Sony STR-AZ1000ES
7.2 Channel 8K AV Receiver w/ HDMI 2.1, HDR, WiFi, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, & Apple Airplay
Elevate your home theater standards with Sony’s 7.2 CH 8K AV Receiver featuring renowned ES quality. Designed for integrators with optimized configurability, flexible connectivity, and advanced IP control for leading control systems. The STR-AZ1000ES is the total package for audio/visual performance and installation friendly features.
High Notes

Great User Modes for Real World Homes
Not everyone can put their speakers in the perfect position. Sony ES has you covered with a front in-ceiling mode that will help move the sound down if you need to use in-ceiling speakers. Their phantom rear mode also does an excellent job of simulating rear surrounds if you do not have a spot for them.

Incredible Surround Sound Effects
We have never seen a receiver ask for so much information about the distances in your room. You'll input your ear height, screen height, and ceiling height the normal distance you are from each speaker, but also the distance each speaker is from the screen and from the floor. All of this allows the Sony processor to do an incredible job placing surround effects all around you for immersion you have to hear to believe.

5 Year ES Warranty
Sony ES receivers are truly built like tanks and the 5-year parts and labor warranty says it all.
Sony STR-AZ1000ES 7.2 CH 8K A/V Receiver
At Audio Advice, we have always liked the entry-level Sony ES receiver model as it packs in a lot for the money and sounds very good. The new STR-AZ1000ES follows in those same footsteps. It has 7 powered channels with several possible configs for channels 6 and 7. They can be your surround backs, your height channels, a powered zone 3, or can be used to biamp the fronts. That is pretty darn flexible! You also have preamp outs for zone 2 and 3 as well.
For HDMI there are 2 connectors that support 8k and 4k/120 and 4 others for 4K. You get two HDMI outs with the main having eARC and the other for zone 2. Other inputs are a single Coax and Toslink digital with three analog audio inputs. Two of these have composite video you can link with them, but the unit does not upconvert this to HDMI so you would need to use the video out to go to a composite video input on your TV for old VCRs and such.
The AZ1000 will be a great receiver for a lot of systems and we see this one being used the most to take advantage of the ability all of them have to add the wireless Sony surround speakers. We should point out it does not have any expansion capability as there are no preamp outputs.

Sony ES Receiver Audio Features
First, we like the fact all of these are rated with the FTC power spec for both channels driven from 20-20,000 Hz at a low distortion number. Sony has made the jumps from each model very logical with the AZ1000ES starting out at 7 powered channels and maxing out a whopping 13 powered channels for the AZ7000ES.
All four have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay 2. Google Assistant works with them all and they all now have the “Works with Sonos” official certification for seamless integration with a Sonos whole house music system.
You can set them up using a web interface, the great on-screen display, or just the front panel.
For immersive surround they all support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. To help those who may not want to run cables for some speakers, they all support adding Sony’s wireless SA-RS3S and SA-RS5 Wireless Surround Speakers, as well as SA-SW3 & SASW5 Wireless Subwoofers. While we feel you would much prefer to add speakers that match your main brand of speakers, this is a pretty cool option for apartments or living spaces where it is impossible to run wiring for surrounds and you could use either of the wireless surround speaker options to at least get more immersion than you would without them.
In that same vein, they also all let you use the speakers in a compatible Sony TV for your center channel. We would not really recommend this unless you do not have any space for a true center channel speaker.
They also all have a phantom rear speaker mode that you can turn on to simulate rear speakers. This is not a simulation of your main surrounds, but the rears in a 7-channel bed layer system.
Another neat feature Sony receivers have had for a while is an adjustment if your fronts, center, or both are in the ceiling. This uses DSP to pull the image down so it sounds less like an in-ceiling speaker.
Finally, they all have a new feature called center channel lift. You will need to have both front heights turned on for this, but once we thought about this one, it's another reason all those distance measurements make perfect sense. Our favorite home theater systems have the center speaker directly behind an acoustically transparent screen so the voices sound like they are coming right out of the screen but most people have to place their center speaker under the TV or screen. When you turn on the center channel lift it will use both your center channel and front height speakers to effectively move the center channel image up higher. More on how this actually worked in the performance section.

Sony ES Receiver Video Features
For video, you get 8K & 4K/120Hz HDMI Connectivity with HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3 with support for HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma, and IMAX Enhanced. Gamers will love that the 4K/120 inputs support ALLM and VRR for the best in low latency gaming.
The on-screen menu for setting up the inputs is a home theater geek's dream come true. It is a big grid that lets you assign video and audio to any input with the ability to create similar ones using the same video but different audio. This is cool for those of you who like to watch sports but hear the local announcer. They also have offset levels and default surround modes for each one. Plus you can store two configurations. You can take lip sync up to 300 milliseconds and assign this to each input as well. In another pretty neat touch, you can turn on or off the subwoofer for each input and even give it a 10db boost for that input if you wish.
Tips & Tricks: How To Perfectly Set Lip Sync Calibration In Your Home Theater
Then you’ll get to the speaker settings which is by far the best setup we have seen. Here is where you will be scratching your head wondering why you have to input all these numbers. Like all home theater receivers, you input the distance from your speakers to your main listening position. Then, you jump to another screen where you input the speaker distance from the screen. Next, you go to another setting where you input the distance each speaker is from the floor. You also input the distance your ears are from the floor and the ceiling height of your room. All this extra data allows Sony’s Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to work more precisely. In theory, this should allow them to better place the immersive objects within the surround field.
Another thing we love in the interface is the visual graphics under the speaker pattern section. With all of the possible speakers out there that can be used for height and surrounds, menus can get confusing when you have to choose the type without a visual reference. With these models, Sony makes it perfectly clear whether you have an in-ceiling speaker, an upward-firing speaker, or a free-standing speaker mounted on the ceiling aimed at the listening area. The menu lets you set up any possible combination of these. This just takes away any possible confusion, which is great!
Elevated sound quality and powerful amplification
With 100 watts, the STR-AZ1000ES delivers cinema-like surround sound and crystal-clear music reproduction with powerful amplification.
8K and 4K/120 HDMI Connectivity
Enjoy the latest HDMI technology with support for 8K and 4K/120 video sources. Equipped with four 8K HDMI inputs and two outputs, the STR-AZ1000ES is capable of delivering the most stunning picture quality and amazing clarity.
Support for the most advanced object-based audio formats
With support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Speaker Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual: X, and DTS: X Pro, the STR-AZ1000ES delivers a truly elevated object-based surround-sound experience.
360 Spatial Sound Mapping
Experience true immersion. Sony’s exclusive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology reproduces a physical sound field that can adapt to your environment and create an experience that feels like a large movie theater or concert hall.
Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX
A new technology developed by Sony, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX precisely corrects the distance, angle, sound pressure, and frequency response of each speaker that’s connected to the STR-AZ1000ES to create the ideal sound field for any home theater setup.
Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Hybrid Log Gamma, and IMAX Enhanced
Enjoy dynamic, realistic picture quality with support for the leading HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma, and IMAX Enhanced.
“Works with SONOS”
From the SONOS app you will be able to turn on your A/V Receiver, switch to the designated input source for playback, and control the volume of your A/V Receiver.
Easy Listening
Listen to all your favorite tracks. The STR-AZ1000ES supports audio streaming via Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay.
Voice Assistant Compatibility
Connect to your home’s other devices, and use voice control to operate your receiver with Google Assistant.
Roon Tested
Enjoy seamless integration with your Roon system for full access to all your music—including your digital files and streaming services—all in one place.
Compatible with Sony Music Center app
Control the STR-AZ1000ES from your mobile device for operations like source selection, zone control, sound field control, volume control, media playback, and voice assistant setup.
Center Speaker Lift Up and Acoustic Center Sync
Enhance your sound multiple ways: Center Speaker Lift Up raises the sound from the center speaker to match what’s on the TV, Acoustic Center Sync matches the audio to your compatible BRAVIA TV.
Support for integration with leading home control systems
With support for the leading control and remote monitoring systems like Control4, Savant, Crestron, and OvrC, the STR-AZ1000ES is built for integration.
Flexible setup options
Installing the STR-AZ1000ES is easy. Setup can be performed either via the front panel or through the onscreen Graphical User Interface (GUI).
USB Front Input with settings save option
Using the front mounted USB, you can easily apply system updates and during setup, save all receiver settings to a flash drive for backing up and porting over to another unit to replicate settings.
RS232C Port
RS232C port for control system configuration.
Zone 2 and Zone 3
Flexible multi-zone distribution capability.
Go Wireless
Sony’s SA-RS3S and SA-RS5 wireless rear speakers and SA-SW3 and SA-SW5 wireless subwoofers are compatible with the STR-AZ1000ES. Two subwoofers of the same model may be connected simultaneously to the receiver.
DSEE Ultimate
Using AI-based technology, DSEE Ultimate accurately upscales audio to near-high-resolution sound quality.
HDMI 2.1
While enabling higher quality video output and reduced latency from input devices like game consoles, HDMI 2.1 also provides support for Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
6 HDMI Inputs/2 Outputs
The STR-AZ1000ES has six HDMI inputs with two inputs supporting full 8K and 4K/120 video sources, and two HDMI outputs that also support full 8K and 4K/120 video sources.
Chassis and sub-chassis
With the addition of a sub-chassis structure on the rear of the front panel, the rigidity of the receiver is increased. This results in a further reduction of vibration and improved sound quality overall.
Power Supply Capacitors
The newly designed power supply capacitors, developed by Sony, improve stability and achieve superior sound quality.
New Large Capacity Power Transformer
The redesigned power transformer also features a new core material and bobbin to lower distortion and improve sound quality.
Redeveloped digital section
The digital section enables all signal processing to be performed on a single chip while also providing lower impedance, increased capacitance, and better stability.
New DAC enables 32-bit operations
Digital PCM signal input is processed at 32-bit and converted to analog by the DAC, while DSD signal input during direct mode is natively input to the DAC and converted to an analog signal.
Improved analog power for DAC
The DAC analog power supply uses a low-noise power supply IC to ensure that hi-fidelity performance is achieved.
Buffer amp for DAC
A new DAC analog output filter circuit was designed utilizing a JFET and op-amp improvement in noise floor. The phase rotation was shifted to a higher frequency, expanding the bandwidth and improving sound clarity for wide-bandwidth sources like high-resolution audio.
Sony exclusive Pre-Amp integrated circuit
A Sony-exclusive integrated circuit was developed to improve all amplification functions of the STR-AZ1000ES. The pre-amp is independently connected to each individual amplifier channel, improving channel separation and reducing internal interference over more traditional cascading designs.
Hi-Res Audio and 360 Reality Audio
Enjoy music the way the artists truly intended with High-Resolution Audio for crystal clear precision or discover a new way of listening with 360 Reality Audio for a truly immersive live concert or studio session experience. With the STR-AZ1000ES, your music comes to life like never before.
Covered by the Sony ES 5-Year Limited Warranty
All ES-Series receivers come with a 5-year parts and labor warranty, and dedicated toll-free support staffed by trained product experts.
(1-877-619-7669); Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. ET
Model | STR-AZ1000ES | |
---|---|---|
Video Input | HDMI (Front) | 6(0) |
HDCP2.2 (Front) | 6(0) | |
HDMI Input supporting HDCP2.2(Front) | 6(0) | |
HDCP2.2 (Front/Rear) | 0/6 | |
Composite (Front) | 2(0) | |
Video Output | HDMI | 2 |
HDCP2.2 | 2 | |
HDMI Output supporting HDCP2.2 | 2 | |
Composite Monitor Out | 1 | |
Audio Input | Opt | 1 |
Coax. | 1 | |
Analog Audio In | 4 | |
Audio Output | Headphone Out | Yes |
Pre Out (Subwoofer) | 2 | |
S-Center out | Yes | |
Input/Output Others | Bluetooth Receiver | Yes |
Bluetooth Transmitter | Yes | |
Wi-Fi | Yes | |
USB | 1 | |
USB Front(ver) / Rear(ver) | 1/0 | |
Ethernet Port (Power over Ethernet) | 1(0) | |
Ethernet Port (Power over Ethernet Plus) | 1(0) | |
Wireless speakers option | Yes | |
Speaker Out | Front A | Yes |
Center | Yes | |
Surround | Yes | |
Surround Back/Height(Front B/Bi-AMP/Zone 3) | Yes | |
Output Power | Number of amp. channels | 7ch |
Front | 100W + 100W (8ohms, 1kHz, THD 0.9%) | |
Center | 100W (8ohms, 1kHz, THD 0.9%) | |
Surround | 100W + 100W (8ohms, 1kHz, THD 0.9%) | |
Surround Back | 100W + 100W (8ohms, 1kHz, THD 0.9%) | |
Speaker Impedance | 6ohms-16ohms | |
Frequency Characteristics | 10Hz-100kHz ±3dB | |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio(A Network)(When all of EQ/Surround off) | 105dB(Analog In) | |
Audio Features | Decodable channel number | 7.1ch |
OP processing | Yes | |
Sub Woofer Low Pass Filter | Yes | |
Cross Over Frequency | 17 points(40-200Hz) | |
Speaker Selector | A/B/A+B/OFF | |
Speaker Terminal Type | Screw | |
Pure Direct | Yes | |
DSD Native Playback | Yes | |
360 Spatial sound mapping | Yes | |
Center Speaker Lift Up | Yes | |
Acoustic Center Sync | Yes | |
In-Ceiling Speaker Mode | Yes | |
A/V SYNC | Yes(Variable) | |
A/V Sync Time/Sampling Frequency | 0-300msec | |
DSEE Ultimate | Yes | |
High Resolution Audio | Yes | |
High Resolution Audio Wireless | Yes | |
360 Reality Audio | Yes | |
DCAC Features | D.C.A.C. IX / D.C.A.C. EX / Advanced D.C.A.C. / D.C.A.C. | D.C.A.C. IX |
Speaker Relocation | Yes | |
Phantom Surround Back | Yes | |
Automatic Phase Matching | Yes | |
Calibration Mic | Stereo | |
EQ for D.C.A.C | 31band GEQ | |
Tone Control | Front (Bass / Treble) | Yes |
Center (Bass / Treble) | Yes | |
Surround (Bass / Treble) | Yes(Common with Surround Back) | |
Surround Back (Bass / Treble) | Yes(Common with Surround) | |
Height1 | Yes | |
Sound Field | 2ch Stereo | Yes |
Direct | Yes | |
Dolby Mode | Yes | |
DTS:X Mode | Yes | |
Auto Format Decoding for Movie | Yes | |
Auto Format Decoding | Yes | |
Multi Stereo | Yes | |
Audio Enhancer | Yes | |
Headphone 2ch | Yes | |
Tuner | FM/AM | Yes/- |
Preset Channel (FM/AM) | TTL30 (30/0) | |
Station Name | Yes | |
Auto Tuning | Yes | |
Direct Tuning | Yes | |
Decoding Formats | DSD | Yes (Up to 2.8MHz 5.1ch) |
LPCM | Yes (Up to 192kHz/24 bit 7.1ch) | |
LPCM 96kHz/24bit | Yes | |
LPCM 192kHz/24bit | Yes | |
DTS HD MA / DTS HD HR | Yes/Yes | |
Dolby TrueHD/Dolby Digital Plus | Yes/Yes | |
DTS / DTS-ES (Matrix6.1 / Discrete6.1) | Yes/Yes | |
Dolby Digital EX / Dolby Digital | Yes/Yes | |
DTS 96/24 | Yes | |
DTS:X | Yes | |
Dolby Dual Mono | Yes | |
Dolby Atmos | Yes | |
Video Features | HDMI Video Output capability | 8K, 4K, 1080p, 1080/24p, Deep Color (up to 36 bit), Triluminous Color (xvYCC) |
8K 60 Support | Yes(GAME, MEDIA BOX) | |
4K 120 support | Yes(GAME, MEDIA BOX) | |
4K 60p 4:4:4 Support | Yes | |
Video Up Scaler | Yes(2K24/50/60p, 4K24/50/60p, up to 8K) | |
3D over HDMI | Yes | |
HDR | Yes(HDR10, Hybrid Log Gamma, Dolby Vision) | |
IMAX Enhanced | Yes | |
Audio Features | Audio Return Channel | Yes |
eARC | Yes | |
ARC without CEC control | Yes | |
Others | BRAVIA® SYNC™ (CEC Control) | Yes (System Audio Control, System Power Off, RC Pass Through, Language Follow, One-Touch Play) |
Standby Through | Yes | |
Audio Widget | Yes | |
AUTO HDR TONE MAPPING COMPATIBLE (PASS-THROUGH) | Yes | |
AUTO GENRE PICTURE MODE COMPATIBLE (PASS-THROUGH) | Yes | |
USB Mass Storage | Interface | Yes |
DSD | Yes (11.2MHz 2ch, 5.6MHz 5.1ch) | |
LPCM | Yes | |
DSDIFF(DSD) | Yes | |
DSF | Yes | |
WAV(LPCM) | Yes | |
AIFF(LPCM) | Yes | |
FLAC | Yes | |
ALAC | Yes | |
WMA | Yes | |
MP3 | Yes | |
AAC | Yes | |
Walkman Connectivity | Music/Video/Photo | Yes/-/- |
Network Features | Network Player/Renderer | -/Yes |
DSD | Yes (11.2MHz 2ch, 5.6MHz 5.1ch) | |
LPCM | Yes | |
DSDIFF(DSD) | Yes | |
DSF | Yes | |
WAV(LPCM) | Yes | |
AIFF(LPCM) | Yes | |
FLAC | Yes | |
ALAC | Yes | |
WMA | Yes | |
MP3 | Yes | |
Network Renderer | Yes | |
DLNA Party Streaming | Yes | |
AirPlay2 | Yes | |
Spotify Connect | Yes | |
Music Center compatible | Yes | |
Music Center compatible models with iPod/iPhone/iPad | Yes | |
SongPal Link | Yes | |
Chromecast built-in | Yes | |
Works with the Google Assistant | Yes | |
Works with SONOS | Yes | |
Roon tested | Yes | |
Zone Features | 2nd A | HDMI(Fixed) |
2nd V | HDMI | |
3rd A | Speaker(Variable) / Line (Variable, Fixed) | |
Multi Zone Line Out Level Control (Zone2/Zone3) | Yes(-/Yes) | |
Digital Audio D/A distribution to Zone | Yes(Zone3 Source) | |
Coaxial/Opt Audio D/A distribution to Zone | Yes(Zone3 Source) | |
HDMI Audio for Zone Down Mix | Yes for Source | |
Control Features | IR Repeat (In/Out) | Yes(1/1) |
RS-232C for control | Yes | |
CIS IP Control | Yes | |
12V Trigger | 0 | |
Controller Connectivity | Certification (Crestron/Control4/Savant) | Yes/Yes/Yes |
SDDP(Control4) | Yes | |
Certification (AMX/Crestron/Control4) | No/Yes/Yes | |
Crestron Connected | Yes | |
OvrC (Control4) | Yes | |
Domotz | Yes | |
Josh AI | Yes | |
System Setting | Setting Save / Load by USB | Yes |
Setting Lock | Yes | |
UI | GUI | Yes |
GUI Blending | Yes | |
GUI Language | EN/FR/ES/DE/JP | |
Easy Setup Wizard | Yes | |
Customize Features | Custom Preset (Easy Automation) | Yes |
Input Assign (HDMI/Component/Opt/Coax) | Yes(-/-/Yes/Yes) | |
General | Pin Jack | Nickel |
Heat Sink | Aluminum(Corrugated) | |
Detachable AC | Yes | |
Power Requirement | 120V 60Hz | |
Power Consumption | 240W | |
Power Consumption(Standby) | 0.5W | |
Power Consumption(Network/BLUETOOTH Standby) | 3.5W | |
Auto Standby | Yes | |
Remote Commander | RMT-AA511U | |
Attachment | Calibration microphone, Calibration mic stand, FM wire antenna, AC power cord, Remote control, R03 (size-AAA) batteries | |
System Update (Internet/USB/PC) | Yes(Yes/Yes/-) | |
Weight and Measurements | Receiver Dimension(WxHxD mm) | 430x156x331mm |
Receiver Dimension(WxHxD inches) | 17x6 1/4 x13 1/8in | |
Receiver Weight(kg) | 9.3kg | |
Receiver Weight(pound) | 20lb 9oz | |
Carton Dimensions (WxHxD mm) | 527 x 270 x 416 mm | |
Carton Dimensions (WxHxD inches) | 20 3/4 x 10 5/8 x 16 3/8 in | |
Gross Weight(kg) | 12.3kg | |
Gross Weight(lbs) | 27lb 2oz |
UPC | 027242924048 |
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