An overview of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 and Denon AVR-S950H will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 received 8.7 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S950H was rated 7.3 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX505 is 2021, and AVR-S950H is 2019. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that AVR-S950H is inferior in audio processing features to Elite VSX-LX505.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S950H supports a 7.2-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-LX505 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S950H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 120/8, 230/6 | 90/8, 125/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 20Hz-20KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX505 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S950H - 6.
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 only on the Elite VSX-LX505.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-S950H has Pure Direct mode.
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.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | AKM 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 scored 8, and Denon AVR-S950H scored 7 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✔ |
USB | 2 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix |
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, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 got 7 points, but Denon AVR-S950H received 8 points.
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S950H has 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The AVR-S950H features HDMI CEC.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 8/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✖ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
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 | 1 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | HDMI, USB, phones, setup mic | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✖ |
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 rivals in our comparison were rated 8 out of 10.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The Elite VSX-LX505 works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the AVR-S950H has the 4K/60Hz.
The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available only on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | ✖ |
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 features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX505 got 9 points, but the AVR-S950H has 10.
Denon AVR-S950H has the ECO mode.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
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 | App Control, Sonos Connect control | IP Control, Web Control |
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.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | Pioneer Control App | HEOS App |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 0 |
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S950H got 7.
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. Only the Elite VSX-LX505 licensed by IMAX.
Elite VSX-LX505 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✔ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |