360 Spatial Sound Mapping 8K 7.2 Ch AV Receiver | STR-AN1000 by Sony

The biggest issue with just about everyone’s surround sound set-up now a days is the lack of clarity in the dialogue when it comes to watching movies/games/sporting events and even music and the main reason for this is receiver’s that most people are using. I’m happy to say that the Sony AN1000 fixes this issue, I was blown away with how I could FINALLY hear the dialogue between characters and that I didn’t have to turn my surround sound up only to lower it during the action scene taking place 20 seconds after the conversation. Not only was the clarity in the conversations great when the 5.1 surround was on it even worked for 2.1 channel incase your watching old videos or listening to record player.Sony has done a great job in every aspect of this receiver, the ... MoreThe biggest issue with just about everyone’s surround sound set-up now a days is the lack of clarity in the dialogue when it comes to watching movies/games/sporting events and even music and the main reason for this is receiver’s that most people are using. I’m happy to say that the Sony AN1000 fixes this issue, I was blown away with how I could FINALLY hear the dialogue between characters and that I didn’t have to turn my surround sound up only to lower it during the action scene taking place 20 seconds after the conversation. Not only was the clarity in the conversations great when the 5.1 surround was on it even worked for 2.1 channel incase your watching old videos or listening to record player.Sony has done a great job in every aspect of this receiver, the set up is simple and the prompts are easy to follow and understand. The updating is quick and easy, you can see it on the display screen and the wifi performance for downloads is quick and install is without issue. For the initial setup you will need a tape measurer if you want the perfect sound I would highly recommend not guessing the distances and measure as instructed.The AN1000 is packed with every feature imaginable for listening from chromecast/Spotify connect/Airplay and works with Sonos (with adapter). The AN1000 supports all the latest and greatest audio formats (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X , DTS: virtual). I did notice that the AN1000 tends to keep the sound more true to life and does not overly dramatize explosions/affects, this isn’t to say that the explosions/affects are toned down I would say they are more cinematic sounding. Sony also allows you to add wireless rear speakers and sub for those of us that don’t want to run wires in walls. When it comes to music Sony provides 360 Spatial sound mapping which you can turn on and if available is a game changer, 360 spatial sound mapping is to audio what OLED was to screen’s is the only way I can describe it.Speaking of screens and viewing experience the AN1000 supports all the latest HDR quality standards for passthrough viewing. All of the standards (HDR10,Dobly Vision/HLG/IMAX enhanced) work and I appreciate the fact that they will scroll across the screen of the AN1000 so you know what your getting. I used this with the PS5 and all of the benefits were available (HDR, VRR, ALLM). There are 6 HDMI inputs in the back which can upconvert video being past through if needed and the addition of 8k helps make the receive future proof. Paired with my 65 inch OLED all images that passed through the Sony looked great with no screen tearing or any distortion.The Sony offers a bunch features which have it punching above its weight class, the addition of zone 2 and 3 makes the AN1000 a versatile product that can become the center of your home entertainment hub. While using the AN1000 the CEC function worked amazing and let me control everything through one remote.I only had 2 issues with the AN1000 one is the app, the app navigation is a bit clunky but im hoping this can be fixed with an update to be a bit more streamlined/easier to navigate. Second is when using the receiver as a passthrough sometimes the Sony AN1000 setting screen shows up overlaid over the streaming device content which is a bit cumbersome but not a deal breaker.Overall this is one of the best receivers I have ever used and would highly recommend it to everyone.

