Sony STR-DN1080 vs Marantz SR7012

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Review of Sony STR-DN1080 versus Marantz SR7012 will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-DN1080 received 7.3 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz SR7012 was rated 9.4 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. SR7012 is better suited for home theater use than the STR-DN1080. Its sound profile is better balanced.

Main advantages Sony STR-DN1080 over Marantz SR7012

Main advantages Marantz SR7012 over Sony STR-DN1080

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 10, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-DN1080 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Marantz SR7012 supports a 11.2-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 SR7012 this value is 165/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-DN1080 it is 120/6 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-DN1080 7 out of 10, and the SR7012 - 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 SR7012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-DN1080 scored 8, and Marantz SR7012 scored 9 out of 10.

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

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

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-DN1080 got 7 points, but Marantz SR7012 received 10 points.

Sony STR-DN1080 is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz SR7012 has 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the SR7012 has a Phono interface.

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-DN1080 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the SR7012.

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 Marantz SR7012.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-DN1080 got 9 points, but the SR7012 has 10.

Marantz SR7012 has the ECO mode.

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.

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-DN1080 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz SR7012 got 9.

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Marantz SR7012 has Auro-3D on its feature list.