Sony STR-DN1080 vs Sony STR-DN1050

STR-DN1080 vs STR-DN1050 comparison chart

Sony STR-DN1080 vs Sony STR-DN1050 review

Sony STRDN1050 vs Sony STRDN1080

Sony STRDN1050 vs Sony STRDN1080: Are the Enhancements Worth the Money?

Going to purchase an AV receiver from the famous Sony company, the customers commonly compare Sony STRDN1080 vs STR-DN1050 popular and high-performance models. Are the innovations, DTS:X and Dolby Atmos formats worth extra money? Does the advanced amp sound deeper and milder? Let’s check.

Features

The basic difference between the new home theater and its predecessor is definitely the revolutionary Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats. The users also like its enhancements, such as:

  • a 4K repeater to have the data passed through, avoiding the image quality compromising
  • HDR and HDCP 2.2 support
  • the additional (second) Wi-Fi antenna
  • the improved (DCAC EX) auto calibration
  • Google Home compatibility
  • Phantoms Surround Back that sounds the way if more speakers were enabled

Sony STR-DN1050 still has some benefits Versus its advanced counterpart. It comes with a user-friendly interface, easy to navigate menu and very convenient features. It is equipped with a handy remote and it can be controlled from your smartphone. However, as Sony discontinued the SongPal app support for the device that was the key reason for some customers to purchase the receiver, it’s a disappointing issue for multiple users. The old model is much less powerful than the innovative model, being worse in terms of volume that is powered down in some hours due to built-in thermal protection. Additionally, most users don’t like the manual for STR-DN1050 considering it to be sparse and insufficient, designed for electronic access only.

Connections

Paralleling Sony STR-DN1050 vs STRDN1080, we see that one HTMI output, all connectivity jacks and 1 Toslink optical port were removed from the innovative model. However, it’s not a problem, as all new TVs are equipped with multiple inputs, and the available number of input and outputs is sufficient. Meanwhile, the sixth HTMI output was reestablished to the rear panel from the front one, making the access much easier. And the available BD/DVD and CD/SACD HDMI outputs of the STRDN1080 receiver are optimized for audio quality.

Performance

When we compare the sound that both devices produce, the advanced model is certainly the winner. The sound of the STR-DN1050 is described as muscular and big. It is balanced, standing out by wide sound field and spacious midrange. The amp plays rhythmic and dynamic music, producing cohesive sound. However, the newer model produces deeper, milder and more natural sound versus its older counterpart. Due to the cutting edge Dolby-Atmos format, the surround effects are impressive. The sound feels authentic as if an additional speaker was installed just under the ceiling.

Conclusion

Sony STR-DN1080 is the advanced model that comes with additional formats and important enhancements, enabling natural deep sound and impressive surrounding effects. On the contrary, its predecessor is feature-rich, easy to set up and use, coming with a handy remote.

Sony STR-DN1050 review

Famous as 2014 Award winner, the amp is easy to use. It comes with an enjoyable menu and handy remote, producing muscular, well-balanced sound. However, as the app support is discontinued and Sony advises the customers to opt for an upgraded model, what shall we do?

Pros:

  • feature-rich
  • easy to use
  • big sound

Cons:

  • not powerful enough that results in not sufficient volume
  • discontinued app

Sony STR-DN1080 review

The amp features several enhancements such as innovative formats, Google Home compatibility, intuitive calibration. It produces natural, mild, deep sound that still lacks some bass performance and solidity.

Pros:

  • dynamic performance
  • mild, natural sound
  • precise calibration

Cons:

  • minimalist user interface
  • low-end remote

Votes 5 5
Rating 5 5
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Common

Product

Sony STR-DN1080
Sony STR-DN1050

Model

STR-DN1080
STR-DN1050

Brand

Sony
Sony

Reviews

778
270

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

120/6
120/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.09
0.09

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

96 KHz/24-bit
96 KHz/24-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

DCAC EX
DCAC EX

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Hi-Res audio, DSEE HX
Hi-Res audio, DSEE HX

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay
AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

TIDAL, Pandora
has not

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

6/2
6/3

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)

HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)

HDMI CEC

Digital content protection (HDCP)

HDCP 2.2
HDCP 2.2

Subwoofer output (LFE)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
2

Coaxial digital input

1
1

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

0/0
2/1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, phones, setup mic
USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10

4K signal pass-through

4K/60Hz
4K/60Hz

8K signal pass-through

HDMI signal pass-through

3D signal pass-through

HDMI pass-through in standby mode

Video conversion

analog to HDMI
analog to HDMI

Analog to HDMI scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

has not
DeepColor

Additional features

Voice control

Google assistant
Google assistant

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

fluorescent
fluorescent

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

network, USB
network, USB

Other additional features

NFC
NFC

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

Music Center
Music Center

RS-232

0
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

0
0

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos

Dolby TrueHD

Dolby Surround

Dolby (other)

Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital Plus

DTS:X

DTS HD Master

DTS Virtual:X

DTS Neural:X

DTS (other)

DTS-ES, DTS 96/24
DTS-ES, DTS 96/24

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

240
240

Standby consumption, W

0.4
0.4

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43 x 15.6 x 33/17 x 6 x 13
43 x 15.6 x 33/17 x 6 x 13

Weight, kg/lbs

9.1/19.8
9.1/19.8

Other

Release year

2017
2014
Sony STR-DN1080
Sony STR-DN1050
Sony STR-DN1080
Sony STR-DN1050

AV receivers CHooseratoR comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 7.3
  • 7.6
  • 7.3Sony STR-DN1080
  • 7.6Sony STR-DN1050