Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Onkyo TX-NR696

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Rating 5 5

STR-ZA3100ES vs TX-NR696 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Onkyo TX-NR696 review

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
vs
Onkyo TX-NR696

Let's compare Sony STR-ZA3100ES versus Onkyo TX-NR696 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA3100ES received 6.3 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR696 was rated 7.6 points. The release date of STR-ZA3100ES is 2017, and TX-NR696 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, TX-NR696 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than STR-ZA3100ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA3100ES over Onkyo TX-NR696

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR696 over Sony STR-ZA3100ES

  • 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 models have rated 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
TX-NR696
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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 TX-NR696 this value is 165/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA3100ES it is 90/6 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA3100ES TX-NR696
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/6165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
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-ZA3100ES 7 out of 10, and the TX-NR696 - 9.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
TX-NR696
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 TX-NR696
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 featuresSound OptimizerAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA3100ES scored 6, and Onkyo TX-NR696 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
TX-NR696
8

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Onkyo TX-NR696.

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

STR-ZA3100ES TX-NR696
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 TX-NR696
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-ZA3100ES got 9 points, but Onkyo TX-NR696 received 7 points.

STR-ZA3100ES
9
TX-NR696
7

Sony STR-ZA3100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR696 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-ZA3100ES.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the TX-NR696 has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA3100ES TX-NR696
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 input20
Component input/output2/00/0
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-ZA3100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 8 for the TX-NR696.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
TX-NR696
8

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 Onkyo TX-NR696.

STR-ZA3100ES TX-NR696
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 featuresHLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA3100ES got 6 points, but the TX-NR696 has 9.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
TX-NR696
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-NR696 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

STR-ZA3100ES TX-NR696
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 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 TX-NR696
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/20/0
DC trigger output (12V)30

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
TX-NR696
7

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 TX-NR696
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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