Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Marantz SR5012

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA2100ES vs SR5012 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Marantz SR5012 review

Sony STR-ZA2100ES
vs
Marantz SR5012

The Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Marantz SR5012 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA2100ES received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz SR5012 was rated 8.4 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. SR5012 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - STR-ZA2100ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA2100ES over Marantz SR5012

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Marantz SR5012 over Sony STR-ZA2100ES

  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 75/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
SR5012
7

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 SR5012 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA2100ES it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm75/8, 95/6100/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA2100ES 7 out of 10, and the SR5012 - 9.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
SR5012
9

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. Marantz SR5012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/A192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAudyssey MultEQ XT
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresDigital Legato Linear, Sound OptimizerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA2100ES scored 6, and Marantz SR5012 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
6
SR5012
8

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

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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.

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

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, Sony STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but Marantz SR5012 received 8 points.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
SR5012
8

Sony STR-ZA2100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz SR5012 has 8/2 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-ZA2100ES.

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
HDMI input/output6/28/2
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 output01 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input22
Component input/output2/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones
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 STR-ZA2100ES were rated 10 out of 10 against the 9 for the SR5012.

STR-ZA2100ES
10
SR5012
9

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
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 featuresHLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but the SR5012 has 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
SR5012
10

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 SR5012 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Marantz SR5012 has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, 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 notIP Control

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.

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notMarantz AVR Remote App
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/21/0
DC trigger output (12V)31

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz SR5012 got 8.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
SR5012
8

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. Only the STR-ZA2100ES licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA2100ES SR5012
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-HDDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here