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Sony STR-AZ3000ES vs Denon X3800H
The nine-channel ES Sony vs the Denon default — which should you buy?
The short answer
Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H for a bass-serious room — four independent sub outs plus XT32, and it's the only one of the two with a rated amplifier. Buy the Sony STR-AZ3000ES for the most documented HDMI section at this tier: six stated full-bandwidth 2.1 ports at a stated 48 Gbps.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Sony STR-AZ3000ES states 6 HDMI 2.1 ports; the Denon AVR-X3800H states 6. How we verify this data → Both drive nine channels; from there the two sheets argue different cases — the Sony documents its digital section, the Denon documents its amplifier and its bass management.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED| Spec | Sony STR-AZ3000ES | Denon AVR-X3800H |
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| Price | $2,198 | $1,399 |
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| Brand | Sony | Denon |
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| Channel Config | 7.1.2 | 9.4 |
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| Main Channels | 9 | 9 |
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| Processing Channels | 12 | 11 |
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| Sub Pre Outs | 2 | 4 |
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| Height Channels | 2 | 4 |
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| Zone 2 Capable | Yes | Yes |
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| Zone 3 Capable | Yes | No |
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| Impedance Range | 4 ohms to 16 ohms | 4-16 Ω/ohms |
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| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
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| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
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| Imax Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
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| Room Correction System | Sony DCAC IX | Audyssey MultEQ XT32 |
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| Measurement Mic Included | Yes | Yes |
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| HDMI Inputs | 6 | 6 |
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| HDMI Outputs | 2 | 3 |
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| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.1 |
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| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 48 | 40 |
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| HDMI 21 Port Count | 6 | 6 |
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| HDMI Earc Port Count | 1 | 1 |
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| Max Passthrough Resolution | 8K 60 | 8K 60 |
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| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR |
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| VRR Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
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| ALLM Support | Yes | Yes |
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| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
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| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
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| Airplay2 | Yes | Yes |
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| Ip Control | Yes | Yes |
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| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect | TuneIn, Spotify Connect, Pandora, Qobuz |
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| Trigger Outputs Count | 1 | 1 |
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| Form Factor | full size | full size |
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| Watts Per Channel 8ohm | not stated | 105 |
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| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | not stated | 135 |
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| THD Percent | not stated | 0.08 |
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| Power Measurement Channels Driven | not stated | two channels driven |
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| Impedance Min Ohms | not stated | 4 |
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| Impedance Max Ohms | not stated | 16 |
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| Auro 3d | not stated | Yes |
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| Phono Input | not stated | Yes |
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| Heos | not stated | Yes |
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| Alexa Built In | not stated | Yes |
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| Width Inches | not stated | 17.1 |
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| Height Inches | not stated | 6.6 |
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| Depth Inches | not stated | 14.9 |
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| Weight Lbs | not stated | 16.8 |
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| Power Consumption W | not stated | 660 |
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Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
The amplifier disclosure is lopsided: the Denon states 105W at 8Ω, two channels driven, 0.08% THD — fully qualified — while the AZ3000ES states no power figure in our data at all. The digital disclosure runs the other way: the Sony states six full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports at 48 Gbps and twelve processing channels; the Denon's port count is unstated, its curated bandwidth 40 Gbps, its processing eleven. Bass management is the Denon's clearest stated win: four independent subwoofer pre-outs to the Sony's two. Both state 4–16Ω impedance ratings.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Sony STR-AZ3000ES drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Sony STR-AZ3000ES states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Can the Denon AVR-X3800H drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Denon AVR-X3800H states a 4Ω-minimum rating; the KEF LS50 Meta dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum, a little below that floor. Most receivers handle a marginal dip at normal volumes — it's worth watching only at very high output on an entry-level unit.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
Check either one against your own build →Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
How many HDMI 2.1 ports do the Sony STR-AZ3000ES and Denon AVR-X3800H have?
Sony STR-AZ3000ES states 6 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports; Denon AVR-X3800H states 6. Full-bandwidth ports are the ones that carry 4K/120 and VRR — the count that matters for wiring multiple current-gen consoles.
Can the Sony STR-AZ3000ES and Denon AVR-X3800H pass 4K/120 through?
The Sony STR-AZ3000ES states 48 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120; the Denon AVR-X3800H states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Denon AVR-X3800H for a bass-serious room — four independent sub outs plus XT32, and it's the only one of the two with a rated amplifier. Buy the Sony STR-AZ3000ES for the most documented HDMI section at this tier: six stated full-bandwidth 2.1 ports at a stated 48 Gbps.
Multi-sub bass managementDenon AVR-X3800H — 4 independent subwoofer pre-outs stated vs 2.
A rated amplifier sectionDenon AVR-X3800H — 105W at 8Ω/2ch/0.08% stated; the Sony's power is unstated in our data — stated beats absent.
Console-dense HDMI racksSony STR-AZ3000ES — 6 stated full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports at 48 Gbps; the Denon states no port count.
What our normalized data adds
NOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS- Amplifier disclosure is one-sided: Denon 105W fully qualified (8Ω/2ch/0.08% THD); the AZ3000ES states NO power figure in our data — flagged, never estimated.
- HDMI disclosure inverts: Sony states 6 full-bandwidth 2.1 ports at 48 Gbps; the Denon's port count is unstated with a curated 40 Gbps.
- 4 vs 2 independent subwoofer pre-outs — the stated bass-management gap XT32 calibrates individually on the Denon.
- Both state 4–16Ω impedance ratings — the low-impedance pairing floor is equal.
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