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Sony STR-DN1080 7.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver: 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth, WiFi, Google Chromecast Black
Brand | Sony |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
Controller Type | Google Assistant |
Special Feature | DTS: X, Virtual Surround with S-Force Pro Front Surround, Dolby Atmos, DSEE HX Upscaling, Chromecast Built-in, High-Resolution Audio File Formats, Phantom Surround Back, High Dynamic Range, DSD Native Playback See more |
Compatible Devices | Speaker |
Total HDMI Ports | 6 |
Connector Type | RCA, HDMI |
Audio Encoding | Surround |
Audio Output Mode | Surround |
Surround Sound Channel Configuration | 7.2 |
About this item
- CINEMATIC SOUND AT HOME: Enjoy your favorite TV shows & movies, stream your favorite music and more with theater like sound in the comfort of your home
- PHANTOM SURROUND SETTING: Experience 7 channel surround sound with only a 5 channel speaker setup. Chrome cast built in is present
- ADVANCED AUDIO: DTS: X object based surrounds sound adapts to your speaker configuration in real time
- 4K PASS THROUGH: 4K HDR compatible with HDCP 2.2 support for sharper source to screen image quality
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL SYSTEM: Enjoy a multi channel stereo setup and preset channel FM / AM radio tuner
- EASY LISTENING: The STRDN1080 has Chromecast and is AirPlay, Multi Room and Google Home compatible
- DYNAMIC SETUP: 6 in/2 out HDMI flexibility, front USB port and optical digital, analog AV connections
- SPECS: 1155 Watts, 6 ohm, 1 kilo Hertz, THD 0.9% A/V receiver with 2nd zone and available 3rd zone connectivity
- IN THE BOX: Receivers include a calibration microphone, FM wire antenna, remote control, batteries
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This Item Sony STR-DN1080 7.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater AV Receiver: 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth, WiFi, Google Chromecast Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $449.00$449.00 | -8% $349.99$349.99 Typical: $379.99 | $598.00$598.00 | -34% $598.00$598.00 List: $899.99 | $649.00$649.00 | -14% $1,463.99$1,463.99 List: $1,699.00 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it Mar 26 - 29 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.4 | 4.1 | — | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
Screen quality | 4.4 | — | — | 4.2 | 5.0 | 3.9 |
Remote Control | 4.0 | 4.1 | — | 3.7 | — | — |
Easy to use | 3.5 | — | — | — | 3.6 | 4.0 |
Tech Support | 3.5 | 4.0 | — | — | — | 3.5 |
Sold By | Beach Camera Same Day Shipping | Focus Camera LLC | Beach Camera Same Day Shipping | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | RSRTechnologies |
number of channels | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | HDMI, Auxiliary | Bluetooth, HDMI | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | HDMI | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RCA, HDMI |
control method | remote | remote | voice | — | voice | voice |
controller type | Google Assistant | — | Google Assistant | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa | Denon 2016 AVR Remote |
audio output type | Headphones, Speakers | Speakers | Speakers | Speakers | Speakers | Speakers |
supported services | Spotify | Plugin | Spotify | Spotify | Amazon Music, TIDAL, Spotify | Pandora, TIDAL, Spotify |
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 19 x 15 x 8.38 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 23 pounds |
Manufacturer | Sony |
ASIN | B06XKRWWSG |
Item model number | STRDN1080 |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #191,209 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #47 in Home Theater Systems |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | March 2, 2017 |
Warranty & Support
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Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 19 x 15 x 8.38 inches; 23 Pounds
- Item model number : STRDN1080
- Batteries : 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)
- Date First Available : March 2, 2017
- Manufacturer : Sony
- ASIN : B06XKRWWSG
- Best Sellers Rank: #191,209 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
- #47 in Home Theater Systems
- Customer Reviews:
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Sony STR-DN1080 7.2-ch Surround Sound Home Theater
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Product Description
Experience true home theater without limitations with this 7.2 channel receiver with Dolby Atmos 3D and DTS:X object-based surround sound, plus 4K HDR and HDCP 2.2 compatibility. Enjoy the flexibility of 6-in/2-out HDMI2 and multi-room listening, plus voice control powered by Google Home. All in a smaller chassis that fits more places. Input Output Terminals: Audio Input Opt (1)Audio Input Coax (1)Analog Audio Input (4)Pre Out Subwoofer (2)Composite Monitor Out (1)Headphone Output (1)USB (1 Front)Ethernet Port (1). Power Requirement: 120V 60Hz. Spotify Connect : Yes. Network features: Bluetooth Receiver, Bluetooth Transmitter, NFC, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Mobile Control Application, Wireless Multi-Room. Chromecast built-in: Yes. Works with Google Assistant: Yes
From the manufacturer
Your ideal home audio arrangement
Experience full 360° sound
The Phantom Surround Back speaker setting replicates the immersive sound of physical surround back speakers, enabling you to enjoy a 7 channel surround sound experience with only a 5 channel speaker setup.
Find your audio sweet spot
The new flexible speaker solution 'relocates' sound to simulate the optimal position and angle for the best audio experience, working around any physical space restrictions.
