Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 vs Marantz CINEMA 40

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Review of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 versus Marantz CINEMA 40 will reveal the best features offered by the devices. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 received 8.7 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz CINEMA 40 was rated 9.1 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX505 is 2021, and CINEMA 40 is 2022. CINEMA 40 is better suited for home theater use than the Elite VSX-LX505. Its sound profile is better balanced.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 over Marantz CINEMA 40

Main advantages Marantz CINEMA 40 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505

Amplifiers

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

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-LX505 it is 120/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX505 9 out of 10, and the 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.

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 scored 8, and Marantz CINEMA 40 scored 9 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 Marantz CINEMA 40.

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, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 got 7 points, but Marantz CINEMA 40 received 9 points.

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 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.

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-LX505 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the CINEMA 40.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX505 got 9 points, but the CINEMA 40 has 10.

Marantz CINEMA 40 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

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz CINEMA 40 got 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.