Denon AVR-S640H vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-S640H vs Elite VSX-LX304 comparison chart

Denon AVR-S640H vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 review

Denon AVR-S640H
vs
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

Let's compare Denon AVR-S640H versus Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S640H received 6.2 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of AVR-S640H is 2018, and Elite VSX-LX304 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, Elite VSX-LX304 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than AVR-S640H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S640H over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 over Denon AVR-S640H

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 75/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 3 multi-room zones support, Elite VSX-LX304 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-S640H
6
Elite VSX-LX304
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-S640H supports 5.2-channels sound, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 supports a 9.2-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the Elite VSX-LX304 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S640H it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
Channels5.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm75/8, 100/6100/8, 225/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz5Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S640H 6 out of 10, and the Elite VSX-LX304 - 9.

AVR-S640H
6
Elite VSX-LX304
9

Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible on the Elite VSX-LX304.

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S640H scored 7, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-S640H
7
Elite VSX-LX304
8

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)11
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Denon AVR-S640H got 6 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 received 7 points.

AVR-S640H
6
Elite VSX-LX304
7

Denon AVR-S640H is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
HDMI input/output5/17/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input20
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the AVR-S640H were rated 6 out of 10 against the 8 for the Elite VSX-LX304.

AVR-S640H
6
Elite VSX-LX304
8

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresBT.2020, HLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S640H got 10 points, but the Elite VSX-LX304 has 9.

AVR-S640H
10
Elite VSX-LX304
9

Only the Denon AVR-S640H has the ECO mode.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USBnetwork, USB
Other additional featuresIP Control, Web Controlhas not

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
Multi-room zoneshas not3
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notPioneer Control App, FlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-S640H got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 got 8.

AVR-S640H
5
Elite VSX-LX304
8

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the Elite VSX-LX304.

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. The Elite VSX-LX304 licensed by IMAX.

AVR-S640H Elite VSX-LX304
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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