Denon AVR-X8500H vs Pioneer VSX-LX503

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X8500H vs VSX-LX503 comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Pioneer VSX-LX503 review

Denon AVR-X8500H
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX503

Being able to compare Denon AVR-X8500H 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-X8500H received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 was rated 8.6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. AVR-X8500H is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the VSX-LX503.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500H over Pioneer VSX-LX503

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 9-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 120/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX503 over Denon AVR-X8500H

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

AVR-X8500H
10
VSX-LX503
9

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-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 AVR-X8500H this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-LX503 it is 120/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500H VSX-LX503
Channels13.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 250/6120/8, 230/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500H 10 out of 10, and the VSX-LX503 - 9.

AVR-X8500H
10
VSX-LX503
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-X8500H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X8500H VSX-LX503
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490EQ 768 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 LFCAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

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

AVR-X8500H
8
VSX-LX503
8

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.

AVR-X8500H 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-X8500H VSX-LX503
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, 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-X8500H got 10 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX503 received 8 points.

AVR-X8500H
10
VSX-LX503
8

Denon AVR-X8500H is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 has 7/2 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 Denon AVR-X8500H.

AVR-X8500H VSX-LX503
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 input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input42
Component input/output3/11/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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-X8500H were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX503.

AVR-X8500H
9
VSX-LX503
10

AVR-X8500H 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 HDMIanalog 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-X8500H got 10 points, but the VSX-LX503 has 8.

AVR-X8500H
10
VSX-LX503
8

Only the Denon AVR-X8500H has the ECO mode.

AVR-X8500H VSX-LX503
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIGoogle Assistant
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 Control, Web ControlIP 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-X8500H VSX-LX503
Multi-room zones33
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS AppFlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500H got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX503 got 7.

AVR-X8500H
10
VSX-LX503
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.

AVR-X8500H VSX-LX503
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
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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