Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Sony STR-ZA2100ES

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

RX-V385BL vs STR-ZA2100ES comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V385BL vs Sony STR-ZA2100ES review

Yamaha RX-V385BL
vs
Sony STR-ZA2100ES

Let's make the Yamaha RX-V385BL versus Sony STR-ZA2100ES comparison. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-V385BL received 4.7 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-ZA2100ES was rated 6.5 points. The release date of RX-V385BL is 2018, and STR-ZA2100ES is 2017. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the STR-ZA2100ES is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V385BL over Sony STR-ZA2100ES

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA2100ES over Yamaha RX-V385BL

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 75/8 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-ZA2100ES bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • 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.

RX-V385BL
6
STR-ZA2100ES
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Yamaha RX-V385BL supports 5.1-channels sound, but Sony STR-ZA2100ES 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-ZA2100ES this value is 75/8 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V385BL it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
Channels5.17.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 145/675/8, 95/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-V385BL 5 out of 10, and the STR-ZA2100ES - 7.

RX-V385BL
5
STR-ZA2100ES
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-ZA2100ES.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Sony STR-ZA2100ES has Pure Direct mode.

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-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bitN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EX
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTDigital Legato Linear, Sound Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 6 out of 10.

RX-V385BL
6
STR-ZA2100ES
6

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

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
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.

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas 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, both receivers got 7 points on our 10-point scale.

RX-V385BL
7
STR-ZA2100ES
7

Yamaha RX-V385BL is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-ZA2100ES has 6/2 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 Yamaha RX-V385BL in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Sony STR-ZA2100ES has the HDCP 2.2 version.

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
HDMI input/output4/16/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)12
Headphone output1 x 6.30
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input22
Component input/output0/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, AUXUSB, HDMI, 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 RX-V385BL were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the STR-ZA2100ES.

RX-V385BL
9
STR-ZA2100ES
10

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-V385BL got 5 points, but the STR-ZA2100ES has 7.

RX-V385BL
5
STR-ZA2100ES
7

Only the Yamaha RX-V385BL has the ECO mode.

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
Voice control
App controliPhone, 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 nothas 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.

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas nothas not
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/2
DC trigger output (12V)03

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-V385BL got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STR-ZA2100ES got 7.

RX-V385BL
5
STR-ZA2100ES
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-ZA2100ES 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-ZA2100ES.

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. The STR-ZA2100ES licensed by IMAX.

RX-V385BL STR-ZA2100ES
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 96/24, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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