8 Best Sony Av Receivers 2026 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-AZ1000ES is a solid choice for someone looking to build a high-quality home theater system with support for the latest video and audio technologies. It offers 7.2 channels, which means it can handle up to seven speakers plus two subwoofers, providing a rich surround sound experience. The power output is about 100 watts per channel, which is decent for medium-sized rooms but might feel a bit light for very large spaces or those wanting extremely loud sound.

One of its standout features is the support for 8K and 4K/120Hz through HDMI 2.1 ports, making it future-proof for new gaming consoles and ultra-high-definition sources. It also supports popular surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which add immersive 3D audio effects. The built-in room calibration system helps adjust the sound for your specific room layout, improving audio quality. Connectivity is versatile, with options including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and even integration with SONOS speakers, which is great if you want a multi-room audio setup. It also works with Google Assistant for voice control, adding convenience. The receiver supports all common HDR video formats, so your movies and shows will look vibrant and detailed.

While it’s packed with features, the power level might be underwhelming for audiophiles or very large home theaters. Also, the interface and setup, though flexible, could feel a bit complex for beginners. This receiver is well-suited for enthusiasts who want a modern, well-connected AV receiver with strong audio and video capabilities but do not require extremely high power for huge rooms.

The Sony STRAZ3000ES is a solid choice for anyone wanting a powerful and feature-rich AV receiver for a home theater system. It offers a 9.2 channel setup, which means it can handle a full surround sound experience with two subwoofers, delivering immersive audio especially with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Its power output of 120 watts per channel at 8 ohms should be enough to fill most medium to large rooms with clear sound. On the connectivity front, it’s well equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports (6 inputs and 2 outputs), allowing seamless support for the latest 8K and 4K/120Hz video formats, making it future-proof for new TVs and gaming consoles. The receiver also supports a wide range of HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10, which enhances picture quality when connected to compatible displays.

For audio tuning, Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping help adapt sound to your room’s layout, improving audio clarity and immersion. There’s also good wireless flexibility with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay, plus integration with Google Assistant and SONOS systems for smart home compatibility. One thing to keep in mind is that while 120 watts per channel is decent, audiophiles with very large rooms or high-powered speakers might want more. The unit is also on the heavier side and might require some effort for setup, particularly if you want to fully customize its settings.

The STRAZ3000ES excels in delivering advanced audio and video features alongside smart connectivity, making it an ideal option for movie lovers and gamers seeking a premium, integrated home entertainment experience.