Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Yamaha RX-V385 and Sony STR-ZA810ES takes place. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V385 received 5 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-ZA810ES was rated 7.4 points. The release date of RX-V385 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 RX-V385.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 5 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V385 supports 5.1-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.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.1 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 70/6 | 100/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 6 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.09 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V385 6 out of 10, and the 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.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit | 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | YPAO | DCAC EX |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT | Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Yamaha RX-V385 scored 5, and Sony STR-ZA810ES scored 9 out of 10.
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.
Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the STR-ZA810ES only.
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.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | ✖ | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✔ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | 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, Yamaha RX-V385 got 6 points, but Sony STR-ZA810ES received 7 points.
Yamaha RX-V385 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-ZA810ES has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 4/1 | 6/2 |
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) | 1 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX | USB, phones, 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 RX-V385 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the STR-ZA810ES.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
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 scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color | HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V385 got 6 points, but the STR-ZA810ES has 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 Yamaha RX-V385 has the ECO mode.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Google Assistant |
App control | iPhone, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | fluorescent | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✖ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✖ | ✔ |
Firmware update | USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | NFC |
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.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | has not | 2 |
Zone audio output | has not | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | has not | ✔ |
Multi-room control | has not | Music Center |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
Yamaha RX-V385 got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STR-ZA810ES got 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.
RX-V385 | STR-ZA810ES | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic | Dolby 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:6 | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |