Sony ES STR-AZ7000ES
Juan from Corcoran, CA on 12/1/2024
Great unit , lots of good clean power, brought my movie night back to life. Sports sound awesome, hear all the little things you would never hear on your regular tv speakers..I'm very pleased ??
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8 of 9 found this helpful
Great sound, all around powerhouse
Gary from Lake Ozark, MO on 11/23/2024
Works awesome with my 6 high in-wall speakers for Dolby Atmos! I was always an Onkyo owner before, but now will always go with Sony. Best receiver I've ever owned, and I've been buying them since 1969.
Pros: Everythig
Cons: None
12 of 13 found this helpful
Sony vs Arcam - Sony Wins
Edward from Austin, TX on 2/12/2024
Sony for the win! When compared to my $16k Arcam setup. There are some things that Sony should have changed to make the onboarding experience more pleasant. I bought the 5000ES, it went so well I upgraded to the 7000ES. I compared the Sony against my Arcam AV40 with $11k worth of NAD Master amps. I love the sound of the Arcam (when it works!), but the bugs make it very difficult to live with. I threw in the 5000ES, plugged my speakers directly into it and was shocked with the sound quality. The AV40 had a more sophisticated sound, so I added the NAD Master Amps to the Sony and the quality improved (but not worth $11k of an upgrade). The sound quality of the Sony is close enough to the AV40 to be angry at Arcam for not making a more reliable product. I still prefer (ever so slightly) the Arcam sound, but it's soo close that I can't recommend Arcam over the Sony. The Arcam has slightly better transparency and is a bit more "neutral", their dolby surround modes make EVERYTHING sound great. The Sony requires some tweaks to make everything shine. Atmos content is amazing on both! But the Sony works ALL THE TIME, even after massive setting changes - and is $3k compared to $16k (amps required). New Sony users, goto HDMI settings, turn on CEC control. Then system setting/volume display set to Absolute. After calibrating, you may turn off "calibrated type" to eliminate fuzz when moving around Apple TV menu.Calibrate in quiet room Sony, Please make a p
Pros: - Reliable - Sound Quality - Plenty of Power for all speakers - Atmos, virtual speakers, 360 SSO - Integrates super well into Sony TV - Brings out the bass - Future options for advanced center channels - Price! - Full Preamp outs - Great phantom center - Sonos Integration - I use all three triggers - Lots of options (which can also be a bad thing)
Cons: - Static heard when navigating through Netflix menus and Apple TV menus - Can't turn off internal amps when using preamp outs - Be prepared to turn off calibration type to test the sound quality and potentially eliminate fuzz in menu navigation - Mic cable about 10' short for mic to get ideal placements - Would prefer to have something like Dirac Live
32 of 32 found this helpful
Great product but......
Nick from Elizabethtown, PA on 2/6/2024
I was drawn to the az7000es help set-up and optimization of my 7.1.4 home theater. Specifically, only my front R/C/L +SW are on the floor. Surround, back and .4 are ceiling mounted and due to a suspended ceiling and non-moveable objects i.e. sprinkle heads and lighting I had limited placement options. Well the AZ7000 es delivered a dramatic improvement in sound over the Denon X6400H it replaced (yes I was trying to do something the Denon really couldn't do). So why only 4 stars? The user interface and lack of directions will leave you mystified at times. Here are a few other nits: why didn't Sony provide an OSD that mirrors the unit's front panel? At least with my Denon, I could easily see and access configurations. The unit can be used to bi-amp the front speakers but limits you to 5.x.4 config. I assumed incorrectly that all outputs would be assignable. No no bi-amp in 7.1.4 (2 channels unused). EQ is a throwback to the 1970's just two broad bass/treble sweeps (speaker pairs only). The az7000es recognizes my TV, Oppo, Dune HD and Sony 4K Blu-ray and I can switch inputs without a problem. It's hit and miss with my Cocktail X45 media player. I usually have to restart the X45 once or twice to connect (works perfectly with the Denon and I'm using all new high-speed HDMI cables). Auto Calibration is a bit clunky especially if you need a do over. Front panel/cover could use a hinge. I plan to keep the Sony and hope future firmware improves the unit.
