I don't have a dedicated HT room. I think in that scenario the calibration works extremely well with very few tweaks. Being I have a great room I found I had to override many of the measurements with actual measurements taken by me per speaker distance from my seating area to speaker distances from my TV. In addition I have very large speakers even for my SRd's, so they were calibrated large. Heights were small. I then changed all of them to be small. This provides the ability to fine tune the frequency pass filters. This made a huge improvement to my sound in my great room. Just loving it. I still need to run REW for my SVS SB4000 subs. Being Sony doesn't provide individual sub outs I will be utilizing the bass management software c in the SVS SB4000's. SVS stated for AVR's without multiple subs and without having more sophisticated DSP room correction like Dirac they suggested that I use the REW software (free) and take measurements send them the file and they will send the recommended PEQ for each sub. If you don't have subs with built in bass management like the SVS higher line subs with PEQ, I would suggest purchasing a Mini DSP mic and processor for your subs. They are not over the top expensive and work great. This will provide your HT room with enough outputs to match the amount of subs you have. Then you can fine tune them perfectly.

Can’t wait to set mine up

Thanks for that positive preview of what I should expect. Going into this one with optimism. -Jon

Looking forward to your findings. It will be good to compare notes. -Jon

Very interested to hear how Sony compares to Arcam. 👍 Arcam has Dolby Volume and Dolby Leveler which should be HUGE advantage compared to Sony. 👌

I don't think Dolby Volume/Leverlery provide much. I demoed it with my Arcam AVR 850 and keep it off. Below are some other posts from AVForums which I agree with them as well. "I keep testing movies with DV turned on/off. I find Dolby Volume adds to the sound field and brings out the special effects. Action scenes sound great BUT I also find that it distorts dialogue by giving it a tiny bit of an echo or something that takes away from natural sounding dialogue. It is very hard to describe and my wife doesn't even notice the difference (it is very subtle). I notice it though and, as a result of the effect on dialogue, I think I will ultimately choose to go without it." "I quite like the effect of Dolby Volume at low listening levels. Useful for when the kids are in bed. At normal volumes I prefer not to use it." @@MrDante10no

Thanks for the heads up about the potential for hiss and pops. Sony 360 vs Yamaha AI - should be interesting. It is a shame that we often have to put up with some negative aspects on models that are otherwise high performers. Hope I don’t find the same problems. -Jon

I own a 5000ES and have no issues. I owned 3 Arcam units over 15 years and all of them either died or had issues which I had to send to a certified Arcam repair center for fixes. I am done with Arcam.

@garykarczewski6678 and with Arcam you pay a premium price - one would expect a higher quality and reliability. -Jon

I agree. I don't understand the pricing of their equipment. I don't see over the top cabinet or aesthetics like high end products which are like a work of art. They are more plain than others as well. Their failure rate is not top notch in my opinion. Too many horror stories. Fortunately their warranty is 5 years. They are very proud of their pricing though. LOL. I found out most of their gear has over a 50% profit margin built in for the retailer thus I can see why retailers push Arcam. When they work they sound very good. But let me tell you my new Sony 5000ES is right there with sound quality and in some cases even better. I am loving the new Sony 5000ES.

Glad the content was helpful. -Jon

So nice of you to recognize. I tried hard to execute on the models covered this year. I missed mainly the lower cost AV Processors from Emotiva, IOTAVX and ToneWinner. -Jon

Should have a good chance in the next few days to explore with a report back shortly. -Jon

Thanks for that compliment. I hope of the rest of the series continues that impression. -Jon

I can see why they have crowned the Sony STR-AZ7000ES as their product of the year. For me, it is good and I recommend, but there are a few misses which keep me from saying the same. However, I don't fault them - it is a still a fair honor they bestowed on Sony. I give Sony credit for introducing some unique features. -Jon

Understood. FYI Audioholics also crowned it best AVR for 2023 in this price point.

Audioholics too - Sony definitely has something going. There are enough interesting features for me to produce 8 videos. -Jon

Idk why that guy always says Onkyo RZ50 as best even vs Yamaha RX A6A, esp when Audioholics crowned the Yamaha plus on r/hometheater, those guys are in banned list lol.

Have it wired up, now the fun begins… -Jon

That is odd - I would think Australia 🇦🇺 would be a strong market for them. Of course, if they did, it would likely much more expensive then other countries. -Jon

Excited about this one. Lots of buzz on the 360 mapping. Anxious to put it through its paces and understand how much it delivers over standard approaches. -Jon

@@ripewave yes indeed, quite a few reviewers are raving about 360 and I'm looking forward to your opinions on this one.

I hope they are right. I sometimes deviate from the crowd. -Jon

I just watched Audioholics video with the Sony representative and Gene called out several limitations - including subwoofers in parallel, no bass room calibration (distance only / position), no PEQ, and classifies the range as best for those who are seeking a simple configuration and not those who wish to perform advanced calibration. The big item is to understand the 360 mapping and the value it brings over standard approaches. -Jon

Thanks. I always seem to start off with a simple concept of opening the box then I decide that having some background first is helpful and then decide that adding a few comparisons will be even more helpful. So they take more time then initially conceived. The rack is from VTI Manufacturing BL series - three leg version. www.vtimanufacturing.com/product_category/audio-video-rack-bl-series/

$1,700 for the Denon X4800 - wow that is the lowest price I have heard to date. Yes - tempting at that price / makes the additional cost for Dirac easier to take. -Jon

hi so you heard both the x3800 and x4800 just like jon. what are your experiences and sound differences between both ? how much better is x4800 sound vs. x3800 sound? thanks.

@@ranakirti Well for the exact same price it’s nothing more to say. The 3800 is 1699.00 on denon site and the 4800 is 2499.00. As mentioned the later is on sale for 1700.00 You will get more power per channel which allows lower volume levels to achieve proper speaker productivity which to me means less strain or distortion. Others may disagree. I felt that the craftsmanship for the 4800 coming from Japan was very impressive. Not everyone understands what it takes to work on the production of something and have master craftsmanship versus hi output assembly lines but I do. I felt that the DAC would be better in the 4800 but it’s hard to verify that maybe the 6800 will have the bump up in quality and not the 4800. Again for the price is a no brainer. I’m sure it won’t last.

@@ripewave great point, totally forgot about that’s extra cost. Here’s another deal that knocked me over. Not your cup of tea but the definitive technology D17 towers that launched at 2300$ ea. went on sale for about 600$ :-) I bought 4 the other day. I’m blown away by them. My plan was to purchase the x6800h (front wides is what I’m after) which is why I bought (4) D17’s. I could run my x4800h and just split the front LR signal into my emotiva xpa5 , I won’t have individual control but my goodness the imagery is superb. Stunning. A set was over $4k and now with the matching center is $1499. Crazy! They are so good that if I can clone the left and right front by adding that second set or running them together 4ohm is gonna be amazing if I can do it. Correct me Jon if I’m wrong with that? These things are hungry for power. I put one set on a emotiva basX 7 and it’s not even close, need way more power and still was blown away!

I think it was from a regional product introduction video Sony produces for the US market. Glad I could provide that detail for you. -Jon

I am always surprised when an AV Receiver over $1,500 doesn’t support independent subwoofer control for at least 2 subwoofers. With that said, even those that allow independent control don’t have a real bass control room calibration let alone one that provide for multi-subs and most that do make you pay extra. Arcam and Monoprice have been the only models which I have tested that support that feature. My feeling is that feature can help, but the most important attribute is how it sounds. It may be possible for a model with multi-sub room calibration not to sound as good as one that doesn’t. Albeit - I would rather have that option. -Jon

As an owner of Sony, I am glad you can weigh in here. I view Sony’s mode settings as separate items. First there is the D.C.A.C. IX calibration which is require for the two optional modes. The first mode is the speaker relocation which can be Type A (side surrounds behind listener slightly) or Type B (side surrounds in front of listener). I have tried both and they do present differently- it is noticeable. I have also turned off. I have some more listening before I weigh in on what I prefer. As for Spacial Sound Mapping which can be applied independently, I have found that it’s value depends on the content. Some sound clearly better and some sound worse. There are some recording which The bass is lowered noticeably. Not sure why I am hearing a change in bass reproduction with a Spacial mapping function. Seems like they are doing more than just remapping outputs. -Jon

@@ripewave Watched all 3 pf the reviews so far. Very thorough detailed reviews. I dont want to add work but you seem to leave no stone unturned anyway :) You mentioned reduced bass, If you can during your testing try a speaker layout setting with no center channel such as 4.1.2

The new Marantz and Denon ranges are very compelling if you have 3-4 subwoofers. I found the new Sony too perspective / automatic with its calibration. No option to view what they are doing or customize. -Jon

Between ta1000an and cinema 60 which one will choose you?.

