Denon AVR-X540BT vs Pioneer VSX-935

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X540BT vs VSX-935 comparison chart

Denon AVR-X540BT vs Pioneer VSX-935 review

Denon AVR-X540BT
vs
Pioneer VSX-935

Let's compare Denon AVR-X540BT versus Pioneer VSX-935 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X540BT received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-935 was rated 7.6 points. The release date of AVR-X540BT is 2018, and VSX-935 is 2021. And as a result of the comparison, VSX-935 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than AVR-X540BT.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X540BT over Pioneer VSX-935

  • HDMI CEC is present.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-935 over Denon AVR-X540BT

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 80/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, VSX-935 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-935
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X540BT supports 5.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-935 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 VSX-935 this value is 80/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-X540BT it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X540BT VSX-935
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/680/8, 170/6
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-X540BT 6 out of 10, and the VSX-935 - 9.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-935
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-935.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-X540BT 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-X540BT VSX-935
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCompressed Audio RestorerAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X540BT scored 6, and Pioneer VSX-935 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-935
8

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

AVR-X540BT VSX-935
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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-X540BT VSX-935
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesTIDAL, PandoraDeezer, 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-X540BT got 6 points, but Pioneer VSX-935 received 7 points.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-935
7

Denon AVR-X540BT is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-935 has 6/2 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 on Pioneer VSX-935.

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-X540BT 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 Denon AVR-X540BT in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Pioneer VSX-935 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-935 has a Phono interface.

AVR-X540BT VSX-935
HDMI input/output5/16/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input20
Component input/output0/00
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 the AVR-X540BT were rated 6 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-935.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-935
8

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 AVR-X540BT works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the VSX-935 has the 4K/120Hz.

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 on Pioneer VSX-935.

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 with Pioneer VSX-935.

AVR-X540BT VSX-935
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
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 featureshas notDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X540BT got 8 points, but the VSX-935 has 9.

AVR-X540BT
8
VSX-935
9

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The VSX-935 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Denon AVR-X540BT has the ECO mode.

AVR-X540BT VSX-935
Voice controlAmazon 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 featureshas notApp 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-X540BT VSX-935
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notPioneer Control App
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X540BT got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-935 got 7.

AVR-X540BT
5
VSX-935
7

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Pioneer VSX-935 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the VSX-935.

AVR-X540BT VSX-935
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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