To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Pioneer VSX-LX301 and Yamaha RX-A870BL review. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX301 received 8 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-A870BL was rated 8.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. This review shows us that the RX-A870BL is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the VSX-LX301.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 8 points out of 10.
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. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 100/8, 170/6/8 W/Ohm.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 170/6 | 100/8 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.06 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-LX301 10 out of 10, and the RX-A870BL - 8.
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. Pioneer VSX-LX301 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | YPAO |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer | CINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT, Extra Bass |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 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 Yamaha RX-A870BL.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✔ |
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.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM |
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 VSX-LX301 got 8 points, but Yamaha RX-A870BL received 9 points.
Pioneer VSX-LX301 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-A870BL has 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 8/2 |
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 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 2 |
Composite input | 2 | 1 |
Component input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX | 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 VSX-LX301 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the RX-A870BL.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
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 | analog to HDMI |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | x.v.Color, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX301 got 8 points, but the RX-A870BL has 10.
Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The RX-A870BL can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa. Yamaha RX-A870BL has the ECO mode.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | 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.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | FlareConnect | MusicCast |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 1 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
VSX-LX301 | RX-A870BL | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS Neo:X | DTS-EXPRESS, DTS Neo:6 Cinema, DTS Neo:6 Music |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |