Denon AVR-X540BT vs Sony STR-ZA810ES

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X540BT vs STR-ZA810ES comparison chart

Denon AVR-X540BT vs Sony STR-ZA810ES review

Denon AVR-X540BT
vs
Sony STR-ZA810ES

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-X540BT and Sony STR-ZA810ES takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X540BT received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-ZA810ES was rated 7.4 points. The release date of AVR-X540BT is 2018, and STR-ZA810ES is 2017. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that STR-ZA810ES has better performance than AVR-X540BT.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X540BT over Sony STR-ZA810ES

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA810ES over Denon AVR-X540BT

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, STR-ZA810ES bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X540BT
6
STR-ZA810ES
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X540BT supports 5.2-channels sound, but Sony STR-ZA810ES supports a 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 STR-ZA810ES this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-X540BT it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/6100/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X540BT 6 out of 10, and the STR-ZA810ES - 7.

AVR-X540BT
6
STR-ZA810ES
7

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 on the STR-ZA810ES.

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.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQDCAC EX
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCompressed Audio RestorerHi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X540BT scored 6, and Sony STR-ZA810ES scored 9 out of 10.

AVR-X540BT
6
STR-ZA810ES
9

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Sony STR-ZA810ES.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Sony STR-ZA810ES.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
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.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesTIDAL, Pandorahas not

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, Denon AVR-X540BT got 6 points, but Sony STR-ZA810ES received 7 points.

AVR-X540BT
6
STR-ZA810ES
7

Denon AVR-X540BT is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-ZA810ES has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available on Sony STR-ZA810ES.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
HDMI input/output5/16/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, 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 AVR-X540BT were rated 6 out of 10 against the 9 for the STR-ZA810ES.

AVR-X540BT
6
STR-ZA810ES
9

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Sony STR-ZA810ES.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
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 featureshas notHLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 8 out of 10.

AVR-X540BT
8
STR-ZA810ES
8

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 STR-ZA810ES can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant. Only the Denon AVR-X540BT has the ECO mode.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
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 notNFC

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.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notMusic Center
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X540BT got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STR-ZA810ES got 7.

AVR-X540BT
5
STR-ZA810ES
7

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Sony STR-ZA810ES can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the STR-ZA810ES.

AVR-X540BT STR-ZA810ES
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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