Let's compare Onkyo TX-RZ920 versus Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-RZ920 received 8.4 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of TX-RZ920 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 TX-RZ920.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 9 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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 TX-RZ920 this value is 135/8 W/Ohm, and for the Elite VSX-LX304 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.
TX-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 135/8, 175/6 | 100/8, 225/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 5Hz-100KHz | 5Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.04 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the TX-RZ920 8 out of 10, and the 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.
TX-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4490 384 KHz/32-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | AccuEQ | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio, Dynamic Audio Amplification | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio |
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-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 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-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora |
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, Onkyo TX-RZ920 got 9 points, but Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 received 7 points.
Onkyo TX-RZ920 is equipped with 8/2 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 Onkyo TX-RZ920.
TX-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/2 | 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 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 0 |
Component input/output | 2/0 | 0/0 |
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-RZ920 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the Elite VSX-LX304.
TX-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
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 | HLG, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-RZ920 got 8 points, but the Elite VSX-LX304 has 9.
TX-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | colour OSD | 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 | has not | has not |
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-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Onkyo Controller app, FlareConnect | Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 2 |
Onkyo TX-RZ920 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 got 8.
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. The Elite VSX-LX304 licensed by IMAX.
TX-RZ920 | Elite VSX-LX304 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby 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-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✔ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |