Being able to compare Sony STRZA1100ES and Onkyo TX-NR777 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Sony STRZA1100ES received 6.6 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR777 was rated 6.8 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. TX-NR777 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the STRZA1100ES.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.
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-NR777 this value is 110/8 W/Ohm, and for the STRZA1100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 70/8, 90/6 | 110/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.09 | 0.08 |
The score for audio features is 7 of 10 for both receivers.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Sony STRZA1100ES has Pure Direct mode.
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.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | N/A | 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto speaker calibration | DCAC EX | AccuEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Sound Optimize | Advanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio, Dynamic Audio Amplification |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STRZA1100ES scored 5, and Onkyo TX-NR777 scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting. Of the two receivers reviewed, only Onkyo TX-NR777 has a built-in Bluetooth.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✖ | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✖ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | TIDAL, Pandora |
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 STRZA1100ES got 6 points, but Onkyo TX-NR777 received 7 points.
Sony STRZA1100ES is equipped with 5/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR777 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 STRZA1100ES.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the TX-NR777 has a Phono interface.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 5/2 | 7/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 2/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, setup mic | HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX |
Multi channel preamp output | ✖ | ✖ |
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 STRZA1100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 6 for the TX-NR777.
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 Sony STRZA1100ES.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/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 features | HLG | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the STRZA1100ES got 7 points, but the TX-NR777 has 6.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | fluorescent |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✖ | ✖ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | has not |
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.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | has not | Onkyo Controller app, FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/2 | 1/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 1 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
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 STRZA1100ES licensed by IMAX.
STRZA1100ES | TX-NR777 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |