Brandwave

How popular isSony?

In September 2026, people searched for Sony by name about 28,000 times in New Zealand, a 12.4% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 4.3% of all New Zealand AV receiver brand searches, placing Sony fifth out of five brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AV receiver brands, Sony appeared in two of the four answers and was the fifth most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Sony is the fifth most searched of 5 competitors and the fifth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. MarantzShare of searches 30.9%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  2. OnkyoShare of searches 27.7%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  3. DenonShare of searches 22.3%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  4. YamahaShare of searches 14.9%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. SonyShare of searches 4.3%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
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Top AV receiver brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Sony was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Sony is the fifth most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Denon1st
  2. Yamaha2nd
  3. Marantz3rd
  4. Onkyo4th
  5. Sony5th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Denon4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Yamaha4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Marantz3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Onkyo3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Sony2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about AV receiver brands

4 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which AV receiver brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Denon
    2. 2Yamaha
    3. 3Onkyo
    4. 4Marantz

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best AV receiver brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Denon
    2. 2Yamaha
    3. 3Marantz
    4. 4Onkyo
    5. 5Sony

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best AV receiver brand in New Zealand for a home theatre?”

    1. 1Denon
    2. 2Yamaha
    3. 3Marantz
    4. 4Onkyo
    5. 5Sony

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best av receiver”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “home theatre receiver nz”

    1. 1Denon
    2. 2Yamaha

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Which AV receiver brands compete with Sony?

Sony against AV receiver brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Marantz, Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Sony. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMarantzOnkyoDenonYamahaSony
Oct 202526.3%30.3%21.2%14.1%8.1%
Nov 202523.8%29.7%25.7%11.9%8.9%
Dec 202522.5%33.3%23.4%12.6%8.1%
Jan 202625.4%34.7%22%11.9%5.9%
Feb 202628.6%31.2%22.1%13%5.2%
Mar 202617%31.8%29.5%14.8%6.8%
Apr 202622.6%28%28%12.9%8.6%
May 202620.6%26.8%26.8%18.6%7.2%
Jun 202627.8%26.7%23.3%15.6%6.7%
Jul 202632.4%24.1%24.1%13%6.5%
Aug 202636.6%23.8%20.8%13.9%5%
Sep 202630.9%27.7%22.3%14.9%4.3%

  1. 1.Marantz

    30.9%

    Held 1st. 290 estimated branded searches, -21.6% vs prior month. Share -5.8 points.

  2. 2.Onkyo

    27.7%

    Held 2nd. 260 estimated branded searches, +8.3% vs prior month. Share +3.9 points.

  3. 3.Denon

    22.3%

    Held 3rd. 210 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.

  4. 4.Yamaha

    14.9%

    Held 4th. 140 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1 points.

  5. 5.Sony

    4.3%

    Held 5th. 40 estimated branded searches, -20% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.

Compare popularity between Sony and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Sony

41 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Sony changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Sony in New Zealand rose from 24.9K to 28K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand decreased from 8.1% to 4.3%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand peaked at 8.9% in November 2025 and was lowest at 4.3% in September 2026.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand AV receiver brands in September 2026?

5 changes

  1. In September 2026, Onkyo gained share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand, from 23.8% to 27.7%.

  2. In September 2026, Denon gained share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand, from 20.8% to 22.3%.

  3. In September 2026, Yamaha gained share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand, from 13.9% to 14.9%.

  4. In September 2026, Marantz lost share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand, from 36.6% to 30.9%.

  5. In September 2026, Sony lost share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand, from 5% to 4.3%.

How are Sony’s branded searches counted?

25 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Sony’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • sony
  • sony android tv
  • sony av receiver
  • sony bluetooth headphones
  • sony bravia tv
  • sony camara
  • sony cyber shot
  • sony earbuds
  • sony earphones
  • sony headphones
  • sony led tv
  • sony lens
  • sony mirrorless
  • sony oled tv
  • sony receiver
  • sony turntable
  • sony tv
  • sony tv sale
  • sony wh 1000xm4
  • sony wh 1000xm5
  • sony wh 1000xm6
  • sony wired earphones
  • sony wired headphones
  • sony wireless earbuds
  • sony wireless headphones

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Who owns Sony?

Sony is owned by Sony. Brandwave also tracks PlayStation and PlayStation VR2, owned by the same company, in New Zealand.

Do you work for Sony? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

Where does Sony compete?

Sony is ranked in 17 competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Headphone brands3rd of 1013.4%Show ranking
Bluetooth headphones brands3rd of 810.5%Show ranking
Bluetooth earbuds brands3rd of 611.2%Show ranking
Earphones brands3rd of 611.3%Show ranking
Ear buds brands3rd of 411.3%Show ranking
Speaker brands2nd of 1219.6%Show ranking
Bluetooth speaker brands2nd of 821.3%Show ranking
Home cinema brands2nd of 822.9%Show ranking
Camera brands1st of 829.7%Show ranking
Soundbar with subwoofer brands2nd of 635.4%Show ranking
TV brands1st of 843.1%Show ranking
Camera lens brands1st of 756.1%Show ranking
Surround sound system brands1st of 856.5%Show ranking
Telephoto lens brands1st of 470.1%Show ranking
Wide angle lens brands1st of 470.1%Show ranking
Turntable brands4th of 56.5%Show ranking
AV receiver brands5th of 54.3%Shown above
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Sony your brand?

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