Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES (USA version)

•   Overview
•   Pros and Cons
•   Predecessor
•   Audio Section
•   Video Section
•   Multi-zone Playback
•   Inputs and Outputs
•   Specifications
•   Successor

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES was introduced in 2017. 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 9ch + Phantom 2ch maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/60p video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 83 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.

In this section we present pros and cons of Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES.

Here we are comparing Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES to its predecessor STR-ZA3000ES and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Sony ES 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
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)		vs
HDR10		vs
Dolby Vision		vs
HLG		vs
BT.2020 color space		vs
More RCA Pre-Outs	9.2	vs	7.2

DOWNGRADES	Sony ES 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-ZA3100ES vs Sony ES STR-ZA3000ES.

7 channel Amplifier

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Speaker Configurations

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
5.2.4, 7.2.2 with addition of external 2 channel amplifier.
• DTS:X Configurations: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
5.2.4, 7.2.2 with addition of external 2 channel amplifier.
• Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
• 2-ch Bi-Amp: Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES 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.

Dolby Atmos

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES supports Dolby Atmos. It is a cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

• Dolby Surround Upmixer: If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

DTS:X

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES supports DTS:X. A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

• DTS Neural:X: DTS Neural:X is an advanced upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.

Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)

Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature allows the compatible TV to send audio signal to the a/v receiver through the same HDMI cable which is used to send audio and video signals to the TV. So one HDMI cable is used to transfer audio signal in both directions. New Enhanced ARC will support uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio whereas the previous ARC could support only Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS HD, and PCM.

Sound Processing

• Digital Legato Linear: Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES 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-ZA3100ES comes with D.C.A.C. EX room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

HDMI

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES 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-ZA3100ES can upscale up to 4K/60p from HDMI and analog sources.
• Analog To HDMI Upconversion: The a/v receiver supports video upconversion, so you can connect your analog Component and Composite video sources and Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
• BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35%.
• HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as HDR10, Dolby Vision and Hybrid Log-Gamma. High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

• HDR10: HDR10 uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
• Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.
• Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG): The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is a transfer function developed mainly for HDR live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It is an HDR format that uses BT.2020 color primaries and a bitdepth of 10-bit. It is backward compatible with the transfer function of SDR and is designed to be better-suited for television broadcasting, where the metadata required for other HDR formats is not backward compatible with non-HDR displays. HLG defines a non-linear optical-electro transfer function, in which the lower half of the signal values use a gamma curve and the upper half of the signal values use a logarithmic curve.

Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES 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-ZA3100ES 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-ZA3100ES 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.

Audio

• Analog Pre-Outs: Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES has 9.2 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. Also, Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES has 10 channel processing but has only 7 channel amplifier, so it needs the external amplifier connected to the analog pre-outs in order to reach the maximum speaker configuration.
• Analog Line Inputs: There are 4 line inputs for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 2 optical outputs 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: 0

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES.

BASICS
Brand	Sony
Series	ES
Model	STR-ZA3100ES
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2017

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO
Maximum Channel Processing	9ch + Phantom 2ch
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos	up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Digital EX
DTS:X	up to 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 plus 2 phantom rear surround channels
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo
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
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 Dialog Control
Dialogue Lift	Center Speaker Lift Up
Digital Legato Linear
In-Ceiling Speaker Mode
OP Processing
Sound Optimizer
Tone Control	All Channels
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.	D.C.A.C. EX
Calibration Microphone	Stereo
EQ for D.C.A.C.	31 band EQ
Speaker Relocation
Automatic Phase Matching

VIDEO
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
BT.2020 color space
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K/60p
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component, Composite
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Music Connect
Remote Monitoring with ihiji
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch	8-Port Gigabit
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
HDBaseT Compatible
HDMI Inputs	6 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 (Front) for update and setting
USB DC Out Port
RCA Line Input	4
RCA Line Output
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	2
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	1
Composite Video Input	2
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	2
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	9.2
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out

ZONES
Zones	3
Powered Zones	2
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, Composite Video, RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone GUI	for Zone 2
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	3 (80 mA)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 2

MISC
On-Screen Display	Graphical User Interface
GUI Languages	3
Remote Controller	RM-AAU217
Detachable Power Cord

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Presets	60 (30/30)
Digital Radio
Internet Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Speaker Terminals	7
Large Speaker Terminals	7
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	290 W
Standby Power	0.3 W

GENERAL
Dimensions (W x H x D)	430 mm x 174 mm x 410 mm 17" x 6-7/8" x 16-1/4"
Weight	13.1 kg (28 lbs. 15 oz.)
Warranty	5 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	80 W (0.09% THD)
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	110 W (0.9% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	100 W (0.09% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	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 Impedance	2 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 HDMI	2.8 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)
Ethernet Standard	1000BASE-T
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1710 kHz

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

In 2023 Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES was replaced by STR-AZ3000ES. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Sony ES STR-AZ3000ES	vs	Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES
More Channels	9.2	vs	7.2
Certified 4 Ω Performance		vs
More Channel Processing	11.2	vs	9ch + Phantom 2ch
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization		vs
DTS Virtual:X		vs
IMAX Enhanced		vs
Music Playback via USB	FLAC, AIFF, WAV, DSD, ALAC, MP3, WMA, AAC	vs
DSD via USB	2-ch Input	vs
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	D.C.A.C. IX	vs	D.C.A.C. EX
Newer HDCP Version	2.3	vs	2.2
Auto Low Latency Mode Pass-through		vs
VRR		vs
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4	vs	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 8K 50/60Hz and 4K 100/120Hz 4:4:4	vs	up to 4K/60p
DLNA 1.5		vs
Chromecast Built-In		vs
Works with SONOS		vs
AirPlay	AirPlay 2	vs
Wi-Fi		vs
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC, LDAC	vs
More 8K Inputs	4	vs
More Powered Zones	2 and 3	vs	2
Internet Radio	TuneIn & iHeart Radio	vs
Pandora		vs
Spotify		vs
Tidal		vs
Deezer		vs
More Speaker Terminals	9	vs	7
More Large Speaker Terminals	9	vs	7
Bigger Power Supply	440 W	vs	290 W
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	110 W (0.09% THD)	vs	80 W (0.09% THD)
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)	120 W (0.9% THD)	vs	110 W (0.9% THD)

DOWNGRADES	Sony ES STR-AZ3000ES	vs	Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES
DTS Express		vs
Ethernet Switch		vs	8-Port Gigabit
Less Component Video Inputs		vs	2
Less RCA Pre-Outs	0.2	vs	9.2
Front A/V Inputs	USB	vs	HDMI, USB
+12V Trigger Output	1	vs	3 (80 mA)
Analog Tuner	FM	vs	FM/AM
Less Presets	30	vs	60 (30/30)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Sony ES STR-ZA3100ES vs Sony ES STR-AZ3000ES.