Sony 9.2-channel home theater receiver ES STR-AZ3000ES

Product Overview:

9.2-channel home theater receiver with Dolby Atmos®, Bluetooth®, Apple AirPlay® 2, and Chromecast built-in

More power, more zones, more fun

The STR-AZ3000ES is a great choice if you're looking to expand your system from classic five-speaker surround sound into a modern Dolby Atmos system with height effect speakers providing a vertical dimension. Or maybe you want to give your volume a boost with high-current amplification — perfect for power-hungry speakers. For larger homes, this advanced Sony ES receiver lets you take advantage of as many as three zones of audio or two zones of video.

And you have plenty of connection options for your audio and video sources. You get four 8K compatible HDMI inputs for the latest gaming systems or newer Blu-ray players. Two 4K compatible HDMI inputs can handle SACD/CD players or older DVD/Blu-ray players.

All the surround sound you can handle

With nine channels of built-in high-powered amplification, you can set up your surround sound your way. Use all nine channels for a Dolby Atmos or a DTS:X system for movies that will engulf you with sound. Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX automatically sets the receiver's audio settings for optimum sound in your room. And their exclusive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology ensures three-dimensional, theater-like effects that seem to surround you.

Get rid of the extra wires

One of the most exciting features of Sony's newest receivers is the ability to use wireless rear speakers and wireless subwoofers. If it's just not practical in your particular room to run wires for rear surrounds, you can use the SA-RS3S or SA-RS5 wireless rear speakers — no long runs of speaker wire required, but they will need to plug into AC power. When we demoed these in our Southwest Virginia facility, the smaller wireless rear speakers did an admirable job keeping up with the large wired speakers at the front of the room.

The SA-SW3 or the SA-SW5 give you some handy wireless options for adding a subwoofer. (Again, these subs also require AC power.) For even more bass, pair two of the same subwoofers and feel the rumble!

One receiver, multiple zones

For stereo music in a separate room, you can configure a pair of the STR-AZ3000ES's height channels for music playback in a second zone. Then you can relax in your listening room or on your porch while others watch a movie with surround sound in the living room. Or use the line-level outputs for adding speakers in a second or third room with an additional receiver or amp.

Plus, this receiver's dual-zone HDMI switching lets you send video signals to a second TV, so you can catch up on your shows in the bedroom while the kids watch a movie in the living room.

ES sound quality from a variety of music sources

This receiver's newly designed digital section includes a high-performance 32-bit DAC to make the most of your digital music sources. And the solidly built, vibration-resistant chassis keeps unwanted noise out of your music and movie soundtracks. You get plenty of options for playing music, too. Stream tunes from your phone or tablet through Bluetooth. Use Apple AirPlay 2 to play music directly over your Wi-Fi network from your iPhone®, iPad®, or Mac® computer. Or use Chromecast built-in to stream content from the cloud to your receiver from a variety of compatible apps. You can even play lower-resolution audio with satisfying results, thanks to Sony's upscaling technology.

Works with Sonos

For wireless multi-zone music, this "Works with Sonos" certified receiver gives you even more options to choose from. You can tie your home theater into a whole-house audio system when you add a Sonos Port. Control the audio on your receiver using the Sonos app on your mobile device or computer for a whole-home Sonos experience. The app will even turn on the STR-AZ3000ES and select the correct input automatically.