Sony Reveals New AV Receiver Lineup, Headlined by the 13.2-Channel STR-AZ7000ES

(February 1, 2023) It's been a minute, actually years, but Sony has finally emerged from its AVR slumber. Yesterday, the company revealed five new receivers, four of which have their sights set on the custom integrator market.

The new lineup comprises models priced between $900 and $3,300, with the STR-AN1000 ($900), 7.2-channel STR-AZ1000ES ($1,100), 9.2-channel STR-AZ3000ES ($1,700), and 11.2-channel STR-AZ5000ES ($2,100) anchored by the 13.2-channel STR-AZ7000ES ($3,300). All five carry HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K/120Hz functionality and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. In addition, they feature 4K/120Hz and wireless connectivity to Sony's SA-RS5 and SA-RS3S rear speakers and SA-SW5 and SA-SW3 wireless subwoofers.

The least expensive model, the 7.2 channel STR-AN1000, is the only consumer oriented model, offering six HDMI inputs, two of which support 8K. In addition to support for Dolby and DTS immersive sound, the AN1000 offers movie fans access to Sony's proprietary 360 Spatial Sound Mapping.

Sony's Elevated Standard (ES) series of AV receivers are designed with the custom integrator in mind, presenting optimized configurability, flexible connectivity and advanced IP control compatibility with leading control systems. Featuring support for the leading control systems from Control4, Crestron, Savant and OvrC (not to mention, Works with Sonos), integrators can achieve seamless integration with the control system of their choice. Set up is also a breeze with multiple ways to configure the receiver such as the graphical user interface, or front panel display.

Sony says ES receivers have a frame beam base chassis (FBB chassis) that's been developed for the audio amplifiers by combining a conventional frame beam chassis with a transformer base, providing high accuracy and stiffness, the frame is more stabilized, reproducing better sound with less distortion. Additionally, the overall thickness of the ES series has been improved. Now, the bottom is 200% thicker and side wall is 120% thicker than previous generations.

In addition to common features such as Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Vision, 8K1, and IMAX Enhanced, all five new receivers support gaming friendly features such as VRR and ALLM. They also carry Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology, which places multiple phantom speakers around the room using positional information measured by Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX (D.C.A.C. IX). This proprietary calibration package also corrects distance, angle, sound pressure and frequency response of each speaker by measuring the speaker placement in 3D using the supplied calibration microphone. This works alongside Auto Phase Matching which aligns the phase of different speakers.

The STR-AZ7000ES stands as the only model capable of offering 360 Reality Audio playback, thanks to its 13-channels of onboard amplification.

The non-ES STR-AN1000 will be sold through Sony's own website, Amazon, Best Buy, other authorized retailers, while ES models can only be purchased through Sony and custom installation professionals.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Wow, looks pretty impressive - welcome back Sony!

Regards,
Wayne

 

[Manic1]

Nice to see Sony back in the game!

 

[Robert Zohn]

I just got back from Sony's Invite Only new 2023 ES receiver presentations for select Sony Diamond dealers and here's a couple pictures from one of the demo rooms.

It's a 5.6.8 audio system that showcased Sony's new flagship VPL-AZ7000ES audio receiver. The projector is Sony's flagship XW7000ES w/150" SI Unity Gain screen. This was an exceptional premium Cinema system.

What made this premium high-end demo even more impressive is that all 13 speakers are the same Kef Ci3160RL 4 Ohm speakers!
For for a new 150 watts per channel 8 Ohm rated receiver to drive 13 power hungry 4 Ohm speakers and pay with exceptional audio fidelity at any volume was very impressive and enjoyable.

 

[Robert Zohn]

I just confirmed that Sony's very first allocation/shipment of all 4 of the new 2023 AZ ES Receivers will be delivered to our store Friday, March 3. I'll be immediately setting them up in all of our new suites of home theater projection systems.
In some of our new Cinema demo rooms we'll use Sony's SA-RS5 wireless rear speakers and the SA-SW5 wireless sub woofer. All of our new demo room will take full advantage of all of the receiver's amplifiers capability. So in the demo room with Sony's XW7000ES Native 4K HDR projector that has Perlisten speakers we'll be demonstrating a 9.3.4 Dolby Atmos/DTS:X audio system.

Our next Cinema demo room has Sony's XW6000ES Native 4K HDR Projector with Bowlers & Wilkins 7.3.4 speakers powered by Sony's new AZ5000ES.

 

[Robert Zohn]

Update, you know when it comes to new a/v technology advances I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. So to ensure I get a good night's sleep I sent one of our techs to p/u our shipment of AZ1000ES, AZ3000ES, AZ5000ES and AZ7000ES from the Fed Ex depot.

We'll be rocking with Sony's new 2023 Receivers TODAY!!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Hey Robert... how's it going so far with the new receivers? Did you get a 7000ES integrated?

 

[Robert Zohn]

As of this past Friday I've set-up Sony's AZ5000ES and AZ3000ES. I had to deliver all of our AZ7000ES receivers from our first shipment.

More AZ7000ES receivers are coming Tuesday and I'll have the AZ7000ES set up in one of our new high-end 13.4 channel Cinema demo rooms.

Hope you will stop by to see our new suites of premium Cinema Demo Rooms all with the leading brands of high-end receivers, separates, and speaker brands.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It's definitely in the plan. I'm hoping to meet DJ Briggs there (Brightside Home Theater Podcast) to checkout Sony and JVC projectors. Do you have both deployed in these rooms?

 

[Robert Zohn]

We have JVC's NP5, NZ7, NZ8 and NZ9 in our new suites of premium Cinema demo rooms. I also have Sony's new Native 4K HDR long throw projectors and every UST brand on display/demo.