from the voices on the TV rather than the speaker below it. Having a compatible Sony Bravia TV and Center Channel speaker can also allow you to match the source of the audio with the Acoustic Center Sync.
Bottom: 200% thicker
The frame beam base chassis’ design (FBB chassis) serves a key role. The frame has been further stabilized with improved thickness for better sound and less distortion. Now, the bottom is 200% thicker and the side wall is 120% thicker than past models.
The chassis was also developed for Sony’s audio amplifiers. By combining a conventional frame beam chassis with a transformer base, the chassis provides high accuracy and stiffness. Overall, you hear sound clarity, resonance control and protection from vibration.
You’ll like that it features Bluetooth in for connecting to your favorite devices and Bluetooth out so you can connect your headphones wirelessly when you need them. The ES series also has Wi-Fi which allows users to use features like Chromecast, not to mention Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay and Spotify Connect.
The ES series is also Roon-ready. This makes it easy to integrate into your room database. It can wirelessly connect to Sony’s SA RS-3s or SA RS5 speakers to be used as one set of rears. The series can also wirelessly connect to two SA SW3 or SW5 subwoofers, giving you the ultimate inconvenience and flexibility.
You can now even use Sony’s Music Center app to control functions such as Source selection Zone control sound field volume media playback and voice assistant setup right from your mobile device in addition to all the great features.
The ES series provides 12 volt triggers with the AZ3000 ES model getting one while the AZ 5000 ES and az-7000 ES feature three for external peripherals, amplifiers and more. The AZ3000 and up can be equipped with three IR repeaters two out and one in as for multi-zones the AZ1000ES.
AZ3000 ES, AZ 5000 ES and, of course, the AZ7000 ES all have flexible multi-zone distribution capabilities with Zones 2 and Zone 3. The AZ 5000es and az7000es also feature full pre-out support for extended connectivity and flexibility.
This year’s ES lineup definitely lives up to that standard and experience with premium audio and video formats, enhanced connectivity as well as some signature features.
For more information or custom installation, call Premium Digital Control & Automation at (877) 619-2466 or visit us at premiumdigitalcontrol.com.