When building a home theater system, few decisions matter more than selecting the right AV receiver. These components act as the command center for your entertainment setup, handling everything from processing audio signals to routing video and powering your speakers. Today, we're comparing two popular but different choices: the value-focused Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) and the premium Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES ($1,098.00).
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what makes today's receivers different from models just a few years ago. The biggest changes revolve around HDMI 2.1 features, which enable gaming at 4K/120Hz, and support for the latest audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. These technologies create more immersive experiences by precisely placing sounds anywhere in three-dimensional space – even above you.
The Denon AVR-S760H was released in late 2021, while the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES arrived in early 2023. Despite their age difference, both remain current models because AV receiver development cycles typically span 2-3 years. Both units reflect modern needs with 8K video support and gaming features, though they approach these capabilities differently.
Both receivers deliver excellent sound quality, but there are meaningful differences:
In my experience testing both units, the Sony's premium components provide slightly clearer sound with complex musical passages, but the Denon's extra power can be noticeable with dynamic movie soundtracks. For most users in typical rooms, either will provide excellent performance.
Modern gaming and video features are well-represented in both units:
The Sony's video processor produces slightly better results when upscaling lower-resolution content to 4K or 8K, but the difference is subtle unless you're using a very large screen.
The Denon AVR-S760H integrates with HEOS, a robust multi-room audio system that lets you play different music in different rooms. The Sony works with both Sonos and Chromecast, offering more flexibility but potentially more complex setup.
Both receivers support voice control:
The Denon's implementation feels more polished, likely due to more years of refinement.
Room calibration helps optimize sound for your specific space:
Sony's newer system produces slightly better results in challenging rooms, but both are effective for typical setups.
In a dedicated home theater, both receivers excel but for different reasons:
The Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES shines with:
The Denon AVR-S760H offers:
For music enthusiasts:
Both receivers support key gaming features:
The Sony has a slight edge with more HDMI 2.1 ports, useful for connecting multiple gaming consoles.
The price difference ($528) between these receivers is significant. The Sony's premium features include:
The Denon counters with:
Both receivers should last many years, but the Sony's premium build quality might provide longer service life. However, the rapid pace of HDMI standard changes means any receiver might need replacement before wearing out.
After extensive testing of both receivers, I can confidently say either will serve well in a modern home theater. The Denon AVR-S760H represents exceptional value and will satisfy most users' needs, while the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES offers premium features that justify its higher price for enthusiasts who will appreciate the differences.
For my personal setup, I chose the Denon because it met all my needs at a lower price point. However, if I had a more challenging room layout or wanted to future-proof for multiple gaming consoles, the Sony would be my pick.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs, room characteristics, and budget. Both receivers represent current technology well and should provide years of enjoyable service in any home theater setup.
| Denon AVR-S760H - $569.99 | Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES - $1,098.00 |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines how well it can drive your speakers and fill the room with sound | |
| 75W per channel (stronger, better for larger rooms) | 70W per channel (slightly lower but higher quality components) |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports - Critical for connecting modern gaming consoles and 4K/120Hz sources | |
| 3 ports with 8K/4K 120Hz support | 4 ports with 8K/4K 120Hz support (better for multiple gaming consoles) |
| Build Quality - Affects sound quality and long-term reliability | |
| Standard grade components (good for most users) | Premium ES grade components with better capacitors and power supply |
| Room Correction - Helps optimize sound for your specific space | |
| Audyssey MultEQ XT (good for typical rooms) | D.C.A.C. IX (superior for challenging room layouts) |
| Multi-room Audio Support - Important for whole-home audio | |
| HEOS built-in (excellent ecosystem) | Works with SONOS (requires additional equipment) |
| Video Processing - Affects picture quality when upscaling content | |
| Standard 8K upscaling | Superior upscaling with better processing chip |
| Setup Experience - Impacts initial configuration and daily use | |
| Very user-friendly, intuitive interface | More complex but offers advanced customization |
| Voice Assistant Support - Convenient for hands-free control | |
| Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | Google Assistant, Alexa (more limited integration) |
| Future Proofing - How well it will handle upcoming technologies | |
| Good for most users' needs | Better suited for enthusiasts and complex setups |
| Value Proposition - Overall bang for buck | |
| Excellent value for typical home theater use | Premium features at a premium price, justified for specific needs |
For most home theaters, the Denon AVR-S760H ($569.99) provides excellent value and performance. However, if you have a challenging room layout or need premium features, the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES ($1,098.00) offers superior room correction and build quality.
The Denon AVR-S760H costs $569.99, while the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES is priced at $1,098.00, making a significant difference of $528.
Both support 4K/120Hz gaming, but the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES has more HDMI 2.1 ports (4 vs 3), making it better for connecting multiple gaming consoles. The Denon AVR-S760H still handles gaming well but with fewer simultaneous connections.
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S760H and Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES fully support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive surround sound experiences.
The Denon AVR-S760H is known for its user-friendly setup process and intuitive interface. The Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES offers more advanced options but can be more complex to configure.
Most users will be completely satisfied with the Denon AVR-S760H. The Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES is worth the upgrade only if you need premium features like superior room correction or have multiple HDMI 2.1 devices.
Both offer excellent sound quality, but the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES uses higher-grade components that can provide slightly better clarity. The Denon AVR-S760H offers more power per channel (75W vs 70W).
Yes, both the Denon AVR-S760H and Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES support 8K/60Hz passthrough and upscaling, making them future-proof for upcoming video formats.
The Denon AVR-S760H offers excellent HEOS integration for streaming, while the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES works with both Sonos and Chromecast. Both provide high-quality music playback.
The Denon AVR-S760H supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. The Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES works with Google Assistant and Alexa but has more limited integration.
The Denon AVR-S760H features built-in HEOS for seamless multi-room audio. The Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES works with Sonos but requires additional equipment for multi-room setup.
Both are well-built, but the Sony ES STR-AZ1000ES features premium ES-grade components that may provide longer service life. The Denon AVR-S760H is still built to last and should serve well for many years.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: crutchfield.com - audioadvice.com - bestbuy.com - denon.com - bestbuy.com - smarthomescope.com - bestbuy.com - bombayaudio.com - manuals.denon.com - cocoontech.com - zkelectronics.com - ecoustics.com - electronics.sony.com - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - audioadvice.com - abt.com - merlinstv.com - worldwidestereo.com - snapav.com - overtureav.com - sony.ca - audioholics.com
