CE Pro June 2023 - 75

Manual setup took me
roughly 45 minutes. A few
weeks later I moved onto
the auto calibration options,
which can always be
somewhat intimidating to
implement, but it too was
simple to use. Following
onscreen prompts, which
included questions about
speaker configuration, it
took me about 15 minutes
to complete. And since it
was activated, I could then
access Sony's 360-Degree
technology via its " Type A "
virtual speaker layout (there
are two types of virtual
speaker layouts to choose
from), which simulates the
ideal speaker positioning.
Performance &
Final Thoughts
To be blunt, I was blown
away by the STR-AZ5000ES.
I'll reiterate that
because I had no prior experience
with a Sony receiver,
I don't know how its setup
and operation compare with
previous-generation AVRs.
I found the receiver's audio
performance to be fun
and involving, and its source
switching was smooth - it
takes about a dozen seconds
and switches without
any funky dropped pixels or
portions of the screen missing,
or audio dropouts.
Using the STR-AZ5000ES
pre auto calibration, I listened
to content beginning
with music videos on YouTube.
In a classic Van Halen
live performance of " So This
Is Love, " I could clearly hear
elements such as the space
in David Lee Roth's voice as
it sat in the mix, along with
the " brown sound " tone of
Eddie Van Halen's guitar.
Michael Anthony's bass also
sat firmly in the mix, and
Alex Van Halen's snare drum
cut through the bass and
guitar with authority.
On TV content like the
HBO Max series C.B. Strike,
a BBC show, the accents
of the main stars is thick
and I thought the receiver
powering my Aerial Acoustics
speakers delivered a
nice level of clarity that
helped me understand the
dialog without resorting
to captions. With movies,
the receiver delivered nice
dynamics and detail. During
Netflix's Sniper: Ghost Hunter,
I could hear bullets flying
around me at the outer
limits of the soundstage and
bomb explosions produced
deep, impactful bass.
With the auto calibration
activated, I tested
out the 360-degree
surround-sound tech and
while I can't say for certain
how it compares to normal
Dolby Atmos, I will say the
processing is tasteful in how
it produces an immersive
audio experience. Using
Dolby content such as its
demonstration discs with
a Dolby TrueHD version
of The Police performing
" Message in a Bottle " live, I
enjoyed Sony's AFD Movie
mode processing, which the
company says produces,
" optimized sound according
to the stream. The sound
is upmixed to surround to
enjoy surround at the same
time. " The AVR gamely rendered
the intensity in which
Stewart Copeland attacked
his drumkit, while soaking
up guitarist Andy Summers'
chorus-infused tone and
chops, and Sting's great
bass line and vocals.
I also listened to Dolby's
Sony outfits the IMAX Enhanced certified AVR's rear panel
with connections that include seven HDMI 2.1 inputs and
two outputs.
Amaze and Leaf Atmos
trailers, and its clip from the
movie Unbroken, and was
thoroughly impressed by
the STR-AZ5000ES.
So, what's my takeaway
with the new line of Sony
receivers and specifically
the STR-AZ5000ES? Sony
crushed it. The AVR is easy
to use, it sounds fantastic
and most of all it is fun.
There's no question
authorized Sony dealers will
benefit from these receivers.
The combination of the
new Sony AVR, along with
one of the company's projectors
or TVs and a source
device like a PS5 or disc
player, will enable dealers to
deliver a little slice of Hollywood
heaven to clients.
cepro.com
SPECS
Sony STRAZ5000ES
AVR
11.2 channels, with
power rated at 130
watts into 8 ohms, 2
channels driven
Seven HDMI 2.1 inputs/
two outputs
Supports Dolby Atmos,
DTS:X plus Sony's
proprietary Digital
Cinema Auto Calibration
IX that enables the
company's 360 Spatial
Sound Mapping
Video support for 8K,
4K, HDR10, HLG and
Dolby Vision
Certified for Works
with Sonos and IMAX
Enhanced
IP control, Apple AirPlay
2, ChromeCast and
Bluetooth options
MSRP is $2,099
electronics.sony.com
CE PRO
VERDICT
PROS:
Loaded with features,
the STR-AZ5000ES
should meet a range of
needs and applications
Excellent sound
quality, smooth
source switching and
transparent video
playback
Competitively priced;
provides high value
CONS:
Companion remote is a
little too busy with lots
of buttons
Auto calibration
process could be more
descriptive to simplify
June 2023 CE Pro | 75
http://electronics.sony.com http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro June 2023

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