Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 vs Pioneer SC-LX501

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

Elite SC-LX904 vs SC-LX501 comparison chart

Overall
Pioneer Elite SC-LX904
9.2
Pioneer SC-LX501
8.1
10
8
10
8

Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 review

Pioneer Elite SC-LX904
vs
Pioneer SC-LX501

The Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 vs Pioneer SC-LX501 comparison makes sense because it shows what devices in their segments can offer. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 received 9.2 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer SC-LX501 was rated 8.1 points. The release date of Elite SC-LX904 is 2019, and SC-LX501 is 2016. Elite SC-LX904 is more suitable as the heart of home theater system than its opponent - SC-LX501.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 over Pioneer SC-LX501

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 140/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 120/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but Elite SC-LX904 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer SC-LX501 over Pioneer Elite SC-LX904

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

Elite SC-LX904
10
SC-LX501
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 supports 11.2-channels sound, but Pioneer SC-LX501 supports a 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 SC-LX904 this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the SC-LX501 it is 120/8 W/Ohm.

Elite SC-LX904 SC-LX501
Channels11.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm140/8120/8, 180/6
Output impedance, Ohm88, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz20Hz-20KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 10 of 10 for both receivers.

Elite SC-LX904
10
SC-LX501
10

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 SC-LX904 SC-LX501
Digital to analog converter (DAC)ES9026PRO 384 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

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

Elite SC-LX904
8
SC-LX501
8

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

Elite SC-LX904 SC-LX501
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 SC-LX904 SC-LX501
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, PandoraDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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 SC-LX904 got 9 points, but Pioneer SC-LX501 received 7 points.

Elite SC-LX904
9
SC-LX501
7

Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 is equipped with 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer SC-LX501 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Pioneer Elite SC-LX904.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer SC-LX501 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Elite SC-LX904 SC-LX501
HDMI input/output7/37/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input32
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input22
Component input/output2/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, HDMI, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.

Elite SC-LX904
10
SC-LX501
10

Elite SC-LX904 SC-LX501
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite SC-LX904 got 9 points, but the SC-LX501 has 8.

Elite SC-LX904
9
SC-LX501
8

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 Elite SC-LX904 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa.

Elite SC-LX904 SC-LX501
Voice controlAmazon Alexa
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 featureshas notIP 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 SC-LX904 SC-LX501
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control App, FlareConnectPioneer Control App, FlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

Pioneer Elite SC-LX904 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer SC-LX501 got 7.

Elite SC-LX904
8
SC-LX501
7

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 SC-LX904 licensed by IMAX.

Elite SC-LX904 SC-LX501
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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