Pros: Sound, Speaker Relocation feature
Cons: Front panel/cover, interface and lack of directions, EQ limitations
11 of 13 found this helpful
Sony ES STR-AZ7000ES
Marc from Columbia, MD on 1/25/2024
Picked up an open box unit with zero visible flaws at an excellent price. Have a set of B & W speakers I was looking to replace due to sound quality. The Sony replaced an older Denon 3806. WOW, never would have thought a receiver would impact sound quality that much. No longer looking at speaker replacements. Now getting everything out of the speaker B & W that they are known for. Setup was very easy and Sony's 3D mapping process was user friendly and just easy! Audio and media sound quality is amazing. Watching movies, the audio is incredibly "immersive".
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22 of 23 found this helpful
Brilliant Sights, Sound, Setup!
Bryan from East Lansing, MI on 9/10/2023
I originally purchased the AVR21 from Arcam. Love the picture and sound but had operational malfunctions. Swapped for AVR31 and that one had consistent HDMI handshake issues (but as with the AVR21, it sounded amazing). Although this Sony isn't as "audiophile" as either Arcam, with the 360 sound field engaged, it's VERY impressive for movies. So good, in fact, that I bought the Sony SA-RS5 rear speakers for back surrounds. OMG, movies have never sounded so immersive and just plain fun in my system. This thing has power to spare, never runs hot, and set-up, including auto-calibration is easy and fast. Great Bravia synergy with my Sony OLED TV and UHD player. Icing on the cake is there's been ZERO glitches. Probably the most plug-and-play receiver I've had to date (Marantz models also fit this description). It's more channels than I needed, but I got power to spare. Glad Sony's back in the ES game (now please make another ES-grade disc player!)
Pros: Easy to set up, easy to use Produces excellent video and audio Spatial sound mapping is a game-changer Doesn't run hot Isn't glitchy--no HDMI handshake issus Fast switching between inputs with no drops in audio
Cons: The screen display is small and absolutely not even close to readable unless you're within a foot or so of it.
38 of 41 found this helpful
Sony ES STR-AZ7000ES
Marc from Amherst, NH on 9/3/2023
Easy setup Sounds amazing Great home theater for an enveloping 7.1.6 surround experience Would definitely recommend
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10 of 12 found this helpful
Never leaving the house again
Douglas from Bayside, WI on 8/22/2023
I am enjoying this, so much, it's hard to concentrate on writing a review. Completely lost and immersed in audio (and video). The AZ7000 has deafening power in a 9.2.2 spread I have set up temporarily until I rotate my "theater" to a different wall. Then I'll try 7.2.4. I honestly believe I have saved money - as the need for a separate amplifier just doesn't seem to be here. My space TRULY sounds equal to or greater than any actual movie theater I have ever been in. I don't know how to explain - maybe it's like "being on drugs" - my brain is so happy with the sound - it's like an out of body experience. And also - a huge WOW(!) at Crutchfield - delivery in 2 days! If Crutchfield had all of life's needs, Amazon would be out of business. I will DEFINITELY purchase through Crutchfield a second time and more (this was my very first order). Maybe I WILL get an amp and bigger speakers, just to see if I can crack the foundation of my house.
Pros: Second HDMI zone out - running a computer to a flat screen TV while my main is dedicated to a UST Projector.
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28 of 28 found this helpful
Sony ES STR-AZ7000ES
Daniel from Beaumont, CA on 4/8/2023
It's not a surprise Sony is setting the bar even higher with this new unit. I have had many receivers in the past and this new unit blows a lot of the competition out of the water. Sony's high performance and high quality audio capabilities, have enhanced my system creating an almost theater like effect in my home. Overall, this high performing unit is a MUST have for those who are looking into the market and it will not disappoint. I am very satisfied I chose the Sony STR AZ7000ES and I 100% recommend it for future buyers.
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31 of 32 found this helpful
Sony ES STR-AZ7000ES
Van from Athens, AL on 3/23/2023
Setup was fairly straight forward once I got it hoisted into the rack. The weight of the unit is substantial as is its output. Utilized Easy Setup to calibrate and get thing going. First movie was Top Gun Maverick.kicking in 13 channels added new enjoyment to the flight scenes!
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18 of 25 found this helpful
Long Awaited
Chewbaccabra from Tacoma, WA on 3/20/2023
I've been waiting for a long time for a new Sony ES AVR with 4K. Happy with it so far. This replaces a Sony STR-DA5300. It was a bit of effort to setup. I've got a 5.1 speaker setup. I have CATV, UHD Blu-ray, PS5, XBSX, and NX for input. It took some searching through menus to setup the Bi-Amp for the front channels, the eARC audio from the TV, the VRR for the game consoles, and to configure the web browser interface. The web browser interface provides more options than the onscreen interface but it isn't always available for reasons that I don't understand. My TV (Sony XR-A90J) can control a list of Sony AVRs but the STR-AZ7000ES is not on the list. The inputs and the buttons on the remote buttons are labeled (GAME, MEDIA BOX, DB/DVD, SAT/CATV, VIDEO, AUX) instead of numbered (INPUT 1, INPUT 2, ...) which doesn't map to my components and triggers my OCD. Watched the Hobbit trilogy in 4k at volumes loud enough for the neighbors to complain. Streamed Pandora from my phone via Bluetooth. Watched Netflix with my TV (Sony XR-A90J) as the source. They all sounded great. There's a strange reproducible issue where I turn of the TV while watching CATV and everything shuts off. Then, after few minutes later, the AVR will turn back on and play audio from the CATV source for about a minute and then shut off again. That issue used to happen with my old Sony STR-DA5300. I would really like that to stop. I'm hoping there's a good software update coming soon.
Pros: Good integration with other Sony devices. Bluetooth. Bi-Amp. eARC.
Cons: The remote isn't backlit. The inputs are labeled instead of numbered. TV won't control the AVR. Issue with CATV audio turning on after TV turned off.
37 of 39 found this helpful
Excellent Well Featured Reciever
Richard from Simi Valley, CA on 3/20/2023
The new Sony ES STR-7000ES is a dynamite receiver. A feature rich receiver with one exception. This $3,300.00 receiver lacks phone input ports. Why Sony did not bother incorporating these RCA phono jacks into this expensive receiver is beyond me especially with the new wave of turntable users.
Pros: Overall an excellent receiver.
Cons: No Phono Jacks. You will need a pre-amp for your turntable
27 of 30 found this helpful
I wanted to love this Sony ES STR-AZ7000ES
Edmund from Bowie, MD on 3/14/2023
This Sony ES Flagship has quite a few things going for it. It comes equipped with more powered channels and processing than the competition, and the GUI is modern and intuitive. The receiver excels when it uses Sony's spacial audio mapping tech to decode multi-channel surround and delivered the goods with two-channel sources, albeit without an up-mixer active. I was pleased with the sound, particularly for multiple-channel listening, but the AVR falls short in some unexpected areas. While it's great that the Sony has four 8k/4k120 HDMI ports, other flagships at the price point use all 8k/4k120, I don't know if the color, font size, or brightness, but I noticed the screen is unreadable beyond 3 feet. I also had some issues with inconsistent calibration errors during the initial setup; lastly, while the Sony remote is functional, it does look cheap and does not include a backlight which you can expect from other flagships, i.e., Marantz. While I wanted to love this Sony flagship, it would not up-mix my two-channel music sources using its spacial mapping tech to all my speakers was a deal-breaker. Additionally, the lackluster screen couldn't have been more frustrating.
Pros: power per channel multi-channel accuracy 13 channel processing
Cons: Limited screen size and readability Cheap remote Not all HDMI connections are HDMI 2.1 It does not support discrete multi subs Only equipped with two HDMI outputs
67 of 78 found this helpful
