Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 vs Denon AVR-S970H

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Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

Elite VSX-LX105 vs AVR-S970H comparison chart

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 vs Denon AVR-S970H review

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105
vs
Denon AVR-S970H

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 and Denon AVR-S970H takes place. We estimated the compared receivers and both received a 8.3 out of 10 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX105 is 2021, and AVR-S970H is 2022.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 over Denon AVR-S970H

  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 90/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Main advantages Denon AVR-S970H over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105

  • HDMI CEC is present.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

Elite VSX-LX105
8
AVR-S970H
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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 Elite VSX-LX105 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S970H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 210/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response20Hz-20KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX105 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S970H - 8.

Elite VSX-LX105
9
AVR-S970H
8

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-S970H 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-S970H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room CorrectionAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

Elite VSX-LX105
8
AVR-S970H
8

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

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB2 (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.

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix

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, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 got 7 points, but Denon AVR-S970H received 8 points.

Elite VSX-LX105
7
AVR-S970H
8

Competitors in our review have 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-S970H features HDMI CEC.

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
HDMI input/output6/26/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input00
Component input/output00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 Elite VSX-LX105 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 10 for the AVR-S970H.

Elite VSX-LX105
8
AVR-S970H
10

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz8K/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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSyncx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX105 got 9 points, but the AVR-S970H has 10.

Elite VSX-LX105
9
AVR-S970H
10

Denon AVR-S970H has the ECO mode.

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon 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 featuresApp Control, Sonos Connect controlIP Control, Web Control, App Control, RS232 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.

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control AppHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)10

Multichannel surround

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S970H got 8.

Elite VSX-LX105
7
AVR-S970H
8

Elite VSX-LX105 AVR-S970H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby 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-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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