Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Yamaha RX-V485

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA3100ES vs RX-V485 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Yamaha RX-V485 review

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
vs
Yamaha RX-V485

An overview of Sony STR-ZA3100ES and Yamaha RX-V485 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA3100ES received 6.3 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V485 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of STR-ZA3100ES is 2017, and RX-V485 is 2018. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that STR-ZA3100ES is inferior in audio processing features to RX-V485.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA3100ES over Yamaha RX-V485

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V485 over Sony STR-ZA3100ES

  • 80/8 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.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-V485
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-ZA3100ES supports 7.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-V485 supports a 5.1-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 RX-V485 this value is 80/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA3100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-V485
Channels7.25.1
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/680/8, 145/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 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-ZA3100ES 7 out of 10, and the RX-V485 - 9.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-V485
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-ZA3100ES RX-V485
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/ABurr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresSound OptimizerCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA3100ES scored 6, and Yamaha RX-V485 scored 7 out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
RX-V485
7

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Yamaha RX-V485.

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

STR-ZA3100ES RX-V485
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-ZA3100ES RX-V485
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM

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-ZA3100ES got 9 points, but Yamaha RX-V485 received 8 points.

STR-ZA3100ES
9
RX-V485
8

Sony STR-ZA3100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-V485 has 4/1 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-ZA3100ES in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Yamaha RX-V485 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-V485
HDMI input/output6/24/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)21
Headphone output01 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input23
Component input/output2/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, setup micUSB, phones, 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-ZA3100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 9 for the RX-V485.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-V485
9

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 Yamaha RX-V485.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-V485
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 conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, BT.2020, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA3100ES got 6 points, but the RX-V485 has 9.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
RX-V485
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 RX-V485 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri. Yamaha RX-V485 has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-V485
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, 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 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-ZA3100ES RX-V485
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notMusicCast
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/20/0
DC trigger output (12V)30

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-ZA3100ES got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-V485 got 5.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
RX-V485
5

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-ZA3100ES 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 only on the STR-ZA3100ES.

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-ZA3100ES licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA3100ES RX-V485
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic
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, DTS Neo:6
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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