Sony AV Receivers
STR-DN1080 | STR-DH790 | STR-DH590 | STR-DH190 | |
Customer Reviews
|
4.3 out of 5 stars
1,362
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
2,734
|
4.5 out of 5 stars
5,159
|
4.5 out of 5 stars
8,559
|
Wattage
| 1155W (165W x 7) | 1015W (145W x 7) | 725W (145W x 5) | 200W (100W x 2) |
Channels
| 7.2 + Phantom Rear Surrond | 7.2 | 5.2 | 2 |
Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
| Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
Network Services & Sources
| Airplay, Chromecast, and more | — | — | — |
Multi-Room Compatible/2nd Zone
| yes/yes | — | — | — |
4K
| Repeater HDCP 2.2 (All In/Out) | Repeater HDCP 2.2 (All In/Out) | Repeater HDCP 2.2 (All In/Out) | — |
HDMI Input/Output
| 6 in/2 out w/ HDCP 2.2 support | 4 in/1 out w/ HDCP 2.2 support | 4 in/1 out w/ HDCP 2.2 support | — |
Auto Calibration
| D.C.A.C. EX | Advanced D.C.A.C. | Advanced D.C.A.C. | — |
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X
| yes/yes | yes/yes | — | — |
Music Center App
| yes | — | — | — |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of setup of the av receiver. They say the GUI is intuitive and simple to follow. They also appreciate the relative ease of operation. However, some customers have reported issues with the video quality, saying the ARC video output quit working and the enhanced format didn't work to enable HDR. Customers also differ on sound quality, performance, quality, ease of use, bluetooth connectivity, and HDMI.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the setup of the av receiver to be easy. They mention that the GUI is intuitive, and the on-screen menus are simple to follow. They appreciate the setup section, which is especially good. They also mention that Bluetooth output is very easy to use, and that the user interface is excellent and speedy.
"...Now, the Onkyo did sound pretty great, and the user interface was excellent and speedy. However, again, the same problem arose......" Read more
"...The setup section is especially good, where you can dig deep and then even deeper into fine tuning controls that are accompanied by icons..." Read more
"...Set up was very easy. I don't have all my speakers attached yet, so I set up a 3.1 configuration (Center speaker, 2 front speakers and a subwoofer)...." Read more
"...I repurposed the 7.1 system into a 5.1.2 for Atmos. very simple. The 4K Samsung DVD player does not support atmos!!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the sound quality of the av receiver. Some mention that it has great sound, excellent picture pass-thru, and the bass is heavier. They also like that the receiver has Airplay, and that the phantom speaker set up is great. However, others say that the sound is muffled, low frequencies were so loud, and its treble was distorted. They mention that there is a slight buzzing sound from the AVR unit.
"...Features like "In-Ceiling Speaker Mode" which reproduces more natural sound by lowering the position of audio output from speakers installed..." Read more
"...The sound is as rich and full as the 5 year old Onkyo that cost twice as much and has 15 watts more power per channel. The sony adds 4k and Atmos...." Read more
"...However, it sounded phenomenal so I learned to hang out for a minute or two after turning it off to ensure it stayed turned off, and wait for it to..." Read more
"...Let me tell you, it was nothing but trouble from the get go. Its sound was muffled, its low frequencies were so loud, and its treble was lost in the..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the av receiver. Some mention that it works very well, functionally, and beautifully. However, others say that it came with several problems and became defective.
"...'s hard to dispute that it is exceptionally high on overall value, functionality and usability and for those factors it earns 4+...." Read more
"...It did a decent job of Atmos considering I only have the 3.1 set up right now...." Read more
"...Well, i returned the device after a few months because it became defective and kept shutting off. This was a saving grace...." Read more
"...11/11/20In short: This unit is great. I've had it for a month now...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the AV receiver. Some mention that the 1080 up-scaling gives very nice quality 4K contents, and the overall quality of receiver is great. However, others say that the sound is lower and of poor quality when using ARC, and that the equalizer is poor quality. Some customers also mention that it's not well advertised and a defective product.
"...than some, but i am totally happy to accept that along with the great quality and user controls to match the audio perfectly to my viewing..." Read more
"...on the back of the amp should be a 2-pin JST PH, which is tiny and hard to repair...." Read more
"...and slightly updated on this model is as good as it gets … crisp high-resolution graphics, clear easy to understand wording, logical choices all..." Read more
"...Having crappy firmware is bad enough, but having horrible support is not acceptable to me." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of use of the av receiver. Some mention that the high-resolution graphics, clear easy to understand wording, and logical choices all make for a simple and amazing experience. However, others say that the UI is slow, navigation through sources is slow and switching between inputs is slow. The startup time is also slow.
"...The interface is a little slower than some, but i am totally happy to accept that along with the great quality and user controls to match the audio..." Read more
"...is as good as it gets … crisp high-resolution graphics, clear easy to understand wording, logical choices all make for a superb user experience...." Read more
"...It is not laid out the best, and I couldn't select all the inputs with ease from it. For example, there is no Bluetooth button on the remote...." Read more
"...The interface shown on the TV is a bit slow in comparison to other experiences. Sony could have done a better job here...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the bluetooth connectivity of the av receiver. Some mention it provides great sound and connectivity options at a great price, while others say that the bluetooth is not that impressive, weird, and it's not possible to cast or play video wirelessly.
"...The smartphone app works well.* The amp can both transmit and receive Bluetooth signals (and switching between these modes is easy)...." Read more
"...The bluetooth on this set is pretty weird in my opinion and they have several defaults that occur when you go to bluetooth that cannot be controlled..." Read more
"The DN1080 is a great receiver. I love the spotify connect ability, and the sound quality is fantastic through my Klipsch reference premier series..." Read more
"...A smaller easier to use remote is included. Bluetooth headphones were a little challenging at first, user issue, Best bet for the money...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the HDMI. Some mention that the interface isn't terrible, has pass through for all 4K content, and even HDR, while others say that the HDMI inputs are faulty and experience HDMI issues.
"...5. HDR support - now that 3D TV is officially dead, 4k and HDR are the big buzzwords you see in the ads for the hottest new TV's6...." Read more
"...8500 series 4K Tv with the external smart hub, it is not compatible with the HDMI control and it seems to be the reason why the HDMI A port did not..." Read more
"...4K input/output is flawless and 7.1 sound has brought a new dimension to my 'lil theater room. A smaller easier to use remote is included...." Read more
"...The other thing I did not like is how long it took to change between inputs...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the video quality of the av receiver. They mention that the ARC video output quit working, the enhanced format does not work to enable HDR, and the Zone 2 output didn't work. It works with music and tests but not with movies. The board made some of the HDMI inputs not work correctly, and its functionality decreased over time. The setup was much harder and the IR to work didn''t always come on.
"...Set up was much harder. The HDMI A with ARC was not operational and I was about to return the receiver But I did not want to give up yet so I..." Read more
"...My only complaint, and it's minor, is that Zone 2 will not work with HDMI input...." Read more
"...Alas, I was wrong. The 4k pass-thru was very limited, and did not support HDCP 2.2 or any sort of HDR pass-thru...." Read more
"...It worked sporadically but over the year, it's functionality decreased until now it does not Chromecast anymore...." Read more
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This review is long. It is intended for the person who is considering paying for a top-of-the-line home entertainment system receiver. I tried to summarize my thoughts on whether it is worth it in the final paragraph.
I purchased my first Sony-brand receiver, the STR-DN1050, when it first came out in 2014. In the world of high tech audio/video the 3 years since is considered a millennium. Previous to that purchase I had considered Sony to be more of a mainstream brand and my personal preferences ran more to the brands that are perceived to be in the upper audiophile end (not that Sony isn’t in that market, because they are). But with home-entertainment systems becoming equally focused on video as well as strictly for music reproduction it seemed logical that Sony was well established in both media and they certainly know a lot about movies and video.
Overall my satisfaction level with the DN1050 has been very high in terms of multi-channel movies and general everyday listening; good on convenience features and better-than-average on user-friendly interface. My only disappointment is that sometimes after being run at high volume for a few hours the built-in thermal protection powers the amp down to cool, which not too cool when we're in the middle of a movie. I take most of the blame for that though because my receiver is in an open cabinet with a shelf above it which traps the heat. For my new 1080 receiver I bought a component fan exhaust accessory AC Infinity AIRCOM T8 Quiet Cooling Blower Fan System to help channel the heat away from the unit.
Why am I comparing this to the STN-DN1050? Essentially that was the first of this series (the STN-DN1040 was enough different to warrant being excluded) and it is old enough some that some 1050 (and 1060 & 1070) owners may be thinking of upgrading to a newer model, hence a model vs model comparison.
The STR-DN1080 is brand-new (first deliveries April 30, 2017). It breaks no new ground as far as form-factor or user interface and the basic specs are virtually identical. As Sony historically has done the changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But appealing to my audiophile tastes are several new enhancements to sound reproduction that edge it closer to a premium audio amplifier.
NEW OR CHANGED FEATURES over the previous models in the series
1. Dolby Atmos (sound from above the visual field using additional speakers - see more about this below). Sony's first receiver to fully implement this feature.
2. DTS:X added - being compatible with the newest formats is always a good thing. Sony's first receiver to fully implement this feature.
3. Sixth HDMI port removed from front panel for easy access and now included with the usual I/O section on the rear panel
4. A 4K repeater feature allows data to pass through the receiver without compromising image quality, and it has HDCP 2.2 support, all at 60fps
5. HDR support - now that 3D TV is officially dead, 4k and HDR are the big buzzwords you see in the ads for the hottest new TV's
6. Removed one HDMI output (now has 2 instead of three). With many new TV's now equipped with 3-6 HDMI inputs and some of the newest ones with external I/O boxes having as many as 8 (which could mean as many as 14 HMDI inputs total when combined with those on the 1080), for as many AV gadgets as I own I don't think I'll ever complain about not having enough inputs. Six is fine for a receiver in this class, if I wanted more that's an easy thing to fix or I’d simply just choose a different model. I would rather concentrate on audio and video performance than quantity of I/O ports.
7. Removed all component connectivity jacks. Most users probably won't miss these as very few consumer TV's have them anymore.
8. There were two Toslink optical ports on the rear of the receiver, now there is only one. In my opinion is too soon to eliminate optical audio connectivity from home entertainment equipment. There still is a Coax audio input, which I need and use.
9. Two outputs for powered subwoofers (unchanged), much appreciated by me. Although subs are omnidirectional I have three of them because of the dynamics of my listening room. Two of them can be driven off the second port and controlled by the speaker controls/equalizer
10. Speaker terminal array was 3 pair plus center, is now 3 pair plus center AND dedicated posts for non-powered Zone 2 speakers in addition to ports for powered Zone 2 speakers (or Atmos)
11. Added second Wi-Fi antenna for dual-band Wi-Fi for Airplay, DLNA and Chromecast. The system also supports Spotify Connect and Sony's SongPal Link system.
12. DCAC EX auto calibration - auto calibration from most of the major manufactures continues to improve. This is an improvement over earlier attempts. I use it for initial setup but I can always do better using my ears for final tweaking. In real life what this does for you is to give you the effect of actually moving and aiming your speakers sound dispersion (Speaker Relocation) when physically moving them is not possible (see more below)
13. Works with Google Home
14. Chromecast built-in (part of the Google Home feature set but there is an iOS app as well)
15. LDAC: for the transmission of High-Resolution Audio content with a LIMITED number of currently available compatible devices (nice, worthwhile and forward thinking)
16. Phantom Surround Back - creates the illusion of more physical speakers
17.Virtual surround with S-Force PRO Front Surround (nice to have and the effect can be better than a soundbar but is it realistic that someone would choose one of Sony's top-of-line multichannel receivers for use with only two speakers?)
18. BT-TX - previous models in this series would only play FROM a Bluetooth source, like maybe your smartphone. This model will play TO a device (like Bluetooth headphones) as well. This is a feature I LOVE and use every day!!
19. Audio enhancements (see below)
20. A very minor detail that happens to be important to me is the overall height of this model is about ¾” less than the 1050. That extra space above the 1080 makes a world of difference in terms of air circulation. For some users the height difference may also make the difference whether or not the receiver will fit where you would like to put it.
21. There are several more features that aren't as prominent but illustrate Sony's commitment to audio reproduction. Features like "In-Ceiling Speaker Mode" which reproduces more natural sound by lowering the position of audio output from speakers installed in the ceiling and "Center Speaker Lift Up" which is supposed to produce natural sound that feels more authentic by lifting the sound from the center speaker up to the height of the screen. While these features are buried in the small print they both work and are both useful to me. I have no choice how high my ceiling speakers are mounted, I can’t move my ceiling, but the fine-tuning lets me move the sound field closer to the listening area. If you use a center-channel speaker you know it’s impossible to mount it in the true center of your TV screen. Lift Up electronically repositions the important dialogue speaker so it sounds more like it’s coming from inside the TV screen rather than under the TV screen.
IN REAL LIFE USE IN MY MEDIA ROOM SETUP
(Gear: test source content Sony UBP-X800; display LG 75UH8500; custom Mirage MX-series x 8 + powered sub/JBL 3635 subs x3)
Starting with Dolby Atmos, I reconfigured my speaker array to take advantage of it. I installed an additional pair of speakers 20' up in my cathedral ceiling. Whether the source is actually Atmos encoded or not (and I don’t own a lot of content that is) the improved aural effect for everyday listening is a huge wow.
Note: Sony posted an answer to a user question if this has phono inputs. They said yes. Assuming the question is referring to an equalized low-level input from a turntable, IT DOES NOT. It has three pairs of legacy line-level RCA inputs but no dedicated phono turntable low-level inputs. To use a traditional turntable you would need to add a separate pre-amp.
While I welcome the Google Home compatibility I am displeased with the "format wars" with a major company like Sony choosing sides. Google Home is one of the newest and there is a huge established base of Echo users (not to mention Siri). Why not just be universally compatible with them all? I know Sony isn’t alone in the lack of universal control but as a world audio/video leader they could set a precedent.
As far as audio quality enhancements, some are meaningful and if course some are marketing hype. While I can't do a real-time A/B comparison between this and previous generations of this series, I did play my usual audio "test" material in a same-day comparison on both receivers and I am very impressed with what I hear from the 1080. Their small tweaks ultimately do result in a perception of a more natural overall sound.
One appreciated feature is that Sony has dispensed of the odd specialized sound fields like the Berlin Philharmoniker, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Musikverein Wien (which to me always sounded phony) and drilled back to those that really matter. The slimmed down sound field choices now represent real life sound environments like stereo, multi-channel, Dolby Surround, headphone (yes, really, a sound field dedicated to headphone listening), and a very few other fields, none with esoteric names.
One thing that intrigued me is DCAC EX ... I've used various "automatic" setup schemes since they were introduced and while I like the basic concept they baffled me how they could be totally accurate only using a mono microphone. Hint: they weren't. They gave a rough order of magnitude how loud each speaker is and even took a good guess at how far it was away from your listening position, but with a mono mic they couldn't really tell you if the speaker was too high or low or was too far to the right or left of optimum position or if the transducers were pointing right at you. Now equipped with a stereo microphone, DCAC EX is a significant improvement in making those calculations and attempts to autocorrect for positioning, aiming and phase. Does it work? Well, every room is different and my room is a definite challenge but I would say once you try it you will think previous methods are primitive by comparison.
A backward step considering how warm this receiver can get is that for some reason Sony reduced the surface area of the top vents almost by half. Looking inside the unit through the vents it appears there are less electronics inside. Maybe it runs cooler? I'll post some test results later on.
Coupled with the observations that the cabinet is smaller and there may also be less electronics inside the 1080. From my casual peek through the vent grill without opening the cabinet it does seem to have less electronics inside.
Sony, who is usually so good at keeping their user interface simple yet useful certainly accomplishes the former with the included remote control (if you use it ... I have my system under Harmony/Alexa control). Unlike the remotes of some other brands that have dozens of tiny buttons that control nearly everything their device can do, Sony chooses to offer only 26 buttons (plus the D-pad array ... 2 more buttons than the previous model) that are permanently labeled, some of them for functions a user may only rarely, or never, use. At the least I would have preferred to have a dedicated button for each of the inputs. You CAN remap the button functions to almost anything you want (including one cool custom button that can remember your exact preferences) but of course the permanent labels remain. I did remap it so there is a dedicated button for each of the 6 HDMI inputs and also 2 audio-only inputs but I had to resort to using stick-on labels to help me remember what they are.
One more real-life observation has to do with setup. Like my previous Sony receiver you can choose (or not) to have the unit go through a guided setup procedure. Oddly, Sony gives the user an option if they want to start by setting up either the network or speakers first. I highly recommend choosing to do the network first. When you do, it will seem like nothing’s happening and you may think your unit is defective. Be patient, for some reason it takes a long time for it to do some internal preliminary adjustments. The problem is it doesn’t tell you in any way what it’s doing. After a couple of minutes it finally got to asking me what my preferred language is, which is typically the most basic question a new device asks. From there the next screen needs to have you make some choices. It is one of the very few screens on this unit that isn’t as clear as it should be. Having used Sony setup screens before I was able to breeze through the network setup in about 30 seconds after that and it worked the first time as it should. By default the receiver will prompt you when there are any software/firmware changes (you can turn that auto-prompt off) but it would have been nice if the first time you turn it on it confirms that everything is up to date. I had to check manually to be sure.
HOW DOES IT SOUND
Having worked extensively in pro recording studios I have a pretty good audio memory. My home system has had a wide range of the major brands of AV equipment installed over recent years. Since I installed this receiver immediately after pulling a similar Sony model that is still shown as current at their website I can offer an opinion if there are any changes for better or worse in overall sound quality. Before I do I'll mention that in MY system there was no visible improvement in video quality but I have to clarify that it’s possible that the 1080 is ahead of the curve compared to the rest of my system. But as far as sound, yes there is some good news. Before I added the upper speakers, playing the identical source in the same way, I perceive a bit more clarity. By that I don't mean sharpness or brilliance ... those are to me traits that Sony is known for (as opposed to the warmer more natural sound some other brands are known for). With this generation Sony has opted for a slightly warmer sound. Dialogue sounds more like human voices than electronic loudspeakers. Low-end bass from the subwoofers (I have 3) is slightly tighter and less boomy. Overall it's more of a fine tuning exercise from Sony than a radical shift in the "Sony sound"
USER FRIENDLINESS
Sony has chosen not to dazzle with a lot of blue lights, chrome and buzzwords emblazoned on the front of the receiver. The styling is basic black and very restrained. The buttons are tiny and hard to read by comparison to some other brands. The input selector and volume knobs have a smooth feeling but does anyone really use them rather than the remote control and excellent on-screen menu instead? The remote, by the way, has very few dedicated buttons but what it does have can be user-customized. I use neither, preferring to control my system with a Harmony Elite/Echo combination. Finally, the on-screen menu (GUI) first introduced in its current form on the 1050 and slightly updated on this model is as good as it gets … crisp high-resolution graphics, clear easy to understand wording, logical choices all make for a superb user experience. The setup section is especially good, where you can dig deep and then even deeper into fine tuning controls that are accompanied by icons representing your speaker locations (which it knows without you having to tell it). Most of the adjustments allow you to hear the results of the audio changes in real time. That may not sound like a big deal but another well-known brand switches the audio off during setup adjustments which makes it pale by comparison to the Sony.
Reversing a common trend lately of not including a user manual with their products (a $3000 Sony camera I bought recently only has a one page manual), this receiver has an impressive amount of printed documentation included.
BOTTOM LINE
I originally bought the STR-DN1050 because after a lot of shopping it seemed like the best value, all things considered. If you have a 1040, 1050, 1060 or 1070 the 1080 may not be the quantum leap to cause you to replace your old receiver. Moving up a few generations of this model is in some ways like upgrading the OS on your computer or smartphone ... the device still does the same basic thing but better with little improvements that make your experience that much better. If this is your first look at Sony and you are seeking a receiver that ticks (most of) the boxes in terms of being compatible and keeping up with technology, the 1080 is worth giving serious consideration.
Why a 5 rating then? Per guidelines I lean toward giving things I like a positive 4, rarely higher, with that extra point reserved for best of class. This receiver isn't in that best-of-best stratified league but it's hard to dispute that it is exceptionally high on overall value, functionality and usability and for those factors it earns 4+. Putting all those aside though, I believe Sony hits a home run here with what I call enjoyability of multimedia listening. It simply sounds better than any full-functioned multi-channel receiver I’ve owned when used for home theater, which is the way I'm using it ... more natural, more accurate and yes, more impressive. All that's important to me as I continue to update and upgrade my video components and I seek to keep up to speed on the audio side as well. To be sure this is not the best audiophile-grade MUSIC amp I've heard, far from it, but that's not what it's designed to be. But for home theater the score is 4.75
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2017
This review is long. It is intended for the person who is considering paying for a top-of-the-line home entertainment system receiver. I tried to summarize my thoughts on whether it is worth it in the final paragraph.
I purchased my first Sony-brand receiver, the STR-DN1050, when it first came out in 2014. In the world of high tech audio/video the 3 years since is considered a millennium. Previous to that purchase I had considered Sony to be more of a mainstream brand and my personal preferences ran more to the brands that are perceived to be in the upper audiophile end (not that Sony isn’t in that market, because they are). But with home-entertainment systems becoming equally focused on video as well as strictly for music reproduction it seemed logical that Sony was well established in both media and they certainly know a lot about movies and video.
Overall my satisfaction level with the DN1050 has been very high in terms of multi-channel movies and general everyday listening; good on convenience features and better-than-average on user-friendly interface. My only disappointment is that sometimes after being run at high volume for a few hours the built-in thermal protection powers the amp down to cool, which not too cool when we're in the middle of a movie. I take most of the blame for that though because my receiver is in an open cabinet with a shelf above it which traps the heat. For my new 1080 receiver I bought a component fan exhaust accessory [[ASIN:B01LW1Q429 AC Infinity AIRCOM T8 Quiet Cooling Blower Fan System]] to help channel the heat away from the unit.
Why am I comparing this to the STN-DN1050? Essentially that was the first of this series (the STN-DN1040 was enough different to warrant being excluded) and it is old enough some that some 1050 (and 1060 & 1070) owners may be thinking of upgrading to a newer model, hence a model vs model comparison.
The STR-DN1080 is brand-new (first deliveries April 30, 2017). It breaks no new ground as far as form-factor or user interface and the basic specs are virtually identical. As Sony historically has done the changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. But appealing to my audiophile tastes are several new enhancements to sound reproduction that edge it closer to a premium audio amplifier.
NEW OR CHANGED FEATURES over the previous models in the series
1. Dolby Atmos (sound from above the visual field using additional speakers - see more about this below). Sony's first receiver to fully implement this feature.
2. DTS:X added - being compatible with the newest formats is always a good thing. Sony's first receiver to fully implement this feature.
3. Sixth HDMI port removed from front panel for easy access and now included with the usual I/O section on the rear panel
4. A 4K repeater feature allows data to pass through the receiver without compromising image quality, and it has HDCP 2.2 support, all at 60fps
5. HDR support - now that 3D TV is officially dead, 4k and HDR are the big buzzwords you see in the ads for the hottest new TV's
6. Removed one HDMI output (now has 2 instead of three). With many new TV's now equipped with 3-6 HDMI inputs and some of the newest ones with external I/O boxes having as many as 8 (which could mean as many as 14 HMDI inputs total when combined with those on the 1080), for as many AV gadgets as I own I don't think I'll ever complain about not having enough inputs. Six is fine for a receiver in this class, if I wanted more that's an easy thing to fix or I’d simply just choose a different model. I would rather concentrate on audio and video performance than quantity of I/O ports.
