7 Best Sony Av Receivers 2025 in the United States

The Sony STR-AZ7000ES is a powerful AV receiver designed for serious home theater enthusiasts who want a premium audio and video experience. With 13.2 channels and 150 watts per channel, it can deliver rich and immersive surround sound, making it great for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats that add depth with overhead effects. It supports the latest HDMI 2.1 standard with 8K and 4K/120Hz video, so it’s ready for the best picture quality from modern TVs and gaming consoles. The receiver also offers advanced room calibration through Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, which helps tailor the sound to your room for a more natural experience. Connectivity is strong, featuring Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and compatibility with SONOS systems, so streaming music and integrating with smart home devices is easy. It also works with Google Assistant for voice control.

This receiver is quite heavy and large, which might require a sturdy setup space. The price and advanced features make it best suited for dedicated home theater setups rather than casual users. While the user interface is flexible, some may find initial setup complex if they’re new to AV receivers. This Sony model represents a solid choice for those wanting high-quality, future-proof audio and video performance with modern streaming and smart home compatibility.

The Sony STR-AN1000 is a versatile 7.2-channel A/V receiver that caters well to home theater enthusiasts looking for a robust sound experience. With 165 watts of power per channel, it delivers impressive audio performance, especially with support for advanced formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, providing an immersive surround sound experience. The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ports means you can enjoy high-quality 8K video and fast frame rates, making it a great choice for next-gen gaming consoles and 4K streaming.

One of its standout features is the Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX, which intelligently optimizes sound based on your room's layout, enhancing the listening experience. Additionally, the receiver supports various streaming options including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay, making it easy to access your favorite content.

User-friendliness is another strong point, with a graphical interface that simplifies setup, even for those who may not be tech-savvy. The multi-zone distribution capability allows users to extend audio to different areas of the home, appealing to larger spaces or parties. The Sony STR-AN1000 is a strong candidate for anyone looking to enhance their home entertainment setup, offering impressive sound quality and versatility, though it may require a bit of patience during the initial setup phase.

The Sony STR-AZ5000ES is a high-end AV receiver designed for home theater enthusiasts who want immersive, cinema-quality sound and cutting-edge video support. It offers an 11.2 channel setup with 130 watts per channel, which is powerful enough to fill a medium to large room with surround sound, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for 3D audio effects. Video-wise, it supports 8K and 4K at 120Hz through HDMI 2.1 ports, making it ready for the latest TVs and gaming consoles. The receiver also handles popular HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10, ensuring vibrant picture quality. Its room calibration feature, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX, helps tailor the sound to your space, improving listening comfort.

Connectivity is comprehensive, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Google Assistant compatibility, even allowing integration with SONOS systems for multi-room audio. The setup is made easier with a built-in graphical interface and front panel display. On the downside, while the power is good for most home setups, audiophiles with very large rooms might want more wattage. Also, the weight and size make it a substantial unit that requires sturdy placement.

This receiver represents a strong choice for those seeking a robust, feature-rich Sony AV receiver with future-proof video support and immersive sound capabilities.