Brandwave

Denon vs Sony:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Denon had more branded searches than Sony among AV receiver brands in New Zealand. Denon had about 210 branded searches, while Sony had 40. Denon made up 22.3% of all AV receiver brand searches we track, and Sony accounted for 4.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AV receiver brands, Denon appeared in all four answers and Sony in two. Denon was mentioned before Sony in every answer.

Among AV receiver brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Denon, about 5 searches for every 1 for Sony

Denon 210 searchesSony 40 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Denon, mentioned in every answer we collected

Denon in 4 of 4Sony in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Denon, named ahead of Sony in every answer

Denon first in 3Sony never first

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Top AV receiver brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Denon appeared in all four answers. Sony was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Denon was listed before Sony in every answer.

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.

Is Denon or Sony more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Denon and Sony by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five AV receiver brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Denon and Sony among AV receiver brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Denon, 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%

How has the Denon and Sony comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Denon was ahead of Sony in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Denon’s share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand moved from 21.2% to 22.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 210.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among AV receiver brands in New Zealand moved from 8.1% to 4.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 80 to 40.

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

2 changes

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

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

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

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

Denon

1 branded search term

  • denon

Sony

2 branded search terms

  • sony av receiver
  • sony receiver

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among AV receiver brands

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