Denon AVR-S960H vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-S960H vs Elite VSX-LX105 comparison chart

Denon AVR-S960H vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 review

Denon AVR-S960H
vs
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-S960H and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-S960H received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 was rated 8.3 points. The release date of AVR-S960H is 2020, and Elite VSX-LX105 is 2021. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that Elite VSX-LX105 has better performance than AVR-S960H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S960H over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

  • HDMI CEC is present.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 over Denon AVR-S960H

  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-S960H
7
Elite VSX-LX105
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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-LX105 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S960H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm90/8, 125/6100/8, 210/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz20Hz-20KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-S960H 6 out of 10, and the Elite VSX-LX105 - 9.

AVR-S960H
6
Elite VSX-LX105
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-LX105.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-S960H 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.

AVR-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/A192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-S960H scored 10, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-S960H
10
Elite VSX-LX105
8

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Denon AVR-S960H.

AVR-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (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-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Qobuz, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud

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-S960H got 8 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 received 7 points.

AVR-S960H
8
Elite VSX-LX105
7

Competitors in our review have 6/2 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-S960H features HDMI CEC.

AVR-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
HDMI input/output6/26/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input20
Component input/output2/20
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 8 out of 10.

AVR-S960H
8
Elite VSX-LX105
8

AVR-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz8K/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 featuresHLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-S960H got 10 points, but the Elite VSX-LX105 has 9.

AVR-S960H
10
Elite VSX-LX105
9

Only the Denon AVR-S960H has the ECO mode.

AVR-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
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 Control, RS-232 Control, App ControlApp Control, Sonos Connect control

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-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemotePioneer Control App
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

AVR-S960H
7
Elite VSX-LX105
7

AVR-S960H Elite VSX-LX105
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby 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-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here