Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA3100ES vs Elite VSX-LX304 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA3100ES vs Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 review

Sony STR-ZA3100ES
vs
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

Let's compare Sony STR-ZA3100ES versus Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-ZA3100ES received 6.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of STR-ZA3100ES is 2017, and Elite VSX-LX304 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, Elite VSX-LX304 seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than STR-ZA3100ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA3100ES over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 over Sony STR-ZA3100ES

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 70/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but Elite VSX-LX304 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
Elite VSX-LX304
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-ZA3100ES supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 supports a 9.2-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 VSX-LX304 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA3100ES it is 70/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
Channels7.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm70/8, 90/6100/8, 225/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz5Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA3100ES 7 out of 10, and the Elite VSX-LX304 - 9.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
Elite VSX-LX304
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.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresSound OptimizerAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA3100ES scored 6, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
Elite VSX-LX304
8

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304.

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

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
Wi-Fi
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.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, 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, Sony STR-ZA3100ES got 9 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 received 7 points.

STR-ZA3100ES
9
Elite VSX-LX304
7

Sony STR-ZA3100ES is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 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 Sony STR-ZA3100ES.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the Elite VSX-LX304 has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
HDMI input/output6/27/2
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 output01 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input20
Component input/output2/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, setup micUSB, 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 STR-ZA3100ES were rated 7 out of 10 against the 8 for the Elite VSX-LX304.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
Elite VSX-LX304
8

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 Elite VSX-LX304.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
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 conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLGDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-ZA3100ES got 6 points, but the Elite VSX-LX304 has 9.

STR-ZA3100ES
6
Elite VSX-LX304
9

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 VSX-LX304 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
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 nothas 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.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notPioneer Control App, FlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/21/1
DC trigger output (12V)32

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-ZA3100ES got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 got 8.

STR-ZA3100ES
7
Elite VSX-LX304
8

Rivals in this competition licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA3100ES Elite VSX-LX304
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-HDDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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