Review of Denon AVR-X6500H versus Sony STRZA1100ES will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X6500H received 9.4 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STRZA1100ES was rated 6.6 points. The release date of AVR-X6500H is 2018, and STRZA1100ES is 2017. AVR-X6500H is better suited for home theater use than the STRZA1100ES. Its sound profile is better balanced.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 10 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X6500H supports 11.2-channels sound, but Sony STRZA1100ES 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 AVR-X6500H this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the STRZA1100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 11.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 140/8, 175/6 | 70/8, 90/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.05 | 0.09 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X6500H 9 out of 10, and the STRZA1100ES - 7.
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.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Denon AVR-X6500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | N/A |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 | DCAC EX |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC, Compressed Audio Restorer | Sound Optimize |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X6500H scored 8, and Sony STRZA1100ES scored 5 out of 10.
Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Denon AVR-X6500H.
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-X6500H has a built-in Bluetooth.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✔ | ✖ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✖ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✖ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix | has not |
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-X6500H got 10 points, but Sony STRZA1100ES received 6 points.
Denon AVR-X6500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STRZA1100ES has 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-X6500H has a Phono interface.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/3 | 5/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 4 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/1 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic | USB, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✖ |
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-X6500H were rated 10 out of 10 against the 7 for the STRZA1100ES.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | analog to HDMI | ✖ |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020 | HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X6500H got 10 points, but the STRZA1100ES has 7.
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-X6500H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Denon AVR-X6500H has the ECO mode.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✖ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | IP Control | has not |
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-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | HEOS App | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/2 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 1 |
Denon AVR-X6500H got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STRZA1100ES got 7.
Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Denon AVR-X6500H has Auro-3D on its feature list.
Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.
AVR-X6500H | STRZA1100ES | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD |
Auro-3D | ✔ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |