Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Sony STR-ZA2100ES versus Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA2100ES received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 was rated 8.7 points. The release date of STR-ZA2100ES is 2017, and AVENTAGE RX-A3080 is 2018. As a result, it becomes clear that AVENTAGE RX-A3080 is a better option for home theater than STR-ZA2100ES.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-ZA2100ES supports 7.2-channels sound, but Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 supports a 9.2-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 AVENTAGE RX-A3080 this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA2100ES it is 75/8 W/Ohm.
STR-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 75/8, 95/6 | 150/8, 230/4 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 4 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.06 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA2100ES 7 out of 10, and the AVENTAGE RX-A3080 - 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.
STR-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | ESS SABRE 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | DCAC EX | YPAO |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Digital Legato Linear, Sound Optimizer | CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA2100ES scored 6, and Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
STR-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | 2.4/5GHz |
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-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Sirius XM, Napster, Qobuz |
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 Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 received 9 points.
Sony STR-ZA2100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 has 7/3 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 Sony STR-ZA2100ES in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 has the HDCP 2.3 version.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVENTAGE RX-A3080 has a Phono interface.
STR-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/2 | 7/3 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 0 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 3 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 3 |
Composite input | 2 | 4 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, setup mic | USB, phones, setup mic, 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 the STR-ZA2100ES were rated 10 out of 10 against the 9 for the AVENTAGE RX-A3080.
STR-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
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 scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | HLG | DeepColor, x.v.Color, BT.2020, HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but the AVENTAGE RX-A3080 has 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 AVENTAGE RX-A3080 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A3080 has the ECO mode.
STR-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
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 | has not | 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-ZA2100ES | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | has not | MusicCast |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/2 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 3 | 2 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
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 | AVENTAGE RX-A3080 | |
---|---|---|
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-HD | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |