Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 vs Marantz CINEMA 40

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Votes 4 4
Rating 4 4

Elite VSX-LX305 vs CINEMA 40 comparison chart

Overall
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305
8.5
Marantz CINEMA 40
9.1
9
8
10
10

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 vs Marantz CINEMA 40 review

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305
vs
Marantz CINEMA 40

Review of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 versus Marantz CINEMA 40 will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 received 8.5 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz CINEMA 40 was rated 9.1 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX305 is 2021, and CINEMA 40 is 2022. CINEMA 40 is better suited for home theater use than the Elite VSX-LX305. Its sound profile is better balanced.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 over Marantz CINEMA 40

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Marantz CINEMA 40 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305

  • 125/8 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 CINEMA 40 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • HDMI CEC is present.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

Elite VSX-LX305
9
CINEMA 40
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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 CINEMA 40 this value is 125/8 W/Ohm, and for the Elite VSX-LX305 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

Elite VSX-LX305 CINEMA 40
Channels9.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 225/6125/8, 165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response20Hz-20KHz5Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX305 9 out of 10, and the CINEMA 40 - 7.

Elite VSX-LX305
9
CINEMA 40
7

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Marantz CINEMA 40 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. Marantz CINEMA 40 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Elite VSX-LX305 CINEMA 40
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ XT
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room CorrectionAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Dirac Live Suppot, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 scored 8, and Marantz CINEMA 40 scored 9 out of 10.

Elite VSX-LX305
8
CINEMA 40
9

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 Marantz CINEMA 40.

Elite VSX-LX305 CINEMA 40
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (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-LX305 CINEMA 40
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-LX305 got 7 points, but Marantz CINEMA 40 received 9 points.

Elite VSX-LX305
7
CINEMA 40
9

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz CINEMA 40 has 7/3 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 CINEMA 40 features HDMI CEC.

Elite VSX-LX305 CINEMA 40
HDMI input/output7/27/3
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)24
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input02
Component input/output01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsHDMI, USB, 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-LX305 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the CINEMA 40.

Elite VSX-LX305
8
CINEMA 40
9

Elite VSX-LX305 CINEMA 40
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, LipSyncHLG, BT.2020, Dynamic HDR

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX305 got 9 points, but the CINEMA 40 has 10.

Elite VSX-LX305
9
CINEMA 40
10

Marantz CINEMA 40 has the ECO mode.

Elite VSX-LX305 CINEMA 40
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, AndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displaycolour OSDport hole OLED
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-LX305 CINEMA 40
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control AppMarantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/0
DC trigger output (12V)23

Multichannel surround

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz CINEMA 40 got 10.

Elite VSX-LX305
8
CINEMA 40
10

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. Marantz CINEMA 40 has Auro-3D on its feature list.

Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.

Elite VSX-LX305 CINEMA 40
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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