Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES

    75
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    USA and Canada
    Others

    Highlights

    • 7.2 Channels
    • 7.1 Channel Processing
    • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
    • Ethernet
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES was introduced in 2016. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/60p video signal.

    We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 75 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. 2016 Lineup
    4. Successor
    5. Audio Section
    6. Video Section
    7. Multi-zone Playback
    8. Inputs and Outputs
    9. Evaluation
    10. Specifications  

    Here is a history of the series, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the receivers.

    Evolution of the series
    Model Year Chann. Power Dolby Atmos DTS:X HDR10 HDR10+ Dolby Vision Pass. Price

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sony .

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES.

    PROs

    •   DSD via HDMI
    •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
    •   New HDCP Version
    •   USB Input
    •   RCA Pre-Outs
    •   Composite Video Inputs
    •   Component Video Inputs
    •   Ethernet
    •   3 Zones
    •   Analog Tuner

    CONs

    •   Low Power Output - 80 W
    •   No Front Wide Channel Support
    •   No Dolby Atmos
    •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    •   No DTS:X
    •   No IMAX Enhanced
    •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    •   No 360 Reality Audio
    •   No HDR10
    •   No HDR10+
    •   No Dolby Vision
    •   No eARC
    •   No 8K Passthrough
    •   No Wi-Fi
    •   No Bluetooth
    •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
    •   0 8K Input
    •   No Phono Input
    •   No Digital Radio
    •   No Pandora
    •   No Spotify
    •   No Tidal

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   7.1 Channel Processing
    •   6 HDMI Inputs
    •   3 HDMI Outputs
    •   RCA Line Inputs

    Sony 2016 Lineup

    In 2016 Sony released 6 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

    Sony 2016 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Immersive AudioHDRZones Price
    STR-ZA5000ES Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		9.2120 W11.111.2 D.C.A.C. EXDolby Atmos
    DTS:X    		HDR10
    Dolby Vision    		3
    STR-ZA3000ES Image cannot be found 7.280 W7.17.2 Advanced D.C.A.C.3
    STR-ZA2000ES Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.275 W7.1 Advanced D.C.A.C.3
    STR-ZA1000ES Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.270 W7.1 Advanced D.C.A.C.3
    STR-DN1070 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.2100 W7.1 Advanced D.C.A.C.HDR103
    STR-DH770 Image cannot be found
    Compare
    		7.290 W7.1 D.C.A.C.HDR101

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sony STR-ZA5000ES vs STR-ZA3000ES vs STR-ZA2000ES vs STR-ZA1000ES vs STR-DN1070 vs STR-DH770.

    Successor

    In 2017 Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES was replaced by Sony STR-ZA3100ES. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES and its successor.

    UPGRADES Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES
    More Channel Processing 9ch + Phantom 2ch vs 7.1
    Dolby Atmos up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels vs
    Dolby Surround Upmixer vs
    DTS:X up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels vs
    DTS Neural:X vs
    Calibration Microphone Stereo vs Mono
    Speaker Relocation vs
    HDR10 vs
    BT.2020 color space vs
    Dolby Vision vs
    HLG vs
    Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) vs
    More RCA Pre-Outs 9.2 vs 7.2
    Wider AM Frequency Range 530 kHz - 1710 kHz vs 531 kHz - 1602 kHz
    DOWNGRADES Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES
    Dolby Pro Logic vs PLIIx
    DTS Neo vs Neo:6
    Less Component Video Outputs vs 1

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES vs STR-ZA3100ES.

    Audio Section

    7 channel Amplifier

    Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels7.2
      Power Output80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Front Wide Channel Support
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Bi-amp Capability

      Speaker Configurations

      Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Configurations: Available configurations are:
      • 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES allows you to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.
      Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES
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      DECODING
      Dolby Atmos
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      Dolby Atmos Music
      Dolby TrueHD
      Dolby Digital Plus
      Dolby Surround Upmixer
      Dolby Pro Logic PLIIx
      Dolby Digital EX
      Surround EX
      DTS:X
      DTS Neural:X
      DTS Virtual:X
      DTS Neo Neo:6
      DTS-HD Master Audio
      DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
      DTS 96/24
      DTS Express
      DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
      IMAX Enhanced
      Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      360 Reality Audio

      Sound Processing

      • Digital Legato Linear: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES features Digital Legato Linear (D.L.L.) to play audio signals with high-quality sound. The D.L.L. function is a technology developed by Sony that allows low-quality digital and analog audio signals to be played with high-quality sound. This function is available for Linear PCM signals, as well as lossy compression audio formats and analog audio signals. It works when [2ch Stereo], [Direct], [A.F.D.] or [Multi Stereo] is selected.

      Room Calibration

      Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES comes with Advanced D.C.A.C. room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

        Video Section

        HDMI

        Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES features 6 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs: 1 Main and 1 Sub/Zone2.

        • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4) video signal.
        • 4K Upscaling: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES can upscale up to 4K/60p from HDMI sources.
        • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: 2 inputs and 2 outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
        • 3D Ready: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.
        Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES
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        VIDEO FEATURES
        HDR10
        HDR10+
        Dynamic HDR
        BT.2020 color space
        Dolby Vision
        HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
        HDBaseT Compatible
        Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
        HDCP Version2.2 (2 inputs / 2 outputs)
        QMS (Quick Media Switching)
        ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
        VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
        QFT (Quick Frame transport)
        3-D Ready
        Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
        Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/60p

        Multi-zone Playback

        Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 3 different rooms.


        Zone 2

        • Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
        • HDMI Output: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES offers HDMI output for Zone 2. This means that it can send two different HDMI signals to two displays.
        • Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.
        • Composite Video Output: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES has analog Composite Video output for Zone 2. This means that it can send a different video signal to the TV.

        Zone 3

        • Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 3 amplifier.
        ZONES
        Number of Zones3
        Powered Zones 2
        Zone 2 OutsHDMI, Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out
        Zone 3 OutsRCA Pre/Line Out
        RS-232C Interface
        +12V Trigger Output3 (80 mA)
        Remote (IR) Input/Output1 / 2
        >

        Inputs and Outputs

        Audio

        • Analog Pre-Outs: Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES has 7.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the a/v receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the a/v receiver to power the rest.
        • Analog Line Inputs: There are 4 line inputs for analog audio connection.
        • Digital Inputs: 2 optical inputs and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.

        Video

        • HDMI:
        • Inputs: 6 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
          8K Inputs: 0
        • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
        • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1
        • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one.
        • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

        Front A/V Inputs

        • HDMI, USB
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        TERMINALS
        HDMI Inputs6 (1 front)
        HDMI Outputs2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
        8K Inputs
        USB Input1 (Front) for update and setting
        USB DC Out Port
        Optical Inputs2
        Optical Outputs
        Coaxial Inputs1
        RCA Line Inputs4
        RCA Line Outputs
        XLR Line Inputs
        Phono Input
        Multi-Channel Input
        RCA Pre-Outs7.2
        XLR Pre-outs
        Composite Video Inputs2
        Composite Video Outputs1
        S-Video Inputs
        S-Video Outputs
        Component Video Inputs2
        Component Video Outputs1

        Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES Evaluation

        We evaluate Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES and give score of 75 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


        OVERALL
        75

        Amplifier

        GOOD
        80

        We give Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES a score of 80 for Amplifier features.

        •   7.2 Channels
        •   Low Power Output - 80 W

        Audio Features

        AVERAGE
        68

        We give Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES a score of 68 for Audio Features features.

        •   7.2 Channels
        •   No Front Wide Channel Support
        •   7.1 Channel Processing
        •   No Dolby Atmos
        •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
        •   No DTS:X
        •   No IMAX Enhanced
        •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        •   No 360 Reality Audio
        •   DSD via HDMI

        Video Features

        GOOD
        73

        We give Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES a score of 73 for Video Features features.

        •   No HDR10
        •   No HDR10+
        •   No Dolby Vision
        •   No 8K Passthrough

        Connectivity

        GOOD
        74

        We give Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES a score of 74 for Connectivity features.

        •   No eARC
        •   New HDCP Version
        •   No Wi-Fi
        •   No Bluetooth
        •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
        •   6 HDMI Inputs
        •   3 HDMI Outputs
        •   0 8K Input
        •   USB Input
        •   RCA Line Inputs
        •   No Phono Input
        •   RCA Pre-Outs
        •   Composite Video Inputs
        •   Component Video Inputs
        •   Ethernet

        Zones

        EXCELLENT
        90

        We give Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES a score of 90 for Zones features.

        •   3 Zones

        Radio

        AVERAGE
        59

        We give Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES a score of 59 for Radio features.

        •   Analog Tuner
        •   No Pandora
        •   No Spotify
        •   No Tidal


        For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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