Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-X1800H and Pioneer VSX-LX505 takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X1800H received 7.7 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX505 was rated 9.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2023. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that VSX-LX505 has better performance than AVR-X1800H.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X1800H supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-LX505 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 VSX-LX505 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-X1800H it is 80/8 W/Ohm.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 80/8, 120/6 | 120/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X1800H 10 out of 10, and the VSX-LX505 - 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 VSX-LX505.
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-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X1800H scored 8, and Pioneer VSX-LX505 scored 9 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 2 (USB 2.0) | 2 (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.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, 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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.
Denon AVR-X1800H is equipped with 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX505 has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/1 | 6/2 |
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 | 2 | 3 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 2 |
Composite input | 0 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | 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 the AVR-X1800H were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX505.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | 8K/60Hz |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✖ | ✔ |
Other video features | Dynamic HDR, Variable Refresh Rate, Quick Frame Transport, Auto Low Latency Mode | Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode |
In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 10 out of 10.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
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 |
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 | IP Control, Web Control, App Control | IP Control, Web Control, App 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.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote | Pioneer Control App |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 2 |
Denon AVR-X1800H got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX505 got 9.
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 VSX-LX505 licensed by IMAX.
AVR-X1800H | VSX-LX505 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Atmos Music, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | DSD, LPCM |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✔ |