Sony STR-ZA810ES vs Denon AVR-S950H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA810ES vs AVR-S950H comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA810ES vs Denon AVR-S950H review

Sony STR-ZA810ES
vs
Denon AVR-S950H

An overview of Sony STR-ZA810ES and Denon AVR-S950H will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA810ES received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S950H was rated 7.3 points. The release date of STR-ZA810ES is 2017, and AVR-S950H is 2019. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that AVR-S950H is inferior in audio processing features to STR-ZA810ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA810ES over Denon AVR-S950H

  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S950H over Sony STR-ZA810ES

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

STR-ZA810ES
7
AVR-S950H
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 STR-ZA810ES this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S950H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/890/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm88, 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-ZA810ES 7 out of 10, and the AVR-S950H - 6.

STR-ZA810ES
7
AVR-S950H
6

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the STR-ZA810ES.

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-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)384 KHz/32-bitAKM 192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audioAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA810ES scored 9, and Denon AVR-S950H scored 7 out of 10.

STR-ZA810ES
9
AVR-S950H
7

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Sony STR-ZA810ES.

STR-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
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-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix

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-ZA810ES got 7 points, but Denon AVR-S950H received 8 points.

STR-ZA810ES
7
AVR-S950H
8

Sony STR-ZA810ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S950H has 8/2 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 Sony STR-ZA810ES in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-S950H 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 AVR-S950H has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
HDMI input/output6/28/2
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)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output0/02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, 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 STR-ZA810ES were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S950H.

STR-ZA810ES
9
AVR-S950H
8

STR-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
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 featuresHLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA810ES got 8 points, but the AVR-S950H has 10.

STR-ZA810ES
8
AVR-S950H
10

Denon AVR-S950H has the ECO mode.

STR-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
Voice controlGoogle AssistantAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
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 featuresNFCIP Control, Web 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-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMusic CenterHEOS App
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

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

STR-ZA810ES
7
AVR-S950H
7

STR-ZA810ES AVR-S950H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby 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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