Denon AVR-X3500H vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X3500H vs Elite VSX-LX304 comparison chart

Denon AVR-X3500H vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 review

Denon AVR-X3500H
vs
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

Let's compare Denon AVR-X3500H versus Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X3500H received 8.4 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of AVR-X3500H 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-X3500H.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X3500H over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

  • 105/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 over Denon AVR-X3500H

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but Elite VSX-LX304 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Amplifiers

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

AVR-X3500H
8
Elite VSX-LX304
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X3500H supports 7.2-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 AVR-X3500H this value is 105/8 W/Ohm, and for the Elite VSX-LX304 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm105/8, 135/6100/8, 225/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz5Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X3500H 8 out of 10, and the Elite VSX-LX304 - 9.

AVR-X3500H
8
Elite VSX-LX304
9

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-X3500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AKM 192 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32MCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC, Compressed Audio RestorerAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.

AVR-X3500H
8
Elite VSX-LX304
8

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

AVR-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
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.

AVR-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, 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-X3500H got 8 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 received 7 points.

AVR-X3500H
8
Elite VSX-LX304
7

Denon AVR-X3500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

AVR-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
HDMI input/output8/37/2
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 input21
Composite input20
Component input/output1/10/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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-X3500H were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the Elite VSX-LX304.

AVR-X3500H
10
Elite VSX-LX304
8

AVR-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X3500H got 10 points, but the Elite VSX-LX304 has 9.

AVR-X3500H
10
Elite VSX-LX304
9

Only the Denon AVR-X3500H has the ECO mode.

AVR-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, 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 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-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppPioneer Control App, FlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)12

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X3500H got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 got 8.

AVR-X3500H
7
Elite VSX-LX304
8

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-X3500H Elite VSX-LX304
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby 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-EXPRESS, DTS-SurroundDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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