Sony STR-DH590 vs Sony STR-ZA2100ES

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-DH590 vs STR-ZA2100ES comparison chart

Sony STR-DH590 vs Sony STR-ZA2100ES review

Sony STR-DH590
vs
Sony STR-ZA2100ES

Let's make the Sony STR-DH590 versus Sony STR-ZA2100ES comparison. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-DH590 received 4.2 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-ZA2100ES was rated 6.5 points. The release date of STR-DH590 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 Sony STR-DH590 over Sony STR-ZA2100ES

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA2100ES over Sony STR-DH590

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, STR-ZA2100ES bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 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.

STR-DH590
6
STR-ZA2100ES
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-DH590 supports 5.2-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-DH590 this value is 145/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA2100ES it is 95/6 W/Ohm.

STR-DH590 STR-ZA2100ES
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm145/675/8, 95/6
Output impedance, Ohm68, 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 STR-DH590 5 out of 10, and the STR-ZA2100ES - 7.

STR-DH590
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.

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-DH590 STR-ZA2100ES
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCACDCAC EX
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featureshas notDigital Legato Linear, Sound Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-DH590 scored 5, and Sony STR-ZA2100ES scored 6 out of 10.

STR-DH590
5
STR-ZA2100ES
6

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-ZA2100ES only.

STR-DH590 STR-ZA2100ES
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
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-DH590 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, Sony STR-DH590 got 6 points, but Sony STR-ZA2100ES received 7 points.

STR-DH590
6
STR-ZA2100ES
7

Sony STR-DH590 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-ZA2100ES has 6/2 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 on Sony STR-ZA2100ES.

STR-DH590 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 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.30
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input02
Component input/output0/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsphones, setup micUSB, 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 STR-DH590 were rated 6 out of 10 against the 10 for the STR-ZA2100ES.

STR-DH590
6
STR-ZA2100ES
10

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Sony STR-ZA2100ES.

STR-DH590 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 featuresHLGHLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-DH590 got 4 points, but the STR-ZA2100ES has 7.

STR-DH590
4
STR-ZA2100ES
7

STR-DH590 STR-ZA2100ES
Voice control
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updateUSBnetwork, 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.

STR-DH590 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

Sony STR-DH590 got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STR-ZA2100ES got 7.

STR-DH590
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.

STR-DH590 STR-ZA2100ES
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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