Pioneer VSX-935 vs Denon AVR-S970H

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Votes 4 4
Rating 5 5

VSX-935 vs AVR-S970H comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-935 vs Denon AVR-S970H review

Pioneer VSX-935
vs
Denon AVR-S970H

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Pioneer VSX-935 and Denon AVR-S970H takes place. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-935 received 7.6 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S970H was rated 8.3 points. The release date of VSX-935 is 2021, and AVR-S970H is 2022. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that AVR-S970H has better performance than VSX-935.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-935 over Denon AVR-S970H

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Denon AVR-S970H over Pioneer VSX-935

  • 90/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 80/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • HDMI CEC is present.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 7 points out of 10.

VSX-935
7
AVR-S970H
7

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 AVR-S970H this value is 90/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-935 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm80/8, 170/690/8, 125/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response20Hz-20KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-935 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S970H - 8.

VSX-935
9
AVR-S970H
8

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Denon AVR-S970H has Pure Direct mode.

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. Denon AVR-S970H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audioAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

VSX-935
8
AVR-S970H
8

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

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
USB2 (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.

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloudDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix

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, Pioneer VSX-935 got 7 points, but Denon AVR-S970H received 8 points.

VSX-935
7
AVR-S970H
8

Competitors in our review have 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The AVR-S970H features HDMI CEC.

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
HDMI input/output6/26/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input00
Component input/output00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, phones, setup mic
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-935 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 10 for the AVR-S970H.

VSX-935
8
AVR-S970H
10

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10+HDR10+
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSyncx.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-935 got 9 points, but the AVR-S970H has 10.

VSX-935
9
AVR-S970H
10

Denon AVR-S970H has the ECO mode.

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AIAmazon 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 featuresApp Control, Sonos Connect controlIP Control, Web Control, App Control, RS232 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-935 AVR-S970H
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control AppHEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Pioneer VSX-935 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S970H got 8.

VSX-935
7
AVR-S970H
8

VSX-935 AVR-S970H
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height VirtualizationDolby 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-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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