Sony STRZA1100ES vs Denon AVR-S950H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STRZA1100ES vs AVR-S950H comparison chart

Sony STRZA1100ES vs Denon AVR-S950H review

Sony STRZA1100ES
vs
Denon AVR-S950H

An overview of Sony STRZA1100ES and Denon AVR-S950H will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Sony STRZA1100ES received 6.6 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S950H was rated 7.3 points. The release date of STRZA1100ES is 2017, and AVR-S950H is 2019. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that STRZA1100ES is inferior in audio processing features to AVR-S950H.

Main advantages Sony STRZA1100ES over Denon AVR-S950H

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Denon AVR-S950H over Sony STRZA1100ES

  • 90/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • Has the Bluetooth protocol.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

STRZA1100ES
7
AVR-S950H
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 7.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the AVR-S950H this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the STRZA1100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STRZA1100ES 7 out of 10, and the AVR-S950H - 6.

STRZA1100ES
7
AVR-S950H
6

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the STRZA1100ES.

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAKM 192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresSound OptimizeAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STRZA1100ES scored 5, and Denon AVR-S950H scored 7 out of 10.

STRZA1100ES
5
AVR-S950H
7

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Denon AVR-S950H.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting. Of the two receivers reviewed, only Denon AVR-S950H has a built-in Bluetooth.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Sony STRZA1100ES got 6 points, but Denon AVR-S950H received 8 points.

STRZA1100ES
6
AVR-S950H
8

Sony STRZA1100ES is equipped with 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S950H has 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Sony STRZA1100ES in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-S950H has the HDCP 2.3 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-S950H has a Phono interface.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
HDMI input/output5/28/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the STRZA1100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S950H.

STRZA1100ES
7
AVR-S950H
8

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STRZA1100ES got 7 points, but the AVR-S950H has 10.

STRZA1100ES
7
AVR-S950H
10

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The AVR-S950H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Denon AVR-S950H has the ECO mode.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featureshas notIP Control, Web Control

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notHEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/20/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

STRZA1100ES
7
AVR-S950H
7

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. Only the STRZA1100ES licensed by IMAX.

STRZA1100ES AVR-S950H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HDDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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