The Sony STR-DN1080 versus Yamaha RX-V581 comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-DN1080 received 7.3 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V581 was rated 6.7 points. The release date of STR-DN1080 is 2017, and RX-V581 is 2016. Identified advantages have shown that STR-DN1080 is better over RX-V581 mainly as a home theater processor.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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-DN1080 this value is 120/6 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V581 it is 115/6 W/Ohm.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 120/6 | 115/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 6 | 6 |
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 STR-DN1080 7 out of 10, and the RX-V581 - 8.
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.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 96 KHz/24-bit | Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | DCAC EX | YPAO |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Hi-Res audio, DSEE HX | CINEMA DSP 3D |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
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.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | TIDAL, Pandora | Pandora, JUKE |
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, Sony STR-DN1080 got 7 points, but Yamaha RX-V581 received 6 points.
Sony STR-DN1080 is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-V581 has 4/1 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 only on Sony STR-DN1080.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/2 | 4/1 |
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 | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 2 |
Composite input | 2 | 3 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | USB, phones, AUX |
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 7 out of 10.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ | ✔ |
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 |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✖ | ✖ |
Other video features | has not | DeepColor, x.v.Color, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-DN1080 got 9 points, but the RX-V581 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 STR-DN1080 can be controlled by voice via Google assistant. Yamaha RX-V581 has the ECO mode.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Google assistant | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, Android |
Display | fluorescent | fluorescent |
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 | NFC | 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.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker | speaker |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | Music Center | MusicCast |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
STR-DN1080 | RX-V581 | |
---|---|---|
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-ES, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |