Sony’s New ES Series: AV Receivers for Better Sound & Visuals

When discussing home theaters, people tend to get most excited about speakers, projectors, screens, and TVs. But the audio-video receiver is just as important, if not more important, than any other AV in your theater. 

And as audio and video formats evolve and improve, so do AV receivers. Whether you’re building a home theater from the start or are looking to upgrade your existing setup, you’re in luck. Our partner Sony recently released five new AV receivers for 2023, with more channels and features than ever. 

Here’s what to expect in Sony’s new ES Series of AV receivers and how they’ll enhance your theater experience at home in Westport, CT.

SEE ALSO: Don’t Overlook These 4 Elements in Your Home Theater Installation 

The New Sony ES Series 

While we’d be happy with one new receiver, Sony outdid itself and debuted five new AVRs for 2023. Four of these receivers are in the new Elevated Standard (ES) Series, plus the STR-AN1000 at a lower price point. 

All four of the Sony ES Series receivers have some features in common. These AVRs are designed for custom integration, enabling all home theater equipment to function in sync. All four models support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound formats, 360-Degree Spatial Audio, and connect to Sony’s wireless speakers. They each include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Google Assistant, ‘Works With Sonos’, and Apple Airplay 2, so you'll enjoy these features no matter which ES Series receiver you choose.  

One of the most interesting commonalities between the ES Series AVRs is the new feature, ‘center channel lift.’ With this feature turned on, the receiver will use both the center channel and front height speakers to ‘move’ the center channel image higher, so it sounds like it’s coming directly from the screen. 

Visually, all four ES Series AVRs include 8K and 4K HDMI connectivity and support HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Imax Enhanced video formats. All ES Series receivers are a great choice for gamers, thanks to the Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate. 

But what about each receiver—what makes them different from each other? 

Comparing ES Series Receivers 

The entry-level ES receiver, the STR-AZ1000ES, includes seven powered channels for surround sound speakers, which is plenty in most starter home theaters. It has two HDMI connectors that support 8K/4K/120 and four other connectors for 4K. The 1000ES doesn’t have preamp outputs for expansion capabilities, but it makes a great choice for most home theaters! 

Next, the STR-AZ3000ES upgrades to 9.2 channels and now four 8K inputs, with ten more watts of power than the 1000ES. The 3000ES' nine channels make a great option for Dolby Atmos surround sound systems. 

Moving along, the STR-AZ5000ES packs an impressive 11.2 channels and bumps up to 120 watts per channel. The 5000ES also includes preamplifier outputs to add larger amps for more powerful speakers. 

And finally, the STR-AZ7000ES leads the ES Series with an incredible 13.2 channels and 140 watts for any speaker imaginable. The 7000ES can also configure three audio zones, so you can use it for your whole-home audio system. This is the ultimate AVR and can support home theaters of any size. 

You don’t have to figure out your home theater on your own—Phoenix Audio Video is here to help. We design and install custom home theaters across Connecticut. Contact us here to learn more and get started today!