Marantz SR8012 vs Pioneer VSX-934

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR8012 vs VSX-934 comparison chart

Marantz SR8012 vs Pioneer VSX-934 review

Marantz SR8012
vs
Pioneer VSX-934

Let's compare Marantz SR8012 versus Pioneer VSX-934 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Marantz SR8012 received 9.5 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-934 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of SR8012 is 2017, and VSX-934 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, SR8012 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than VSX-934.

Main advantages Marantz SR8012 over Pioneer VSX-934

  • 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 80/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but SR8012 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-934 over Marantz SR8012

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 10 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

SR8012
10
VSX-934
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR8012 supports 11.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-934 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 SR8012 this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-934 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

SR8012 VSX-934
Channels11.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm140/8, 175/680/8, 165/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SR8012 10 out of 10, and the VSX-934 - 9.

SR8012
10
VSX-934
9

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. Marantz SR8012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

SR8012 VSX-934
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32MCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

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

SR8012
8
VSX-934
8

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

SR8012 VSX-934
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (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.

SR8012 VSX-934
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora

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, Marantz SR8012 got 10 points, but Pioneer VSX-934 received 7 points.

SR8012
10
VSX-934
7

Marantz SR8012 is equipped with 8/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-934 has 6/2 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 Marantz SR8012.

SR8012 VSX-934
HDMI input/output8/36/2
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 input21
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input40
Component input/output3/10/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 SR8012 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-934.

SR8012
9
VSX-934
10

SR8012 VSX-934
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 featuresBT.2020, HLGHLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the SR8012 got 10 points, but the VSX-934 has 6.

SR8012
10
VSX-934
6

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 SR8012 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Marantz SR8012 has the ECO mode.

SR8012 VSX-934
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
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 featuresIP Controlhas not

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.

SR8012 VSX-934
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz AVR Remote App, HEOS AppFlareConnect
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Marantz SR8012 got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-934 got 7.

SR8012
10
VSX-934
7

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Marantz SR8012 has Auro-3D on its feature list.

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 SR8012 licensed by IMAX.

SR8012 VSX-934
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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