A workhorse that delivers music and movie excellence

This Sony receiver is a popular choice due to its versatility and fantastic audio quality. There's high-current amplification for your speakers, or you can use the preamp outputs to supercharge your entire surround system with separate amplifiers. For larger homes, you can have 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. Three 4K compatible HDMI inputs can handle SACD/CD players or older DVD/Blu-ray players.

All the surround sound you can handle

With 11 channels of built-in high-powered amplification, you can set up your surround sound your way. Use all 11 channels for a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X Pro 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 the new Sony 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-AZ5000ES'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-AZ5000ES and select the correct input automatically.

Product highlights:

Power and processing:

• 11-channel amplifier

• 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD, with 2 channels driven

• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X® surround sound decoding

  • Dolby Speaker Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X® create three-dimensional effects without height speakers

• IMAX® Enhanced reproduces the full dynamic range of specially encoded IMAX soundtracks from compatible sources

• Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping calibrate the sound to match your room and speaker configuration for an expansive, immersive soundstage

• Sony's DSEE Ultimate accurately upscales audio to near-high-resolution sound quality

• built-in high-performance 32-bit DAC

• premium componentry meets ES standards for audio performance

• control the receiver with your smartphone using the Sony Music Center app

• compatible with Sony's SA-RS3S and SA-RS5 wireless rear speakers and SA-SW3 and SASW5 wireless subwoofers

Digital and streaming music options:

• Chromecast built-in for streaming over Wi-Fi with a wide range of compatible apps on your mobile device

• works with Google Assistant voice control devices (sold separately)

• Spotify® Connect lets you play music using the Spotify app on your mobile device (subscription required)

• Apple AirPlay 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone® or iPad® and ask Siri to play Apple Music®

  • supports multi-room audio with compatible wireless speakers

• built-in Bluetooth for wireless music listening with smartphones, tablets, and compatible computers

• compatible with Sonos Port — receiver turns on automatically and sets the right input when selected in the app

• works as a Roon player (requires subscription and Roon Core running on your network)

  • Roon Core is media server software that runs on your computer, NAS drive, or other compatible hardware

Multi-room audio/video:

• three-room/three-source output

• HDMI dual-zone switching for watching video content from different sources in two zones simultaneously

• powered stereo output for Zone 2

• analog stereo audio outputs (variable) for Zones 2 and 3

Connections:

• HDMI 2.1 audio/video switching: 7 in, 2 out (including 1 front-panel input)

  • 4 rear-panel inputs support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video

  • 1 front-panel input supports 4K video

  • HDCP 2.3 technology ensures compatibility with Ultra HD sources and TVs

  • supports HDR10, Dolby Vision®, HLG, and IMAX Enhanced

• gaming-optimized video processing technologies for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience

  • Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) reduce or eliminate lag and frame tearing

• supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

  • eARC receives uncompressed surround sound signals including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via the HDMI connection with your compatible TV

• 2 composite video inputs

• 2 composite video outputs

• digital audio inputs: 2 optical and 1 coaxial

• 4 analog stereo audio line-level inputs

• no phono input — to connect a turntable you'll need to add a phono preamp

• 11.2-channel preamp outputs for use with optional external power amps

• outputs for 11 speakers (Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Surround Back L/R, Height 1 L/R, Height 2 L/R)

• front-panel USB port for firmware updates and system setting backup

• detachable power cable

General features:

• center channel enhancements include Center Speaker Lift Up, BRAVIA™ Acoustic Center Sync, and Dual Center Speaker

• intuitive on-screen user interface (via HDMI only)

  • setup via the front panel, through the Graphical User Interface (GUI), or with a web browser

• remote control

• FM tuner

• built-in support for Control4, Crestron, Savant, and other home automation systems

• RS-232C and remote (IR) connections for use with optional third-party controllers

• three 12-volt trigger outputs for sending power commands to external gear, like a power amplifier or cooling fan

• Ethernet port for wired connectivity to your network

• 16-15/16"W x 7-5/8"H x 18-5/8"D (9-3/4"H with Wi-Fi antennas raised)

• weight: 42.4 lbs.

• warranty: 5 years

What's in the box:

• 11.2ch AV receiver

• 5' AC power cord

• Front-panel conver

• Remote control (RMT-AA511U)

• 2 "AAA" batteries

• Automatic calibration microphone

• 3-Piece mic stand

• FM wire antenna

• Operating Instructions

• Startup Guide

• Speaker Connection Note

• Warranty Information

• End User License Agreemet