Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 vs Denon AVR-X2500H

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Elite VSX-LX305 vs AVR-X2500H comparison chart

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 vs Denon AVR-X2500H review

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305
vs
Denon AVR-X2500H

The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 vs Denon AVR-X2500H comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 received 8.5 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-X2500H was rated 8 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX305 is 2021, and AVR-X2500H is 2018. Elite VSX-LX305 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - AVR-X2500H.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 over Denon AVR-X2500H

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 95/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X2500H over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305

  • HDMI CEC is present.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

Elite VSX-LX305
9
AVR-X2500H
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-X2500H 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-LX305 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-X2500H it is 95/8 W/Ohm.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 225/695/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response20Hz-20KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX305 9 out of 10, and the AVR-X2500H - 10.

Elite VSX-LX305
9
AVR-X2500H
10

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-X2500H 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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Denon AVR-X2500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4490 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ XT
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room CorrectionAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 scored 8, and Denon AVR-X2500H scored 7 out of 10.

Elite VSX-LX305
8
AVR-X2500H
7

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

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud

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, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 got 7 points, but Denon AVR-X2500H received 8 points.

Elite VSX-LX305
7
AVR-X2500H
8

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-X2500H has 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305.

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-X2500H features HDMI CEC.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Denon AVR-X2500H has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
HDMI input/output7/28/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input02
Component input/output02/1
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsHDMI, USB, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic
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 Elite VSX-LX305 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 6 for the AVR-X2500H.

Elite VSX-LX305
8
AVR-X2500H
6

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-LX305 works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the AVR-X2500H 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-LX305.

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 only with Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSyncBT.2020, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX305 got 9 points, but the AVR-X2500H has 10.

Elite VSX-LX305
9
AVR-X2500H
10

Denon AVR-X2500H has the ECO mode.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle
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 featuresApp Control, Sonos Connect controlIP Control, Web 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.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control AppHEOS App
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-X2500H got 7.

Elite VSX-LX305
8
AVR-X2500H
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-LX305 licensed by IMAX.

Elite VSX-LX305 AVR-X2500H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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