Pioneer VSX-LX301 vs Pioneer SC-LX502

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX301 vs SC-LX502 comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX301 vs Pioneer SC-LX502 review

Pioneer VSX-LX301
vs
Pioneer SC-LX502

An overview of Pioneer VSX-LX301 and Pioneer SC-LX502 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX301 received 8 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer SC-LX502 was rated 8.1 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that VSX-LX301 is inferior in audio processing features to SC-LX502.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX301 over Pioneer SC-LX502

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Pioneer SC-LX502 over Pioneer VSX-LX301

  • 120/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 8 points out of 10.

VSX-LX301
8
SC-LX502
8

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. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the SC-LX502 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-LX301 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 170/6120/8, 225/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

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

VSX-LX301
10
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.

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bitAK4458 768 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

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

VSX-LX301
8
SC-LX502
8

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

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
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.

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, 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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.

VSX-LX301
8
SC-LX502
8

Competitors in our review have 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
HDMI input/output7/27/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output1/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
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 the VSX-LX301 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the SC-LX502.

VSX-LX301
9
SC-LX502
10

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
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, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX301 got 8 points, but the SC-LX502 has 7.

VSX-LX301
8
SC-LX502
7

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
Voice control
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.

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectFlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.

VSX-LX301
7
SC-LX502
7

VSX-LX301 SC-LX502
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS Neo:XDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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