Part 8 - Sony STR-AZ7000ES AV Receiver - dts:X Pro & Conclusion In-house Review

[@richp3744]

Thanks! Wanted to send the $10 like I said I would. Might ask a few more questions in regards to those receivers. Appreciate your amazing and highly informative videos! Great work. 👍

[@ripewave]

Very generous thanks! Go ahead ask away - if I can't answer, I bet someone else will know here or add to what I can offer. -Jon

[@mattgiunt]

Sounds like Sony did a fast track to release this after the Pandemic and needed to spend more time with it to fix shortcomings before releasing it. Very glad you spent time exploring the receiver problems. I think the next generation of Sony receiver will be a game changer if they fix its issues. On the forum I never saw so many people not happy with operation of the receiver yet keeping it because the sound is best they ever heard !

[@ripewave]

The good thing is the current strong points are in good areas and they deliver features not found elsewhere. I agree - they could develop a next level if they want to - they have the resources. -Jon

[@djparra41]

⁠​⁠@@ripewave Hey Jon, you rated this above the Marantz Cinema 40 and I’m curious as to why or what about it you thought was better? After watching all 8 videos I can’t see how you came to this conclusion? My main interest in this unit is possible benefit of the 360 but I also like a lot of bass so it seems to take away just as much as it gives.

[@jb.2986]

Well drawn conclusions Jon. Thanks for the summary.

[@BrianGarside]

Thanks Jon for this great series, I learned a lot. I think I will pass on this for now, the cons of s single sub with limited bass management, 2 speaker presets and limited web configuration is pause for me to wait. I'm really interested in your Integra series DRX 8.4. hoping for a more balanced and mature receiver that's been doing it for longer. I think this is a really good run for Sony getting back into the game given how challenging it is.

[@failingup4907]

I have the 5000es, the x4800h will be here tomorrow. I'm thinking about looking into Arcam AVR11 also.

[@ranakirti]

pls share comparison notes. 👍

[@failingup4907]

@@ranakirti Will do..

[@mikeschmidt2339]

Yes please share I’m using a 4800h

[@failingup4907]

@@mikeschmidt2339 I haven't opened up the 4800 yet. The Arcam is giving me all sorts of problems. I hooked the Don't 5000es back up, zero problems. The sound coming from the Arcam is excellent. But it comes with quirks. I'm probably going to set the 4800 up when I have time. Probably on Thanksgiving. I'll see what's what then

[@failingup4907]

I ended up going with the Pioneer 505. Sounded as good as anything else and the app is much better than the rest. For the price, you can't go wrong.

[@allensnyder4641]

I've had the AZ7000ES for a couple of weeks now, and haven't had any problems at all like those I've (rarely but occasionally) read about. It was replacing a Yamaha A3080, in order to get HDMI 2.1. That was my second Yamaha in a row, and I considered a third but preferred HDMI 2.1 built in from the start, not firmware-updated in. (Because I'm a computer scientist on the software side, so I don't trust software, to include firmware. :-) ) I've had a Denon, a Marantz, *and* the pricey Onkyo that had supposedly replaceable modules that never worked out due to the HDMI revolution, all top-of-the-line because I can't stand the idea that I'm not getting everything I can, and I have to say that the Sony sounds as good as any of them. Now where I have an issue with the Sony is the lack of turntable input, but I knew about it going in so purchased a pre-amp at the same time. Still, given how prevalent vinyl is these days, the lack is shortsighted on Sony's part. Setup was more complex than with the Yamahas, but no harder than the Denon, Marantz, or Onkyo. What I don't like is the lack of a comprehensive, printed manual, but that seems to be de rigueur these days. But even the online manual is lacking: Sony needs to make sure we know what each of the sound settings will do with a particular input, and more comprehensively detail other aspects of the receiver as well. Oh, the one big problem I had with the receiver is that it doesn't seem to work well with my Harmony Hub setup. I ended up having to connect the hub directly to the receiver's IR input, but even that only worked if I had the Harmony send each command twice. And related to that, it would be nice if the receiver had remote commands that bring up each individual sound setting instead of needing to cycle through the music or movie sound modes with the individual buttons. Cycling through doesn't work well with a series of remote commands if we can't be sure what the receiver was set to during prior use with the particular input. To sum up, overall I'm very sastisfied, although I think the price should be a couple hundred dollars less to be more competitive, but hasn't that always been true for Sony electronics (except PlayStation)? Overpriced for what you get, but what you get is pretty good.

[@pseuba]

I’m in the same boat - considering an upgrade from RX-A3080, having had RX-A770 and RX-A730 previously, so your comment is very helpful!

[@Dvaun1]

Fantastic review! I appreciate your channel. Thank you!

[@andrenashsavage]

Well thx Jon I have a marantz sr 6011 and been looking into replacing it I was looking at the Sony es 7000 but will continue to wait, biggest issue I have is the lack of independent subwoofer bass management. In today’s market it should be a no brainer to have that included.

[@ripewave]

What other features are important to you? Auro-3D? Dirac?

[@tadzius5829]

Love your detailed and comprehensive analysis and comparisons you do in all of your videos compared to other reviewers! You previously compared the Cinema 50/ 40 and X3700H/ 4800H, and noted the sound improvements going to the upper tiers. Do the Sony es receivers perform similarly, ie sound improvements moving from 5000es to 7000es?

[@tadzius5829]

Physical esthetics aside, how do you rank the Marantz Cinema 40, Denon X4800H (still waiting on your X6800H completion), and Sony STR-AZ5000es/ 7000es, and maybe the Onkyo RZ50/ 70? I'm still struggling with decision for av receiver for both musicality and movie watching.

[@ripewave]

Thanks for the kind feedback. I will be providing a sound comparison soon which will position the Denon AVR-X6800H among all the receivers and processors we have reviewed to date. I am hoping to discover that this model offers sonic enhancements over the Denon AVR-X4800H and Marantz Cinema 40, but have yet to run that analysis. Stay tuned... - Jon

[@tadzius5829]

Thanks for the prompt response, John. Regarding my first post, is there any sound quality/ improvement with the Sony 7000es over the 5000es? And how did you find the sound of the Sony relative to the Cinema 40/ X4800H (which you said were fairly similar)? @@ripewave

[@peternovev3610]

Hi there, great set of videos. Thank you. Can you please share if this AV can drive 2 subs independently?

[@Darknight-ss9xl]

+1 I have the same question. It does say its a .2 system, so I assume it supports 2 independent sub outputs but would be great if someone can confirm?

[@ripewave]

While Sony labels their AVRs as .2, that is misleading. The .2 only means they have two physical subwoofer outputs on the back of the unit, but they are receiving the same signal and volume/phase. They cannot be independently controlled or calibrated from within the unit. I wish they was not label as .2. -Jon

[@Darknight-ss9xl]

Great video series Jon! This is super helpful. I am currently between the Sony 7000ES and Marantz Cinema 30. I have a 7.2.4 set up but my room has two pillars in the middle so speaker arrangement isn't text book. I have 2 main criteria for purchase - 1. Sound quality; 2. Surround sound immersion. I can live with the lack of onscreen I/O info and robust app support (although not happy). What would you recommend between the 2 receivers?

[@ripewave]

Thanks! Tough call on what would be right for your situation. Sony excels at virtual relocation of speaker if placed in a less than ideal physical position. What you told me is that there are obstructions not necessarily bad speaker placement. So the speakers don’t necessarily have to virtual move rather you need to account for poor room characteristics. Both units provide a room correction solution, but Marantz has two better options for that (Dirac Live and Audyssey MultEQ-X). I also prefer the sound quality, build quality and features that come with the Marantz Cinema 30. The Sony does have a sound mode to make the playback more spacious which is nice. -Jon

[@trauma50disaster1]

I tried the wides, I liked it but it seemed kind of gimmiky, just playing the same as the L & R just a little altered. Idk I didn't give it enough of a review, just one movie and I used 360ssm to get the data in the wides. I guess I need to try again with atmos. How do you get a streaming movie in dtsX? Btw you can't use dual center as you mentioned with the wides but you can do center raise with the heights and for me that is just as good.

[@paulgross682]

Jon, great series on the Sony AZ7000ES. I currently have a 5.1.2 system but unfortunately my sofa has to be against the wall with Kef Q Atmos speakers on the rear wall angling down but still shoots over your head for the most part. In your opinion will the Sony spacial room correction phantom ability help this poor speaker placement sound better?

[@ripewave]

Yes - the Sony receivers are able to compensate for poor speaker placement. The classic sofa at the back of the room issue is a hard one to overcome. Not sure how what the Sony will do, but it is the only brand I know that is attempting to solve the problem. -Jon

[@mrwilliamwonder]

In your case the surrounds should be at your sides.

[@robjohnson9235]

I use front wides for years, essential! Will DTS-X Pro upmix 2 channel stereo?

[@ripewave]

Yes - DTS-x Pro does support 2 channel upmixing. -Jon

[@truwarrior22]

Regarding front wides, I think you should still have all 4 surrounds before adding the 2 front wides.

[@ripewave]

I agree with your guidance. I find things start to sound front heavy it you don’t have the full set of surrounds. -Jon

[@richp3744]

⁠@@ripewaveJon - found your channel about a month or so ago when Researching the Sony. Love the content. I’d love to see you do some live with super chat so I could pick your brain. Or maybe just answer this for me and I’m more than willing to give you a $10 thanks. Building addition with blank slate that will house HT/listening room and what receiver would you choose with a 50/50 mix of HT/music? Looking at least 11 plus channels. Every one seems to rave about Auro3D. Andrew Robinson swears on Sony and the 360 etc. I’d probably spend up to $5k on receiver. Receiver rec or maybe even just build my HT. I’ll send thanks $. Cheers - Rich.

[@ripewave]

Glad you are here and contributing to the dialog. For an 11.2 solution that has good sound, that includes Auro-3D support, I find you need to spend at least $2,500 starting with the Denon AVR-X4800h. That model is reliable and checks a lot of feature boxes and delivers a tier 2 sound quality. If you want similar features at tier 1, the Yamaha RX-A6A or RX-A8A is worth consideration. I will soon find out if the new Onkyo, Pioneer and Integra model, which also deliver similar features provide high quality sound for both movie and music and which tier they fall into. I start my analysis this weekend with all three arriving a few days ago. I wouldn’t consider $5000 range Anthem or Arcam models , which are more expensive and don’t beat Yamaha on sound quality and are processor separates (and Anthem doesn’t have Auro-3D). I would consider Monoprice HTP-1 as it is around $4,000 and competes with the others within top tier sound. At 3,000 Yamaha is the high value model with top tier sound, Auro-3D and Dirac included. I also like Emotiva, which I own, but it less mainstream in its supported features - while no Auro-3D, streaming feature or HDMI 2.1, it has balanced inputs and top tier sound. Emotiva has new version coming within the next year, so it may be good to hold on that one for now. -Jon

[@wa2368]

I have been playing with the AZ5000ES for the past 24 hours. There is no loss of bass with the 360 SSM. Could it be that something about your room, speaker placement, listener placement is making the calibration do something odd?

[@ripewave]

Glad to hear that. It seems to be consistent despite running calibration multiple times for my room and setup with certain content. There is some content it seems just find. -Jon

[@eddiewyatt66]

I've had the 5000ES for a month now. I can confirm that I have the loss of bass in 360 SSM also. I haven't put the SPL Meter on it, but my guess is about a 10DB loss. This is the best sounding receiver I've owned. Coming from the Pioneer LX505.

[@laatinable]

​@@eddiewyatt66in order to enjoy 360SSM you need to set Sony's phantom speakers on too, so the digital processing runs in a digital alignment of your speaker. Look Ealan Osborn's review

[@tao6295]

I bought a Sony 5000ES, but when I enable 360SSM, a hissing sound is produced from all speaker tweeters. Have you encountered this issue during your review? I tried different speaker brand, but the hissing sound is very repeatable with 360SSM

[@ripewave]

I heard some hiss during startup but it settled out. I have heard reports from others with similar experience as you. I suggest you raise with Sony. That is not acceptable. -Jon

[@tao6295]

@@ripewave I reached out to Sony and was told this is a FEATURE, not a defective unit. The noise will be there regardless of unit or model number. So even if I switch to another unit or upgrade to 7000ES, the noise will be there with 360SSM. I asked why Sony makes a feature to make noises, and was told it’s just part of the circuit design.

[@ripewave]

Extremely odd response. I don’t buy it. Hiss should never be present. -Jon

[@tao6295]

⁠@@ripewaveHappy New Year Jon. They kinda indicated it’s part of the circuit design… I assume it’s a flaw in the circuit. Did you use an external amplifier in your testing? Maybe it’s an issue with its internal amp. Maybe the problem goes away if an external amp is used.

[@ripewave]

Yes - I only tested with external amplifiers. -Jon

[@flennnn]

Appreciate your videos and opinions! I have a lot of room constraints and am considering changing out my SR8012 to an AZ5000ES for the virtual speaker features of the Sony. Right now it's a 5.1 setup with the couch on the back wall, rear surrounds are on stands on both sides of the couch toed in to the listening position. If it would help, on the back wall right behind the couch are two windows where I could put two small bookshelf speakers on the sills and aim them upward. They would be about 8" in back and 18" lower then listener's ears. Not ideal! Basically a dysfunctional 7.1 setup. The Marantz can only do so much with Audessey and my tweaks. Wondering if it's worth going losing some of the features of the Marantz to possibly get better sound processing.

[@ripewave]

I think your challenged room is ideal for the Sony 360 Spacial technology. It may be worth a try to bring a unit in for the trial period and compare against existing. Return if the Sony doesn’t outperform the Marantz. I will add the rear surrounds may not be as crucial on placement as other speakers - so that is one position that is more flexible. -Jon

[@PIFDIY]

@@ripewave I purchased the AZ5000ES about 3 weeks ago and it has made an improvement in my room. The surround sounds more enveloping and active than the Marantz. I also prefer the tone of the Sony over the Marantz. Dialogue is even better than the Marantz, which always did well. Although it was an improvement in these areas, it would not have been worth the additional cost if the rear surround channel hadn't stopped working on the Marantz. This is what drove me to look at replacements.

[@Darknight-ss9xl]

@@PIFDIY Apart from surround sound, how would you compare the sound quality with Marantz? Did you notice any differences?

[@PIFDIY]

@@Darknight-ss9xl Yes, it sounds better. As I mentioned in the previous post, tone and dialogue are better than the Marantz. The Sony seems a little more dynamic as well, but we're talking about two very good receivers so honestly the differences are not night and day. Subtle but noticeable.

[@tomconnell7154]

Does this or the 5000 have a LFE + Main setting for 2 channel with a sub ?

[@ripewave]

If it does, it is not configurable. I just checked the manual add they don't appear to have an option to configuration LFE+Main. -Jon

[@tomconnell7154]

@@ripewave A sony rep informed the following = Yes it does, put the receiver in Direct vs. 2 channel to enable sub output.

[@jjchmiel78]

Thank You for such an in depth coverage. I was considering changing out my Marantz Sr6013. Sounds like I should continue saving my pennies and continue waiting for a better option or if my unit dies.

[@tstfam]

A final wrap up comparison between what you have done these reviews on would have been nice. As in depth as you've been, it ended with a bit of whimper. Just a list of pros and cons that I don't know how compare to the others.

[@ripewave]

Here is the plan. Let me know what else is needed. Part 1 - provided a comparison against its nearest peers Part 4 - provided a sound comparison against all models all brands I have reviewed to date. Part 8 - was designed as just a list of pros and cons Coming after I complete the Onkyo, Pioneer and Integra flagship super comparison a year end video that picks winners and losers in each category. I think that is what you want. Jon

[@tstfam]

@@ripewave yes, that would be great! Although, for me, the rz 70 is top of mind.

[@zen3dx326]

I agreed with what you said about the AZ7000ES, Jon, and thank you for taking so much of your time to make these videos. Sony loves to cheap out their products. I have the AZ5000ES and I think the front magnetic plate is very cheap made when compares to let's say Denon 4800H has a soft close door. Also, the back of the AVR looks very cheap as well especially the hard plastic antennas that are not even removable/ screw on. Sony can make great products like their tvs and cameras which I have many in the house, but at the same time they always try to cut corners on their AVRs, headphones...etc. They haven't made any decent speakers for ages and nowadays they focus on making those plastic bluetooth portable speakers for parties. Besides of the AZ5000ES, I have the Yamaha A8A and I think the built quality could have been better, the plastic covers takes scratches easily and the display requires a telescope to read when sitting over 10 feet away. I think nowadays most customers tend to buy sound bars, so companies like Sony invest their money on related products instead of AVR. I am just grateful that Sony renewed their ES AVR, but I wish they put more efforts. The 7000ES and 5000ES should at least have a headphone jack and XLR input/output

[@ripewave]

We are aligned. Your comment " I am just grateful that Sony renewed their ES AVR, but I wish they put more efforts." is where I am at as well. -Jon

[@kenaipaws477]

Hi Jon, I am sorry for asking you a question that is not regarding to this video. Right now I see that the yamaha A8A that you reviewed is only $2199 now on Amazon and I have been waiting for it to be on sales for a while. At the same time, I was able to snatch a brand new Arcam AVR20 for under $900 and I will need to pick it up in a few days. I need an AVR to power my Bowers & Wilkins 702 Signature and Wharfedale Elysian 2 for stereo listening while I watch movies sometimes. In my use cases, I am 80% music/20% movies, so an AVR has good music performance is my preference. In your opinion, do you think I should go ahead and pick up the Arcam or get the A8A? Or even the A6A will be enough? Please let me know. Thank you

[@ripewave]

I am about the same 80% music. The Arcam and Yamaha models are all top tier and their sound output quality. I feel the Yamaha is a better value with more consistent quality. The Arcam units often require servicing to address noises. Beyond having more power the A8A has better DACS then the A6A so if in your budget I would go with the flagship. -Jon

[@chebrubin]

Front wides are the most incredible way of filling out the front Left, Center and Right bubble to have parity with the dual rear sides and back bed layer speakers. Try watching Godzilla vs Kong to hear discrete Dolby Atmos TrueHD 9 channel bed layer mix. Jon you really nailed it hear finding the best feature of this receiver is a DTS:X Pro implementation that lets sound come out of the front wides when playing DTS:X (and just about anything else with the DTS Neural up mixer). Sony adopting DTS:X Pro is fantastic. Wonder why we could not nudge them to make this a processor only variant with PEQ and no amplification for $3,999.99. It probably has better quality sound than the Anthem AVM70. Does the HTP1 support DTS:X Pro?

[@ripewave]

Yes - I think of all the features in the Sony, I feel the front wide capability was the most beneficial across use cases. I will have to try the Godzilla vs Kong to demo. Sony and Yamaha both need to step back into the AV Processor market. It is a big hole. Monoprice has been saying "There will be an upgrade to DTS: X Pro" for over a year and that it has been working in development since last year - just waiting on UI. That UI is taking a long time. I bet they will have early 2024. Jon

[@mikeschmidt2339]

Do u like the Denon 4800h better than the new Sony current avr is 4800h not sure if I like it no energy

[@sonynut1]

There are 2 sub outputs. Keep looking

[@ripewave]

A flagship receiver without at least 2 independent subwoofer outputs is certainly under the current baseline standard. We are now starting to see up to 4 independent subwoofer outputs - Marantz, Denon, Anthem. -Jon

[@scruffy8861]

Jon, any plans to review the Anthem MRX-1140? I'm saving up and your input would be helpful when it's time to go forward.

[@ripewave]

I am nervous about testing Anthem again given the issues I had with the AVM70 and Anthem ARC Genesis blowing my speakers. I want assurance from Anthem before I connect my speakers is to one of their models again. I will try, but they haven’t been responsive. -Jon

[@trauma50disaster1]

Buddy, you got it wrong for movies in 5.1.5.3 cause Sony is givng such poor documentation. You do want 360ssm on when watching movies because as you say you won't get data in the bottoms since no movie format sends data there. So for movies turn 360ssm on so you do get the DSP to send data down there. Again, for music in the 360RA then you want 360ssm off. I guess I'll be the only person on Earth enjoying movies with it, oh well good for me. Btw it's good too, all of the dialoge comes from the center and the bottom 3 get the ambient sent there and it gives great details you don't get out of regular 1 speaker center channel.

[@zedisonamorim3819]

Um sonho de consumo impossível pra mim

[@ripewave]

I am not sure I understand. Feel free to elaborate. -Jon

[@dragonstone6594]

Sony climbed the whole mountain and dropped off right before the summit. Compared to Marantz it lacks a lot o feature like the attractive looks, 4 subwoofer outs, no phono or headphone outs, software control etc. Not to mention the fact that you can't even buy ANY of the ES series of Sony receivers in Europe! They only sell the lowest tier version the AN1000 and even that is super overpriced compared to the competition like the Yamaha V6A, they have priced it to compete with the Marantz Cinema 70 that has full pre-outs. smh

[@ripewave]

I agree it is an odd strategy - particularly in Europe. -Jon

[@wezzman1]

The QMS issue is not Sony's fault. It seems like the rush to put 2.1 HDMI in AV receivers has cropped up yet another BIG issue. No AV receivers with the Nuvoton 2.1 boards will ever do QMS. We'll have to wait till 2026 until they redesign or another company make one. The entire AV world is an absolute S**T storm of poorly built and rushed technology. And the only ppl that stuffers is us the consume.😢

[@ripewave]

Thanks for that clear reason. I guess the other brands which another supplier for HDMI 2.1 chips got lucky. I agree the whole situation with HDMI is crazy. I just find it odd that Sony makes the PS5 and 8K TVs which is one of the only HDMI 2.1 sources isn’t able to align on the right supplier for this AVR. They should be more informed than all the other AVR brands given their position as a major supplier of 8K. -Jon

[@wezzman1]

@@ripewave totally agree, it's a very very odd situation that no one can get aligned even under the same name....these ppl should be the clever ones😂

[@GeeksFeelingGood]

Sony is making rookie mistakes sadly. Let’s see, a hard to see main info screen, a bad app, and a bad web interface, an overall lack of details between all of them. At least the TV interface looks cool. Lacks dual or quad sub support, poor base management. No fine adjustments to the sound profiles after the auto room correction process. No EQ. I’ll catch Sony in 5 years when the STR-AZ7000ES MKII comes out.

[@ripewave]

I think your comments are fair. They had the chance to reach a wide audience with this one given some of their unique features but the choice not to include some core features, at least in the flagship model, is baffling to me. -Jon

[@rafacq]

Sorry, don’t see the need to describe everything you covered on previous videos, instead use the time to continue to expand your review.

[@tstfam]

I agree on this. At least add chapter marks so we can quick skip more easily.

[@ripewave]

I think chapter marks are a good item. I did those in the past, but have been lazy. -Jon