Denon AVR-X8500H vs Sony STRZA1100ES

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X8500H vs STRZA1100ES comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Sony STRZA1100ES review

Denon AVR-X8500H
vs
Sony STRZA1100ES

Review of Denon AVR-X8500H versus Sony STRZA1100ES will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500H received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STRZA1100ES was rated 6.6 points. The release date of AVR-X8500H is 2018, and STRZA1100ES is 2017. AVR-X8500H is better suited for home theater use than the STRZA1100ES. Its sound profile is better balanced.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500H over Sony STRZA1100ES

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but AVR-X8500H has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • Has the Bluetooth protocol.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Main advantages Sony STRZA1100ES over Denon AVR-X8500H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

AVR-X8500H
10
STRZA1100ES
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500H supports 13.2-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-X8500H this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the STRZA1100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500H STRZA1100ES
Channels13.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 250/670/8, 90/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500H 10 out of 10, and the STRZA1100ES - 7.

AVR-X8500H
10
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-X8500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X8500H STRZA1100ES
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bitN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32DCAC EX
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFCSound Optimize

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X8500H scored 8, and Sony STRZA1100ES scored 5 out of 10.

AVR-X8500H
8
STRZA1100ES
5

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Denon AVR-X8500H.

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-X8500H has a built-in Bluetooth.

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 Denon AVR-X8500H.

AVR-X8500H STRZA1100ES
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-X8500H STRZA1100ES
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloudhas 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-X8500H got 10 points, but Sony STRZA1100ES received 6 points.

AVR-X8500H
10
STRZA1100ES
6

Denon AVR-X8500H 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-X8500H has a Phono interface.

AVR-X8500H STRZA1100ES
HDMI input/output8/35/2
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 input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input42
Component input/output3/12/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, 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-X8500H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 7 for the STRZA1100ES.

AVR-X8500H
9
STRZA1100ES
7

AVR-X8500H STRZA1100ES
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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X8500H got 10 points, but the STRZA1100ES has 7.

AVR-X8500H
10
STRZA1100ES
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-X8500H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Denon AVR-X8500H has the ECO mode.

AVR-X8500H STRZA1100ES
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, 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 featuresIP Control, Web Controlhas not

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-X8500H STRZA1100ES
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS Apphas not
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/2
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500H got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STRZA1100ES got 7.

AVR-X8500H
10
STRZA1100ES
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-X8500H has Auro-3D on its feature list.

Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500H STRZA1100ES
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby 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-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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