Denon AVR-X3600H vs Sony STR-ZA3100ES

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X3600H vs STR-ZA3100ES comparison chart

Denon AVR-X3600H vs Sony STR-ZA3100ES review

Denon AVR-X3600H
vs
Sony STR-ZA3100ES

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-X3600H and Sony STR-ZA3100ES takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X3600H received 8.7 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-ZA3100ES was rated 6.3 points. The release date of AVR-X3600H is 2019, and STR-ZA3100ES is 2017. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVR-X3600H has better performance than STR-ZA3100ES.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X3600H over Sony STR-ZA3100ES

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 105/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 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.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA3100ES over Denon AVR-X3600H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X3600H
8
STR-ZA3100ES
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X3600H supports 9.2-channels sound, but Sony STR-ZA3100ES 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 AVR-X3600H this value is 105/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA3100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm105/8, 135/670/8, 90/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X3600H 8 out of 10, and the STR-ZA3100ES - 7.

AVR-X3600H
8
STR-ZA3100ES
7

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. Denon AVR-X3600H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32DCAC EX
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC, Compressed Audio RestorerSound Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X3600H scored 8, and Sony STR-ZA3100ES scored 6 out of 10.

AVR-X3600H
8
STR-ZA3100ES
6

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Denon AVR-X3600H.

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

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
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.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloudhas 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, Denon AVR-X3600H got 10 points, but Sony STR-ZA3100ES received 9 points.

AVR-X3600H
10
STR-ZA3100ES
9

Denon AVR-X3600H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-ZA3100ES has 6/2 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 Denon AVR-X3600H in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Sony STR-ZA3100ES has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the AVR-X3600H has a Phono interface.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
HDMI input/output8/36/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.30
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input22
Component input/output2/02/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, 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 AVR-X3600H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 7 for the STR-ZA3100ES.

AVR-X3600H
9
STR-ZA3100ES
7

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 only with Denon AVR-X3600H.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X3600H got 10 points, but the STR-ZA3100ES has 6.

AVR-X3600H
10
STR-ZA3100ES
6

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 AVR-X3600H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Denon AVR-X3600H has the ECO mode.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, 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 featuresIP Control, Web Controlhas 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.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS Apphas not
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/2
DC trigger output (12V)13

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X3600H got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Sony STR-ZA3100ES got 7.

AVR-X3600H
9
STR-ZA3100ES
7

Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X3600H STR-ZA3100ES
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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