Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301

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Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

Elite VSX-LX304 vs VSX-LX301 comparison chart

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 review

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX301

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.

Main advantages Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 over Pioneer VSX-LX301

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but Elite VSX-LX304 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX301 over Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

Elite VSX-LX304
9
VSX-LX301
8

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
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 225/6100/8, 170/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response5Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the Elite VSX-LX304 9 out of 10, and the VSX-LX301 - 10.

Elite VSX-LX304
9
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-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

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

Elite VSX-LX304
8
VSX-LX301
8

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-Fi2.4/5GHz
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.

Elite VSX-LX304 VSX-LX301
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, PandoraDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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 Elite VSX-LX304 got 7 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX301 received 8 points.

Elite VSX-LX304
7
VSX-LX301
8

Competitors in our review have 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Elite VSX-LX304 VSX-LX301
HDMI input/output7/27/2
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 output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input02
Component input/output0/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 Elite VSX-LX304 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 9 for the VSX-LX301.

Elite VSX-LX304
8
VSX-LX301
9

Elite VSX-LX304 VSX-LX301
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 HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020x.v.Color, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX304 got 9 points, but the VSX-LX301 has 8.

Elite VSX-LX304
9
VSX-LX301
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 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.

Elite VSX-LX304 VSX-LX301
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlPioneer Control App, FlareConnectFlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

Pioneer Elite VSX-LX304 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX301 got 7.

Elite VSX-LX304
8
VSX-LX301
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 VirtualizationDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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