7. Removed all component connectivity jacks. Most users probably won't miss these as very few consumer TV's have them anymore.
8. There were two Toslink optical ports on the rear of the receiver, now there is only one. In my opinion is too soon to eliminate optical audio connectivity from home entertainment equipment. There still is a Coax audio input, which I need and use.
9. Two outputs for powered subwoofers (unchanged), much appreciated by me. Although subs are omnidirectional I have three of them because of the dynamics of my listening room. Two of them can be driven off the second port and controlled by the speaker controls/equalizer
10. Speaker terminal array was 3 pair plus center, is now 3 pair plus center AND dedicated posts for non-powered Zone 2 speakers in addition to ports for powered Zone 2 speakers (or Atmos)
11. Added second Wi-Fi antenna for dual-band Wi-Fi for Airplay, DLNA and Chromecast. The system also supports Spotify Connect and Sony's SongPal Link system.
12. DCAC EX auto calibration - auto calibration from most of the major manufactures continues to improve. This is an improvement over earlier attempts. I use it for initial setup but I can always do better using my ears for final tweaking. In real life what this does for you is to give you the effect of actually moving and aiming your speakers sound dispersion (Speaker Relocation) when physically moving them is not possible (see more below)
13. Works with Google Home
14. Chromecast built-in (part of the Google Home feature set but there is an iOS app as well)
15. LDAC: for the transmission of High-Resolution Audio content with a LIMITED number of currently available compatible devices (nice, worthwhile and forward thinking)
16. Phantom Surround Back - creates the illusion of more physical speakers
17.Virtual surround with S-Force PRO Front Surround (nice to have and the effect can be better than a soundbar but is it realistic that someone would choose one of Sony's top-of-line multichannel receivers for use with only two speakers?)
18. BT-TX - previous models in this series would only play FROM a Bluetooth source, like maybe your smartphone. This model will play TO a device (like Bluetooth headphones) as well. This is a feature I LOVE and use every day!!
19. Audio enhancements (see below)
20. A very minor detail that happens to be important to me is the overall height of this model is about ¾” less than the 1050. That extra space above the 1080 makes a world of difference in terms of air circulation. For some users the height difference may also make the difference whether or not the receiver will fit where you would like to put it.
21. There are several more features that aren't as prominent but illustrate Sony's commitment to audio reproduction. Features like "In-Ceiling Speaker Mode" which reproduces more natural sound by lowering the position of audio output from speakers installed in the ceiling and "Center Speaker Lift Up" which is supposed to produce natural sound that feels more authentic by lifting the sound from the center speaker up to the height of the screen. While these features are buried in the small print they both work and are both useful to me. I have no choice how high my ceiling speakers are mounted, I can’t move my ceiling, but the fine-tuning lets me move the sound field closer to the listening area. If you use a center-channel speaker you know it’s impossible to mount it in the true center of your TV screen. Lift Up electronically repositions the important dialogue speaker so it sounds more like it’s coming from inside the TV screen rather than under the TV screen.
IN REAL LIFE USE IN MY MEDIA ROOM SETUP
(Gear: test source content Sony UBP-X800; display LG 75UH8500; custom Mirage MX-series x 8 + powered sub/JBL 3635 subs x3)
Starting with Dolby Atmos, I reconfigured my speaker array to take advantage of it. I installed an additional pair of speakers 20' up in my cathedral ceiling. Whether the source is actually Atmos encoded or not (and I don’t own a lot of content that is) the improved aural effect for everyday listening is a huge wow.
Note: Sony posted an answer to a user question if this has phono inputs. They said yes. Assuming the question is referring to an equalized low-level input from a turntable, IT DOES NOT. It has three pairs of legacy line-level RCA inputs but no dedicated phono turntable low-level inputs. To use a traditional turntable you would need to add a separate pre-amp.
While I welcome the Google Home compatibility I am displeased with the "format wars" with a major company like Sony choosing sides. Google Home is one of the newest and there is a huge established base of Echo users (not to mention Siri). Why not just be universally compatible with them all? I know Sony isn’t alone in the lack of universal control but as a world audio/video leader they could set a precedent.
As far as audio quality enhancements, some are meaningful and if course some are marketing hype. While I can't do a real-time A/B comparison between this and previous generations of this series, I did play my usual audio "test" material in a same-day comparison on both receivers and I am very impressed with what I hear from the 1080. Their small tweaks ultimately do result in a perception of a more natural overall sound.
One appreciated feature is that Sony has dispensed of the odd specialized sound fields like the Berlin Philharmoniker, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Musikverein Wien (which to me always sounded phony) and drilled back to those that really matter. The slimmed down sound field choices now represent real life sound environments like stereo, multi-channel, Dolby Surround, headphone (yes, really, a sound field dedicated to headphone listening), and a very few other fields, none with esoteric names.
One thing that intrigued me is DCAC EX ... I've used various "automatic" setup schemes since they were introduced and while I like the basic concept they baffled me how they could be totally accurate only using a mono microphone. Hint: they weren't. They gave a rough order of magnitude how loud each speaker is and even took a good guess at how far it was away from your listening position, but with a mono mic they couldn't really tell you if the speaker was too high or low or was too far to the right or left of optimum position or if the transducers were pointing right at you. Now equipped with a stereo microphone, DCAC EX is a significant improvement in making those calculations and attempts to autocorrect for positioning, aiming and phase. Does it work? Well, every room is different and my room is a definite challenge but I would say once you try it you will think previous methods are primitive by comparison.
A backward step considering how warm this receiver can get is that for some reason Sony reduced the surface area of the top vents almost by half. Looking inside the unit through the vents it appears there are less electronics inside. Maybe it runs cooler? I'll post some test results later on.
Coupled with the observations that the cabinet is smaller and there may also be less electronics inside the 1080. From my casual peek through the vent grill without opening the cabinet it does seem to have less electronics inside.
