An overview of Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 and Pioneer VSX-LX301 will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 received 8.5 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX301 was rated 8 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX304 is 2019, and VSX-LX301 is 2017. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that VSX-LX301 is inferior in audio processing features to Elite VSX-LX304.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-LX301 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. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 100/8, 225/6/8 W/Ohm.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 225/6 | 100/8, 170/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 5Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX304 9 out of 10, and the VSX-LX301 - 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.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Pioneer VSX-LX301 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer |
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.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
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.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio |
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 Elite VSX-LX304 got 7 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX301 received 8 points.
Competitors in our review have 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 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 | 1 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 1/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX | 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 Elite VSX-LX304 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the VSX-LX301.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | 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 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 | x.v.Color, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX304 got 9 points, but the VSX-LX301 has 8.
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.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | 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.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect | FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 2 |
Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX301 got 7.
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 Elite VSX-LX304 licensed by IMAX.
Elite VSX-LX304 | VSX-LX301 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS Neo:X |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✔ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |