Denon AVR-X8500H vs Pioneer VSX-935

vs

Let's compare Denon AVR-X8500H versus Pioneer VSX-935 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500H received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-935 was rated 7.6 points. The release date of AVR-X8500H is 2018, and VSX-935 is 2021. And as a result of the comparison, AVR-X8500H seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than VSX-935.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500H over Pioneer VSX-935

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-935 over Denon AVR-X8500H

Amplifiers

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

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500H supports 13.2-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 AVR-X8500H this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-935 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500H 10 out of 10, and the VSX-935 - 9.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-X8500H 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-X8500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

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

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Denon AVR-X8500H.

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

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-X8500H got 10 points, but Pioneer VSX-935 received 7 points.

Denon AVR-X8500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-935 has 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

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-X8500H 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-X8500H in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Pioneer VSX-935 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

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-X8500H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-935.

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-X8500H 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.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X8500H got 10 points, but the VSX-935 has 9.

Only the Denon AVR-X8500H has the ECO mode.

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.

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500H got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-935 got 7.

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Denon AVR-X8500H has Auro-3D on its feature list.

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 AVR-X8500H licensed by IMAX.