Upgrading your home theater can be overwhelming, especially when comparing two excellent options like the $599 Denon AVR-S970H and $598 Sony STR-AN1000. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your setup.
AV receivers are essentially the command center of your home theater system. They handle everything from processing audio signals and powering your speakers to switching between video sources and managing your streaming services. In recent years, they've become even more critical as home theaters have grown more complex.
The most important features to consider are:
Both the Denon AVR-S970H (released 2022) and Sony STR-AN1000 (released 2023) represent the latest generation of receivers with HDMI 2.1 support. This means they can handle 8K video and 4K at 120Hz - crucial for latest-gen gaming consoles. They also both support variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM), which help provide smoother, lag-free gaming experiences.
The Denon delivers 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms, while the Sony provides 100 watts per channel into 6 ohms. In real-world usage, this difference is minimal - both have plenty of power for most home theaters.
Where they differ significantly is in their audio processing approaches:
The Denon uses Audyssey MultEQ room correction, which is considered one of the best systems for dealing with room acoustics. It measures how your speakers sound in your specific room and adjusts the audio accordingly to provide optimal sound.
The Sony introduces some innovative features like 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, which creates virtual speakers to fill in sonic gaps in your setup. While this sounds gimmicky, it actually works surprisingly well in practice, especially in rooms where ideal speaker placement isn't possible.
Both receivers are extremely capable on the video front, supporting:
The Denon has a slight edge by including HDR10+ support, which offers scene-by-scene HDR adjustment for compatible content. However, this format isn't as widely used as Dolby Vision, which both units support.
Here's where we see some significant differences:
The Denon AVR-S970H uses the HEOS platform, which allows for easy multi-room audio setup with other HEOS devices. It works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and includes AirPlay 2 support.
The Sony STR-AN1000 leans heavily into the Google ecosystem with Chromecast built-in and Google Assistant support. It also offers Sony's 360 Reality Audio format, which can provide an impressive immersive experience with compatible content.
In practical use, both receivers excel at their core functions. The Denon tends to provide a slightly warmer, more traditional audiophile-friendly sound, while the Sony offers a more modern, feature-rich experience.
For movie watching, the Denon's Audyssey room correction gives it a slight edge in achieving precise, theater-like sound. However, the Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping can create an impressive sense of immersion, especially in less-than-ideal room setups.
For music listening, both perform admirably, though they take different approaches. The Denon provides a more purist experience, especially with its phono input for turntables. The Sony excels at streaming integration and offers more advanced digital processing options.
Both receivers offer guided setup procedures, but they differ in approach:
The Denon's setup assistant is straightforward but somewhat basic in appearance. The room correction process is thorough but can take some time to complete properly.
The Sony features a more modern, graphical interface and generally feels more user-friendly. However, its advanced features like 360 Spatial Sound Mapping require additional setup time to optimize.
At essentially the same price point, both receivers offer excellent value but for slightly different users:
The Denon provides:
The Sony offers:
Choose the Denon AVR-S970H if:
Choose the Sony STR-AN1000 if:
Both receivers represent excellent choices in their price range, and either will serve well as the heart of a modern home theater system. The main decision points come down to whether you prefer Denon's more traditional, audio-focused approach or Sony's more innovative, feature-rich direction.
Remember that both units will require proper speaker placement and setup to achieve their best performance. Take time to properly calibrate whichever unit you choose, and you'll be rewarded with excellent home theater performance for years to come.
| $599 Denon AVR-S970H | $598 Sony STR-AN1000 |
|---|---|
| Power Output - Determines speaker driving capability and room size suitability | |
| 90W per channel (8 ohms) - Better for most speakers | 100W per channel (6 ohms) - Similar real-world performance |
| Room Correction - Critical for optimal sound in imperfect rooms | |
| Audyssey MultEQ - Industry leading, more precise | Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX - Good but less sophisticated |
| HDR Support - Affects picture quality with compatible TVs | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision - Complete suite | HDR10, Dolby Vision (No HDR10+) - Still covers most content |
| Smart Assistant Integration - Important for voice control | |
| Alexa and Google Assistant - More flexible | Google Assistant only - Limited but works well |
| Streaming Platform - Affects whole-home audio capability | |
| HEOS - Mature but limited ecosystem | Chromecast + 360 Reality Audio - More widespread compatibility |
| Special Features - Unique capabilities that may matter to specific users | |
| Phono input for turntables, superior room correction | 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, better GUI, superior multi-zone |
| HDMI Ports - Determines how many devices you can connect | |
| 6 in (3 8K), 2 out - Plenty for most setups | 6 in (2 8K), 3 out - Extra output useful for multiple displays |
| Gaming Features - Critical for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, QFT - Complete suite | 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM - All essential features covered |
The $599 Denon AVR-S970H has a slight edge for pure home theater use due to its superior Audyssey room correction and more accurate sound processing. However, the $598 Sony STR-AN1000 offers innovative features like 360 Spatial Sound Mapping that can enhance the experience in imperfect room setups.
Yes, both receivers fully support next-gen gaming features including 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. The Denon AVR-S970H offers three 8K inputs while the Sony STR-AN1000 has two, but both will handle any current gaming console perfectly.
Both offer excellent sound quality, but they have different characteristics. The Denon AVR-S970H provides a warmer, more traditional audiophile sound, while the Sony STR-AN1000 offers a more modern, processed sound with additional virtual speaker capabilities.
Yes, both receivers fully support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive surround sound. They can process 7.2 channels with height virtualization for a more encompassing sound experience.
The Sony STR-AN1000 has an edge with Chromecast built-in and 360 Reality Audio support. The Denon AVR-S970H uses HEOS, which works well but has a more limited ecosystem.
For 4K/120Hz or 8K content, you'll need HDMI 2.1 cables (Ultra High Speed HDMI) with either receiver. Standard HDMI cables work fine for regular 4K/60Hz content.
The Sony STR-AN1000 has a more modern, user-friendly interface. The Denon AVR-S970H setup is straightforward but less graphically advanced. Both offer guided setup procedures.
The Denon AVR-S970H includes a phono input for direct turntable connection. The Sony STR-AN1000 requires an external phono preamp for turntable use.
Yes, both receivers support 8K/60Hz passthrough and upscaling. The Denon AVR-S970H has three 8K inputs, while the Sony STR-AN1000 has two.
The Denon AVR-S970H works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, offering more flexibility. The Sony STR-AN1000 only works with Google Assistant but integrates well with other Sony products.
Both receivers feature HDMI 2.1 and support current video formats including 8K, making them future-proof for several years. Their firmware can be updated to add new features and compatibility.
No, both the Denon AVR-S970H and Sony STR-AN1000 work perfectly with 4K and 1080p TVs. The 8K capability is just future-proofing and isn't necessary for current use.
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: audioadvisor.com - listenup.com - audioadvice.com - abt.com - bestbuy.com - adorama.com - snapav.com - crutchfield.com - gibbyselectronicsupermarket.ca - skybygramophone.com - denon.com - manuals.denon.com - tomsguide.com - electronics.sony.com - klarna.com - crutchfield.com - cnet.com - skybygramophone.com - bestbuy.com - sony.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - youtube.com - us.community.sony.com - sony-asia.com
