Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Onkyo TX-RZ740

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA2100ES vs TX-RZ740 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Onkyo TX-RZ740 review

Sony STR-ZA2100ES
vs
Onkyo TX-RZ740

Let's make the Sony STR-ZA2100ES versus Onkyo TX-RZ740 comparison. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA2100ES received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-RZ740 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of STR-ZA2100ES is 2017, and TX-RZ740 is 2019. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the TX-RZ740 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA2100ES over Onkyo TX-RZ740

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-RZ740 over Sony STR-ZA2100ES

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 75/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but TX-RZ740 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • 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 devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
TX-RZ740
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-ZA2100ES supports 7.2-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-RZ740 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 TX-RZ740 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA2100ES it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA2100ES TX-RZ740
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm75/8, 95/6100/8, 225/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
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 TX-RZ740 - 9.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
TX-RZ740
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 TX-RZ740
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresDigital Legato Linear, Sound OptimizerAdvanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio, Dynamic Audio Amplification

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA2100ES scored 6, and Onkyo TX-RZ740 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
6
TX-RZ740
8

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Onkyo TX-RZ740.

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

STR-ZA2100ES TX-RZ740
Wi-Fi
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 TX-RZ740
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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 Onkyo TX-RZ740 received 8 points.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
TX-RZ740
8

Sony STR-ZA2100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-RZ740 has 7/2 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.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the TX-RZ740 has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA2100ES TX-RZ740
HDMI input/output6/27/2
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 input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, setup micHDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
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 8 for the TX-RZ740.

STR-ZA2100ES
10
TX-RZ740
8

STR-ZA2100ES TX-RZ740
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 featuresHLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but the TX-RZ740 has 9.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
TX-RZ740
9

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 TX-RZ740 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

STR-ZA2100ES TX-RZ740
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDfluorescent
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 TX-RZ740
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
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 Onkyo TX-RZ740 got 8.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
TX-RZ740
8

Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA2100ES TX-RZ740
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
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
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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