An overview of Onkyo TX-RZ830 and Pioneer SC-LX502 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-RZ830 received 8 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer SC-LX502 was rated 8.1 points. The release date of TX-RZ830 is 2018, and SC-LX502 is 2017. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that TX-RZ830 is inferior in audio processing features to SC-LX502.
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. The Onkyo TX-RZ830 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Pioneer SC-LX502 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 SC-LX502 this value is 225/6 W/Ohm, and for the TX-RZ830 it is 180/6 W/Ohm.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 180/6 | 120/8, 225/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 5Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the TX-RZ830 9 out of 10, and the SC-LX502 - 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.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Pioneer SC-LX502 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | AK4458 768 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | AccuEQ | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Advanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer |
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.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 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.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, TuneIn Radio | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio |
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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.
Competitors in our review have 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 7/2 |
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 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 1/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | HDMI, phones, setup mic | 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 TX-RZ830 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the SC-LX502.
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 with Pioneer SC-LX502.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | 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 scaling | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-RZ830 got 8 points, but the SC-LX502 has 7.
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 TX-RZ830 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Google Assistant | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | fluorescent | 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 | IP Control | IP Control |
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.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Onkyo Controller app, FlareConnect | FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 2 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
TX-RZ830 | SC-LX502 | |
---|---|---|
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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |