Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AVR-X8500HSP vs Elite VSX-LX105 comparison chart

Overall
Denon AVR-X8500HSP
9.6
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105
8.3
10
8
10
10

Denon AVR-X8500HSP vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 review

Denon AVR-X8500HSP
vs
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Denon AVR-X8500HSP and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 takes place. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-X8500HSP received 9.6 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 was rated 8.3 points. The release date of AVR-X8500HSP is 2018, and Elite VSX-LX105 is 2021. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVR-X8500HSP has better performance than Elite VSX-LX105.

Main advantages Denon AVR-X8500HSP over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

  • More channels, namely 13, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 150/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but AVR-X8500HSP has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • HDMI CEC is present.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 over Denon AVR-X8500HSP

  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

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

AVR-X8500HSP
10
Elite VSX-LX105
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-X8500HSP supports 13.2-channels sound, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 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-X8500HSP this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the Elite VSX-LX105 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

AVR-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
Channels13.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm150/8, 190/6100/8, 210/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz20Hz-20KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-X8500HSP 10 out of 10, and the Elite VSX-LX105 - 9.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
Elite VSX-LX105
9

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-X8500HSP 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-X8500HSP can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

AVR-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4490 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32MCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-X8500HSP scored 9, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 scored 8 out of 10.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
Elite VSX-LX105
8

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

AVR-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound CloudDeezer, 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-X8500HSP got 10 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 received 7 points.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
Elite VSX-LX105
7

Denon AVR-X8500HSP is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 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-X8500HSP 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-X8500HSP in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

AVR-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
HDMI input/output8/36/2
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 input21
Composite input40
Component input/output3/10
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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-X8500HSP were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the Elite VSX-LX105.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
Elite VSX-LX105
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-X8500HSP works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the Elite VSX-LX105 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 Elite VSX-LX105.

AVR-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresBT.2020, HLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-X8500HSP got 10 points, but the Elite VSX-LX105 has 9.

AVR-X8500HSP
10
Elite VSX-LX105
9

Only the Denon AVR-X8500HSP has the ECO mode.

AVR-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
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 ControlApp 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-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR RemotePioneer Control App
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)21

Multichannel surround

Denon AVR-X8500HSP got 9 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 got 7.

AVR-X8500HSP
9
Elite VSX-LX105
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-X8500HSP 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-X8500HSP licensed by IMAX.

AVR-X8500HSP Elite VSX-LX105
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-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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