Denon AVR-X540BT vs Pioneer VSX-LX503

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X540BT vs VSX-LX503 comparison chart

Denon AVR-X540BT vs Pioneer VSX-LX503 review

Denon AVR-X540BT
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX503

Being able to compare Denon AVR-X540BT and Pioneer VSX-LX503 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X540BT received 5.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 was rated 8.6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. VSX-LX503 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the AVR-X540BT.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X540BT over Pioneer VSX-LX503

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX503 over Denon AVR-X540BT

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 120/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 3 multi-room zones support, VSX-LX503 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • 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 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-LX503
9

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-LX503 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-LX503 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-X540BT it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X540BT VSX-LX503
Channels5.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/6120/8, 230/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
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-LX503 - 9.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-LX503
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-LX503.

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-LX503
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCompressed Audio RestorerAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X540BT scored 6, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-LX503
8

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

AVR-X540BT VSX-LX503
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-LX503
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesTIDAL, PandoraDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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-LX503 received 8 points.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-LX503
8

Denon AVR-X540BT is equipped with 5/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX503 has a Phono interface.

AVR-X540BT VSX-LX503
HDMI input/output5/17/2
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 input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output0/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, 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 AVR-X540BT were rated 6 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX503.

AVR-X540BT
6
VSX-LX503
10

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-LX503.

AVR-X540BT VSX-LX503
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
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 featureshas notDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 8 out of 10.

AVR-X540BT
8
VSX-LX503
8

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-LX503 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant. Only the Denon AVR-X540BT has the ECO mode.

AVR-X540BT VSX-LX503
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
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 notIP 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-LX503
Multi-room zoneshas not3
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X540BT got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX503 got 7.

AVR-X540BT
5
VSX-LX503
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-LX503 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-LX503.

AVR-X540BT VSX-LX503
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro LogicDolby Digital Plus
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-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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