Let's compare Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 versus Denon HEOS AVR for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 received 8.5 points out of 10 possible, and Denon HEOS AVR was rated 4.8 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX304 is 2019, and HEOS AVR is 2017. And as a result of the comparison, Elite VSX-LX304 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than HEOS AVR.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon HEOS AVR supports a 5.1-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-LX304 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the HEOS AVR it is 50/8 W/Ohm.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 5.1 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 225/6 | 50/8, 65/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 5Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.05 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX304 9 out of 10, and the HEOS AVR - 5.
Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the Elite VSX-LX304.
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.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | N/A |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | ✖ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio | has not |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 scored 8, and Denon HEOS AVR scored 7 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | ✔ | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud |
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-LX304 got 7 points, but Denon HEOS AVR received 5 points.
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon HEOS AVR has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the Elite VSX-LX304 has a Phono interface.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 4/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 1 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX | ✖ |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✖ |
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-LX304 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 5 for the HEOS AVR.
HDR pass-through gives you the possibility to broadcast HDR content directly from source to TV without the processing of the receiver. HDR support is available only on the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304.
Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | ✖ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | ✖ | ✖ |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✖ |
Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 | has not |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX304 got 9 points, but the HEOS AVR has 4.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | ✖ |
Tuner | AM, FM | ✖ |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✖ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✖ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✖ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✖ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | has not |
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-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | has not |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | has not |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | has not |
Multi-room control | Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect | HEOS App |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 0 |
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon HEOS AVR got 5.
Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.
DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the Elite VSX-LX304.
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 Elite VSX-LX304 licensed by IMAX.
Elite VSX-LX304 | HEOS AVR | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby Pro Logic |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | has not |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |