Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES

    75
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    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

    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    1. 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.

    Amplifier
    80
    Audio Features
    68
    Video Features
    73
    Connectivity
    74
    Zones
    90
    Radio
    59
    OVERALL
    75

    For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluation section.


    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 .

    2. 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

    3. Sony 2016 Lineup

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

    Sony 2016 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsImmersive AudioHDRZones Price
    STR-ZA5000ES Image cannot be found 9.2120 W11.111.2Dolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    3
    STR-ZA3000ES Image cannot be found 7.280 W7.17.23
    STR-ZA2000ES Image cannot be found 7.275 W7.13
    STR-ZA1000ES Image cannot be found 7.270 W7.13
    STR-DN1070 Image cannot be found 7.2100 W7.1HDR103
    STR-DH770 Image cannot be found 7.290 W7.1HDR101

    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.

    4. Amplifier

    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

      5. 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.

      6. 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.


      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

      7. Room Calibration

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

        8. 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

        9. 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
        Image cannot be found
        Image cannot be found
        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

        10. Replaced by STR-ZA3100ES

        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.

        11. 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

        12. Specifications

        GENERAL
        BrandSony
        SeriesES
        ModelSTR-ZA3000ES
        TypeA/V Receiver
        CountryOthers
        Release Year2016
        SuccessorSony STR-ZA3100ES
        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
        AUDIO FEATURES
        Maximum Channel Processing7.1
        Air Studios Monitor Certification
        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
        PCM 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Music Playback via USB
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        DSD via USB
        DSD to PCM Converter
        USB DAC
        DTS Dialogue Control
        Dialogue Lift Center Speaker Lift Up
        Digital Legato Linear
        In-Ceiling Speaker Mode
        Sound Optimizer
        Audyssey Dynamic EQ
        Audyssey Dynamic Volume
        Audyssey LFC
        Audyssey Sub EQ HT
        Audyssey DSX
        Direct Mode
        Pure Direct Mode
        CALIBRATION
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. Advanced D.C.A.C.
        Calibration MicrophoneMono
        Speaker Relocation
        Automatic Phase Matching
        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
        isf Certified Calibration Control
        CONNECTIVITY
        Wi-Fi
        Bluetooth
        Works with Amazon Alexa
        Chromecast Built-In
        Works with SonoS
        DTS Play-Fi
        MHL Input
        DLNA 1.5
        AirPlay
        InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
        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
        Ethernet
        Ethernet Switch 8-Port Gigabit
        PC In
        Front A/V InputsHDMI, USB
        Speaker A/B
        Headphone Out
        Detachable Power Cord
        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
        MISCELLANEOUS
        On-Screen Display Graphical User Interface
        GUI Languages3
        RADIO
        Analog Tuner FM/AM
        Presets60 (30/30)
        Digital Radio
        Internet Radio
        Pandora
        Spotify
        Tidal
        Deezer
        Napster
        SiriusXM
        CONSTRUCTION
        Speaker Terminals7
        Large Speaker Terminals7
        Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
        Gold plated RCA terminals
        POWER
        Power SupplyAC 230 V, 50 Hz
        Power Consumption290 W
        Standby Power0.3 W
        PHYSICAL
        Dimensions (W x H x D)430 mm x 174 mm x 410 mm
        17" x 6-7/8" x 16-1/4"
        Weight13.4 kg (29 lbs. 9 oz.)
        SPECIFICATIONS
        Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)80 W (0.09% THD)
        Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)110 W (0.9% THD)
        Power Output (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)100 W (0.09% THD)
        Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)120 W (0.9% THD)
        Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)150 W (0.9% THD)
        Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)150 mV/50 kΩ
        Rated Preout Level and Impedance2 V/1 kΩ (All channels and Subwoofer)
        S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)105 dB (20 kHz LPF, 500 mV)
        S/N Ratio (digital)96 dB (20 kHz LPF)
        Frequency Response (Analog In)10 Hz - 100 kHz/±3 dB
        DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI2.8 MHz
        Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y)
        0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR)
        1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
        FM Frequency87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
        AM Frequency531 kHz - 1602 kHz
        Warranty5 Years

        * - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
        ** - 480i/576i only
        *** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
        **** - 1080p signal is not converted

        Discussion

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