It is only rated for 150W at 2 channels driven. They do not publish an all channels driven rating. -Jon

@@ripewave thanks John. Looking forward to your third video good sir.

Working on it this weekend. -Jon

Furthermore, I keep confusing it with my blu-ray remote and it takes me a while to realize I have the wrong one. With so little buttons on the remote I am surprised they dedicated buttons for test functions which would go better for more frequently used functions. -Jon

Glad you enjoyed, more to come. -Jon

Glad you are interested in this series. I hope I can provide valuable content. I compare products of similar functionality. The prices don’t always line up. In an ideal world. - higher prices for units of similar capabilities should at least sound better. Not always the case and I try to call attention to when the high price isn’t justified. Also, the pricing each company assigns to different regions/ countries can be very different. One product may be cheapest in one country and most expensive in another. -Jon

@@ripewave Good morning, Thank you for your reply. I agree with you, a more expensive amplifier should sound better but that is not always the case. I have had several hi-fi amplifiers from 600 to 2400€. One day I found a review from a Polish person who was struck by the sound quality of the Onkyo A-9150 for such a low price. A year later the same Pole received the Onkyo A-9130. In his article he didn't understand how Onkyo had released an amplifier that was even cheaper but which sounded at least as good as the Onkyo A-9150, if not better. He couldn't believe his ears. So I ordered these two amplifiers even though I had an Audiolab 6000A, Cambridge CXA81, Musical Fidelity M2si and m5si and hegel H120. When I listened to the Onkyo A-9130 I didn't believe it. I sold all my amplifiers mentioned. Knowing that these two Onkyos do BYPASS (Main in, Power direct) to connect it to a home cinema amplifier. I have an Onkyo RZ50 connected to the Onkyo A-9130 e bypass. For less, a stereo amplifier generally sounds better than a stereo home theater amplifier. Certainly the Sony 7000 has 11 channels but why would I pay 1000€ more when with the Sony 5000 9.1 I can add a hi-fi amplifier (for example the ONkyo a9130 for 230€) knowing that the Onkyo will sound better in stereo what 5000 or even 7000? Certainly, the DAc of the 7000 is a 9038pro but is it for all channels? In cinema is the 9038pro used in a 5.1, 5.1.4, 7.1, 7.1.4 configuration or only in stereo? Certainly the 5000 has a saber 9028pro dac........ This is valid for the Onkyo RZ70, how much better is it than the rz50 with the addition of a hifi amplifier for 250, 200, 180 euros with the RZ50? THE sound has auro 3d, etc. but what if they sound better? what if his 360 is so good that it makes us forget dirac? THE question of price matters That said, thank you very much for your work, which is interesting and helps a lot of people, including me, when making choices when we don't have the option of doing otherwise.

The Sony Receivers only support a single voltage input. I can only find 110V versions. Not sure if Sony has produced a 220V version. -Jon

That is a positive and would make this the first receiver I have reviewed that has that capability. Thanks for sharing. -Jon

@@ripewave I'm very eager to hear your assessment. I'm doing my upgrades now and decided to go with at least 13.1 channels and the 7000ES is on my short list along with the Denon X6700/X6800. I want Auro3D but willing to give the 7000ES a shot if the Spatial Sound Mapping allows the 7000ES to keep up with the Auromatic upmixer.

Sometimes there are tough choices. Hopefully I can make it a little easier- Jon

@@FURognar I tested the 7000 and it's good with 360, I like it as well as the auro 3d. The auro is a bit different and I prefer it but I'm perfectly happy with the sony. My denon with auro was only like $1700 I think to get auro, but the sony is I think $3200 so as much as I like the sony it was not worth double. I'll get it laster on sale.

Paying double is tough.

Unless I am able to build a relationship with Denon, I will have to wait until the product is released to market. I have held back from that approach as I feel I would be pressured to hold back any negative finding. I understand in the Spring 2024. However, it is on my list to review some after release. -Jon

​@@ripewave, Hey Is This Or Who Is The Best Sounding Avr Receiver You'd Heard So Far??? Or Is It A Top 2 Or 3 List ?????

There are a few out there like the Emotiva RMC-1/1L and Monoprice HTP-1, that have 16 channels and supports a 9.2.4 configuration. My recommendation depends on the features you are looking for. -Jon

@@ripewave 👍🏼 Looking for 9.2.4 with wide front support. Have all external amps(emotiva xpa 9 and crown, may replace crown with another xpa 4), but don’t want to throw crazy cash at processor. Leaning Sony 7000 but wish I didn’t have to pay that steep up charge (example from the 5000) when the amplification on board is wasted $. Hesitant on emotiva room correction. Thoughts?

The Emotiva XMC-2 on up all support Dirac Room Calibration so I wouldn’t worry about that. It is the BasX models that have the EmoQ calibration which I haven’t tested yet. The XMC-2 sells around $2,500. -Jon

@@ripewave thank you

That is correct. The Sony 2-channel mode only sends output to the left and right front speakers. It does not send low frequencies to the subwoofer, which is not ideal (or it should be optional). Other brands take this approach but it is usually the direct stereo mode or pure direct mode with the standard stereo mode leveraging the subwoofer as determined by the crossover setting. -Jon

Wow...I was falling in love with this receiver, but I can't overlook this. Loving your channel. Thanks Eddie@@ripewave

Direct mode will engage the subwoofer

Thanks for youth request. I hope to put together a super comparison video in my next series with the flagship models from Pioneer, Onkyo and Integra to fully understand the differences between these very similar models and to learn how they measure up against the competition using my Emotiva RMc-1 and Marantz Cinema 50 as reference points. -Jon

Grreat. Thanks.@@ripewave

Yes - A nice foundation, but a few items missing. My TA-E9000ES was made in Japan - that is a different class of product (just doesn't have modern feature set). I know the lack of Auro-3D support would kill this one for you. No plans to add Auro-3D in the future either - they are saying "Dolby Atmos has won this round." -Jon

@@ripewave lol, yes, not if I have a say in the game! And I used to drool over the Japan made Sony ES series, equipment back in the day. That’s one fine piece you have there Jon….even if it is outdated.

Thanks for giving my old processor some respect. -Jon

Thanks for giving my old processor some respect. -Jon

The ESS chipsets are fine. The key is the processing design circuit that makes for great sound. I had a old Cirrus chipset in the Arcam 850 and they moved to ESS on their current models. I couldn't hear any difference being the Arcam circuit design was the same for the AVR30/31 as the AVR 850. Per no AM radio who cares? Unless you need to have the ability for emergency over the air broadcast should your internet go down I see no use for both AM/FM at all. I stopped using the radio section of my Arcam and don't use the Sony either. I stream everything now via my WiiM Pro which sound fantastic and provides all the radio media I can ever want and more. This include local, sports, and news as well as music. Per input outputs, does one really need more that 6? Really what the heck is one plugging in and out that requires more? I use only one HDMI output to my TV which is an old 70" Sony Bravia which isn't capable of eARC. Soon to be upgraded. Inputs are a Fire TV and an Oppo 203 BRP. Eventually I will add two gaming consoles Xbox and Playstation. That provides me 1 extra output 4 extra inputs. Why do you need balanced connectors? are you running extremely long lengths or do you have poor grounding in your home? Maybe you should consider a processor if you need balanced? Auro 3d has such limited content I don't really care though I have heard the upmixing in Marantz and Dennon is cool. In addition the spatial 360 provide outstanding audio immersion. Per headphone jack. Another legacy old connector not really needed. If I want to use headphones I choose my wireless Sony WH-1000X MS. They work perfect with the Sony wireless connectivity. In conclusion to this reply, I find that Sony did the job right looking forward at technology that is most current. A bit of Apple idealism to get rid of the old legacy connectivity and move with the new. I think their circuit design is great as is their software. Great Job Sony. Only one item I would like to have seen them do a bit more modern and new is the display. But being most items are visible onscreen this isn't big deal to me either. I think being their system is also rack mountable they figured it wasn't that important.

The Playstation 5 works well with the new Sony AV Receivers. You can plug the PS5 directly into the Sony AVRs, which support HDMI 2.1. They just don't support all the HDMI 2.1 features as well as other AVRs. -Jon

KZfaq usually auto-generates those for me. I suspect that this video was just posted, they are still processing the captions. I will look into. -Jon

I do find the front cover to be an odd choice. While it looks good on, the choice to have detected seems like another move to reduce cost. -Jon