Sony, who is usually so good at keeping their user interface simple yet useful certainly accomplishes the former with the included remote control (if you use it ... I have my system under Harmony/Alexa control). Unlike the remotes of some other brands that have dozens of tiny buttons that control nearly everything their device can do, Sony chooses to offer only 26 buttons (plus the D-pad array ... 2 more buttons than the previous model) that are permanently labeled, some of them for functions a user may only rarely, or never, use. At the least I would have preferred to have a dedicated button for each of the inputs. You CAN remap the button functions to almost anything you want (including one cool custom button that can remember your exact preferences) but of course the permanent labels remain. I did remap it so there is a dedicated button for each of the 6 HDMI inputs and also 2 audio-only inputs but I had to resort to using stick-on labels to help me remember what they are.
One more real-life observation has to do with setup. Like my previous Sony receiver you can choose (or not) to have the unit go through a guided setup procedure. Oddly, Sony gives the user an option if they want to start by setting up either the network or speakers first. I highly recommend choosing to do the network first. When you do, it will seem like nothing’s happening and you may think your unit is defective. Be patient, for some reason it takes a long time for it to do some internal preliminary adjustments. The problem is it doesn’t tell you in any way what it’s doing. After a couple of minutes it finally got to asking me what my preferred language is, which is typically the most basic question a new device asks. From there the next screen needs to have you make some choices. It is one of the very few screens on this unit that isn’t as clear as it should be. Having used Sony setup screens before I was able to breeze through the network setup in about 30 seconds after that and it worked the first time as it should. By default the receiver will prompt you when there are any software/firmware changes (you can turn that auto-prompt off) but it would have been nice if the first time you turn it on it confirms that everything is up to date. I had to check manually to be sure.
HOW DOES IT SOUND
Having worked extensively in pro recording studios I have a pretty good audio memory. My home system has had a wide range of the major brands of AV equipment installed over recent years. Since I installed this receiver immediately after pulling a similar Sony model that is still shown as current at their website I can offer an opinion if there are any changes for better or worse in overall sound quality. Before I do I'll mention that in MY system there was no visible improvement in video quality but I have to clarify that it’s possible that the 1080 is ahead of the curve compared to the rest of my system. But as far as sound, yes there is some good news. Before I added the upper speakers, playing the identical source in the same way, I perceive a bit more clarity. By that I don't mean sharpness or brilliance ... those are to me traits that Sony is known for (as opposed to the warmer more natural sound some other brands are known for). With this generation Sony has opted for a slightly warmer sound. Dialogue sounds more like human voices than electronic loudspeakers. Low-end bass from the subwoofers (I have 3) is slightly tighter and less boomy. Overall it's more of a fine tuning exercise from Sony than a radical shift in the "Sony sound"
USER FRIENDLINESS
Sony has chosen not to dazzle with a lot of blue lights, chrome and buzzwords emblazoned on the front of the receiver. The styling is basic black and very restrained. The buttons are tiny and hard to read by comparison to some other brands. The input selector and volume knobs have a smooth feeling but does anyone really use them rather than the remote control and excellent on-screen menu instead? The remote, by the way, has very few dedicated buttons but what it does have can be user-customized. I use neither, preferring to control my system with a Harmony Elite/Echo combination. Finally, the on-screen menu (GUI) first introduced in its current form on the 1050 and slightly updated on this model is as good as it gets … crisp high-resolution graphics, clear easy to understand wording, logical choices all make for a superb user experience. The setup section is especially good, where you can dig deep and then even deeper into fine tuning controls that are accompanied by icons representing your speaker locations (which it knows without you having to tell it). Most of the adjustments allow you to hear the results of the audio changes in real time. That may not sound like a big deal but another well-known brand switches the audio off during setup adjustments which makes it pale by comparison to the Sony.
Reversing a common trend lately of not including a user manual with their products (a $3000 Sony camera I bought recently only has a one page manual), this receiver has an impressive amount of printed documentation included.
BOTTOM LINE
I originally bought the STR-DN1050 because after a lot of shopping it seemed like the best value, all things considered. If you have a 1040, 1050, 1060 or 1070 the 1080 may not be the quantum leap to cause you to replace your old receiver. Moving up a few generations of this model is in some ways like upgrading the OS on your computer or smartphone ... the device still does the same basic thing but better with little improvements that make your experience that much better. If this is your first look at Sony and you are seeking a receiver that ticks (most of) the boxes in terms of being compatible and keeping up with technology, the 1080 is worth giving serious consideration.
Why a 5 rating then? Per guidelines I lean toward giving things I like a positive 4, rarely higher, with that extra point reserved for best of class. This receiver isn't in that best-of-best stratified league but it's hard to dispute that it is exceptionally high on overall value, functionality and usability and for those factors it earns 4+. Putting all those aside though, I believe Sony hits a home run here with what I call enjoyability of multimedia listening. It simply sounds better than any full-functioned multi-channel receiver I’ve owned when used for home theater, which is the way I'm using it ... more natural, more accurate and yes, more impressive. All that's important to me as I continue to update and upgrade my video components and I seek to keep up to speed on the audio side as well. To be sure this is not the best audiophile-grade MUSIC amp I've heard, far from it, but that's not what it's designed to be. But for home theater the score is 4.75
12-30-17 Update - I like the receiver so much that I purchased another one for a different room. Set up was much harder. The HDMI A with ARC was not operational and I was about to return the receiver But I did not want to give up yet so I connected the TV to the HDMI B port. The receiver's menu was now displayed. I promptly performed a software update. Took an hour. I then switched the TV back to the HDMI A port and it worked. I finished the auto set-up and all is great. This unit connects to a samsung 8500 series 4K Tv with the external smart hub, it is not compatible with the HDMI control and it seems to be the reason why the HDMI A port did not work from out of the box. The sound is amazing, as this is primarily used for x Box 1 X gaming.
Owned it for 1 day, here's the scoop. It replaces an Onkyo TXNR757 that cost over $1,000 from 6 years ago. The onkyo, after 1 year, would no longer support 1080 video through the receiver, the image was blurred and pixelated. My samsung HDTV supported many HDMI outputs, so I bypassed the HDMI ports on the Onkyo and simply used it for the surround sound by using the optical input from the TV. This was a great fix for the next 5 years, but also a disappointment since the onkyo was broken but out of warrantee.
Technology has advanced with 4k and Atmos that I decided to upgrade the receiver. In doing my research, for the money, the Onkyo provided a lot more features than the Sony but I do not trust this brand anymore. CNET, WIKI, and Everyone else put their reputations on this Sony model.
Connecting the old wires from the Onkyo receiver to the Sony was a breeze. I repurposed the 7.1 system into a 5.1.2 for Atmos. very simple. The 4K Samsung DVD player does not support atmos!! I returned it for the Sony 4K blue ray player - glad that I did as the sony has a ton more features at the same price.
The sony 4k blue ray player, Apple HD TV, and the Optimum Cable Set-top box are all connected to the Sony Receiver with 4K compliant HDMI cables. The receiver is connected to the Samsung 6500 series 4K TV with 4K HDMI cable and a fiber optic audio connection. The fiber optic cable is to support the amazon prime video streaming that is controlled by the samsung tv. However, I might start streaming through the blue ray player because it supports the dobly atmos decoding technology.
In setting up the receiver, I needed to tell the Receiver that I have a 5.1 system with 2 dolby (FD) ceiling bounce speakers. Then I ran the easy-set-up calibration. The sony "learned" about the AV connections, and did an excellent job with the speaker location and such.
The sound is as rich and full as the 5 year old Onkyo that cost twice as much and has 15 watts more power per channel. The sony adds 4k and Atmos. The Samsung's TV remote will control the Sony Receiver for sound, on/off, and "up/down/left/right/enter" functions. It pretty much removes the need to keep the Receiver's remote on the coffee table - very nice.
The image quality that goes through the receiver is as good as when I have the AV components connected directly to the Samsung TV (The TV supports 4K up conversion). By having all of the connections going through the receiver, the day-to-day operation of watching TV is less complicated than when the AV was split between the old Onkyo and the TV - its easier to use. I do not need to continueally change the "source" setting on the TV. This was a multi-year complaint from my family with regard to the older Onkyo system.
To get the Atmos to work, I had to call Sony Tech Support. There is a setting in the Sony Blue Ray Player that must be disabled. Once it is "off", you simply press the "movie" button until dobly surround is on the display. By pushing the "display" button, it will show DAtmos.
I watched San AnDreas. In 5.2.1, the sounds were strong and room filling. When I enabled the Atmos, the clearity of each item on the screen was distinct. The boat that went crashing through the waves created a sound where I could hear the motor, waves, and the spray - crystal clear - is just one example. It was very noticeable how Atmos is different than 7.1.
I watched John Wick Part 1. Having watched the movie many times with the older Onkyo system, there were only 3 differences in the sound based on previous viewings. 1) In the scenes where it rains, the sound is clearly louder, crisper, and coming from the atmos height speakers. 2) The bass was much more powerful - it made the house shake. I ended up lowering the volume on the subwoofer as I was concerened that the pictures would bounce off the walls. 3) Everything sounded crisper, like the high-notes / glass breakage sounds were much more distinct.
Compared to the Onkyo, there are a few features that I miss - 1) The sony has only 1 optical input 2) The sony does not allow you to push a front panel button to select the source, you turn a knob and it scrolls through the choices 3) the sony does not offer a front panel button to select the exact sound decoder, instead you must scroll through the choices
Bottom Line: My first day was very positive. Settup was super easy. To get ATMOS to work, I had to call sony about the sony 4K blue ray player (not about the receiver). The sound quality is better than a system that cost me twice as much while also bringing in all of the latest features such as 4K and Atmos. In most cases, the Receiver's remote is not needed, as it works with the Samsung 6500 series TV's remote and this reduces the clutter on my coffee table. The Black Friday sale was a wonderful savings from Amazon. I just purchased another unit for a different room in the house.
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Ahora por parte del producto sinceramente tiene una calidad de audio sorprendente, Sony ha demostrado que te da calidad por lo que pagas, Sony piensa en los clientes exigentes de calidad tanto en audio y video, y este producto no se quedó atrás. Creo que no tiene caso que indique las especificaciones de este producto, porque la verdad tiene excelente calidad de audio, he escuchado el audio de otros receptores de marcas como Onkyo y Denon, y la verdad el Sony STRDN1080 no se queda abajo, los watts que comprende para cada altavoz es excelente, comprende las ultimas tecnologías de audio, video y conectividad, cosa que no cualquier receptor posee. Su calidad de sonido es sorprendente, aunque no cuento con altavoces de alta resolución, los altavoces con que cuento son igual de la marca Sony y la verdad vives la experiencia en películas, como dicen por acá, sientes la vibra. A pesar de que no poseo el subwoofer activo, en su configuración puedes seleccionar con cuantos altavoces cuentas y si tienes o no el subwoofer y ya el receptor se encarga de lo demás.
Sin duda recomiendo el producto, lo adquirí por aquí, porque en México no venden receptores de audio Sony ni siquiera en linea, aquí un punto menos por parte de Sony México, quien debería vender este tipo de productos , ya que los clientes tienen que acceder por ventas fuera del país para adquirir estos productos, aunque un día llamé al centro de atención Sony y pregunté por qué no vendían estos productos aquí en México, al cual me respondió quien me atendía que el motivo era su alto costo, y al ser productos de alto valor no eran muy vendidos en el país, por ello no lo vendían, pero en fin, la compra de este producto en línea ha sido unas de las comprar que me han dejado altamente satisfecho, saludos.