KEY FEATURESSupports HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, and IMAX EnhancedSupports Dolby Atmos and DTS:XHDCP 2.3 Compliant and HDMI 2.1 Compatible with ALLM & VRR for gaming.Supports 4K and 8K Input & OutputBluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Spotify, and AirPlay Compatible6 HDMI Inputs / 2 HDMI Outputs1 Optical Input / 1 Coaxial InputINITIAL SET-UPSony has spent a lot of time during their absence in the home theater receiver market to thoroughly revamp not only their entire line-up, but also their user interface and set-up procedure. Once all your connections are made on the back of the receiver, the initial receiver set-up and calibration procedure is the easiest I’ve ever used from any manufacturer. I’ve been fortunate enough to own receivers from nearly all the major ... MoreKEY FEATURESSupports HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, and IMAX EnhancedSupports Dolby Atmos and DTS:XHDCP 2.3 Compliant and HDMI 2.1 Compatible with ALLM & VRR for gaming.Supports 4K and 8K Input & OutputBluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Spotify, and AirPlay Compatible6 HDMI Inputs / 2 HDMI Outputs1 Optical Input / 1 Coaxial InputINITIAL SET-UPSony has spent a lot of time during their absence in the home theater receiver market to thoroughly revamp not only their entire line-up, but also their user interface and set-up procedure. Once all your connections are made on the back of the receiver, the initial receiver set-up and calibration procedure is the easiest I’ve ever used from any manufacturer. I’ve been fortunate enough to own receivers from nearly all the major players in this field over the years and the new Sony interface, while almost generic looking, is simple and easy to master.A big portion of the easy set-up should be credited to Sony and their Digital Cinema Auto Calibration program. It is a very thorough calibration process. I strongly advise getting a laser distance measurer, as you will be asked to take many different measurements throughout your room. Nothing complicated, but it is slightly time consuming. The calibration program considers many different parameters, including seating position, distance, screen height, ceiling height, etc. Any one that has used the Audyssey or Dirac room calibration programs should be pleased with the results of the Sony proprietary calibration programming. After a series of measurements and test tones, including subs, phase matching, level matching, etc. the Digital Cinema Auto Calibration will complete, and the end results are impressive.SOUND QUALITYThis is my first Sony home theater receiver I’ve had in a long time and after initial use, it brings back old memories. My first test was using Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos encoded music from Amazon Music Unlimited. This receiver is just like the Sony receivers of old. While sound quality is always totally subjective, this receiver is no where near as warm sounding as my current receiver. I favor the warm, richer sounds of my current receiver for music playback, always have, that’s what led me to my current manufacturer. The Sony doesn’t sound bad, far from it. It just sounds more neutral, cooler, and in a sense, a little thinner. I listened to dozens of songs from all genres: country, rock, classic rock, rap, classical, etc. All exhibited the same trait. They sounded fine, just lacking that warmth and finesse my current receiver gives.Next up, is what you buy a home theater receiver for. Movies. The Sony Digital Cinema Auto Calibration was very comprehensive, so let’s see if the Sony can pull it off when it comes to an immersive home theater experience. Sony claims their technology can create a series of “phantom speakers” giving the user a much more enveloping sound field like you get it a movie theater. First up was a 4k, Dolby Atmos encoded movie from Amazon Prime. It sounded OK, but it left me wanting. Bass was flat and the sound track while clear, was not convincing. Next up, Top Gun: Maverick on an Ultra HD Blu-ray in my Sony 4k Blu-Ray player. Same results. OK, but not impressive. This is exactly what I expected from an entry level receiver. Fiddling with some settings, I found the Movie button on the tiny Sony remote. This allows you to toggle between different sound modes, included in those are Dolby Mode and DTS:X Mode. Do these modes make a difference? Yes, a jaw dropping difference. The little Sony came alive and so did the movies. Bass hit hard, jets were screaming all around, the little Sony became a true cinematic machine. The movie was a blast to watch again.NEGATIVESThere is no getting around it. The remote sucks. It’s tiny, it’s hard to read, especially in a light controlled room, there is no tactile feedback with the buttons, they are all flat with no special humps, or bumps to let you know which button your finger is on and most importantly, it is not backlit. Ugh. I hate not having a backlit remote.Because this is an entry-level receiver, there are no Pre-Amp outputs to expand the system past 7.1 and for those interested, there is also no Phono Pre-Amp.The included stereo microphone for room calibration has too short of a cord. I sit 15’ from my screen and the included microphone is just too short. Luckily, I had a 10’ 3.5mm stereo headphone extension cable on hand so I could complete my room calibration.While the Sony advertises Sonos compatibility, it does not have Sonos “built-in”. By compatible, it means that it works with a Sonos Port. The Port will turn the receiver on and off as well as selecting the correct input when you connect, but this receiver does not stream via the Sonos app without additional hardware.CONCLUSIONTo quote a boxing metaphor, the little Sony STR-AN1000 is a Featherweight hitting in the Welterweight class. Dollar for dollar, the Sony is bringing its A-Game to the table. There is just a lot to like about this little powerhouse. Vocals are colder than I like for music playback (this isn’t so much a negative, as a personal preference), but the Sony makes magic happen with movies. The sound is strong and enveloping. The Sony room calibration is precise and much better at speaker matching than Audyssey. Which, I found quite surprising as Audyssey is touted like it’s the gold standard. Whether it be movies or using multi-channel stereo playback of audio tracks, the sound from my speakers is much more cohesive, dynamic, and punchy than I could ever get it with my old receiver and Audyssey. Believe me I tried and tried. I tried automatic. I tried manual. I used an SPL meter. The Sony implementation and calibration is much better.Don’t let Sony’s odd-ball power rating of 165W x 1 sway you from the receiver (The sticker on the front of the receiver touts 165W x 7, but the Sony website is more accurate at 165W x 1. There is no way this receiver is 165W x 7). A majority of the power needed by speakers is for bass reproduction. Since most folks have a powered sub or two in their theaters, the lower power rating really isn’t a big issue. Coming from a receiver rated at 125W x 7, I didn’t notice any real power difference, as I use the low pass filter to let the subs do the heavy lifting, thereby freeing the receiver from power hungry bass chores. The little Sony never sounded strained or thin at higher volumes.At the end of the day, it all comes down to this. Does the Sony bring enough to the table to replace my existing receiver that is several years old and cost more than 2x the price of this one? The answer is: Yes. The Sony won me over watching movies on it. My home theater has never sounded better and more convincing.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This compact and physically light receiver (just under 21 pounds out of the box) is specified to do virtually anything you might ask of a modern AV receiver. The relatively light weight actually worried me, especially when I compared this device to the AVR it replaced from several years ago that was much heavier to lift.My fears turned out to be unfounded. My listening room is small, but the STR-AN1000 easily drove my Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition front and center speakers to very loud levels and the presentation was clean, unrestrained and with absolutely no edginess. My HSU subwoofer, of course, was self-powered and my vintage NHT surrounds absolutely came to life with their new power source. Since my main speakers present an 8-ohm load, I doubt ... MoreThis compact and physically light receiver (just under 21 pounds out of the box) is specified to do virtually anything you might ask of a modern AV receiver. The relatively light weight actually worried me, especially when I compared this device to the AVR it replaced from several years ago that was much heavier to lift.My fears turned out to be unfounded. My listening room is small, but the STR-AN1000 easily drove my Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition front and center speakers to very loud levels and the presentation was clean, unrestrained and with absolutely no edginess. My HSU subwoofer, of course, was self-powered and my vintage NHT surrounds absolutely came to life with their new power source. Since my main speakers present an 8-ohm load, I doubt they are getting the 100 watts per channel output that Sony specifies since the Sony spec is into a 6-ohm load. It did not matter, as I could not hear any strain or constraint when I drove my 8-ohm speakers.My surround set up is 5.1 and my current monitor is only 4K, but this Sony has me ready for 8K when I am able to make that addition to my equipment.Set up was straightforward. I had been advised to be prepared to make measurements at set up, and I was ready with an inexpensive laser measure which allowed quick confirmation of speaker placement with the calibration microphone. The instructions stated that the process might take a while, but it was completed in just a few minutes. The receiver takes you through a guided set-up of the process.I do have a couple of quibbles. The process for memorizing the frequencies for my local FM stations was counter-intuitive and took longer than I expected. Reception with the supplied wire antenna was just fine, once the stations were programmed.Unfortunately, the receiver does not have an input for a low-level source like a phono cartridge. You would either have to get your own pre-amp if you want to use a turntable, or you would have to have a Bluetooth turntable like Sony's PS-LX310BT, which I fortunately had. I had not used it for a while since my living room home theatre set up is not conducive to using a turntable. With the STR-AN1000, I was able to pair with the turntable in my personal listening room in seconds. Now if I could only find enough space for my old record albums in my newly-equipped lair!The remote is compact, but unlighted. The big blue HOME button helps direct traffic. Press it, and you will see a graphic to either WATCH video sources or LISTEN to audio only sources. After pressing WATCH, the remote allows me to navigate between the TV, my Blu-Ray Player and my Roku box. Press LISTEN, and I choose between FM radio, the turntable, or, for example, Spotify.There are six HDMI inputs and two of them are 8K ready. This receiver is compatible with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX enhanced, and dts:x. No, I have not tried them all. Suffice it to say, the Dolby surround experience is full and wonderful in my listening room. On my favorite movies, sound placement is precise and exciting. I am getting a better surround experience than my older equipment was capable of producing. And I have no complaints about the music presentation either. Rock, jazz, or classical, Sony handles them all with aplomb.One thing that has not changed for the better, and I don't single out Sony for this criticism, is that CEC over HDMI still is not mixed component friendly. If you have an all Sony set up, I am sure your Sony remote can turn all your components on with a press of the receiver's ON button, and vice-versa. I could not control my non-Sony components using the CEC feature. I was relegated to using the individual remotes for specific tasks that I wanted to perform with them.The STR-AN1000 is a handsome, practical, and versatile do-it-all AVR and I highly recommend it.