Pioneer VSX-LX301 vs Marantz SR8015

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX301 vs SR8015 comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX301 vs Marantz SR8015 review

Pioneer VSX-LX301
vs
Marantz SR8015

Being able to compare Pioneer VSX-LX301 and Marantz SR8015 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX301 received 8 points out of 10 possible, and Marantz SR8015 was rated 9.8 points. The release date of VSX-LX301 is 2017, and SR8015 is 2020. SR8015 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the VSX-LX301.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX301 over Marantz SR8015

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Marantz SR8015 over Pioneer VSX-LX301

  • More channels, namely 11, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • 140/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 100/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but SR8015 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • 8K/60Hz signal pass-through is available.

Amplifiers

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

VSX-LX301
8
SR8015
10

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX301 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Marantz SR8015 supports a 11.2-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 SR8015 this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-LX301 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
Channels7.211.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 170/6140/8, 175/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.05

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-LX301 10 out of 10, and the SR8015 - 9.

VSX-LX301
10
SR8015
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.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bitN/A
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAudyssey MultEQ XT32
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LF, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-LX301 scored 8, and Marantz SR8015 scored 10 out of 10.

VSX-LX301
8
SR8015
10

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

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Marantz SR8015.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz2.4/5GHz
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.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn RadioDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud

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-LX301 got 8 points, but Marantz SR8015 received 10 points.

VSX-LX301
8
SR8015
10

Pioneer VSX-LX301 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Marantz SR8015 has 8/3 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 on Marantz SR8015.

The HDCP encryption protocol is now mandatory for most media devices. This security technology encrypts digital signals from one product to another. HDCP content-encryption protocol is present on Pioneer VSX-LX301 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Marantz SR8015 has the HDCP 2.3 version.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
HDMI input/output7/28/3
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.3
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input12
Composite input25
Component input/output1/03/1
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 VSX-LX301 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 10 for the SR8015.

VSX-LX301
9
SR8015
10

With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The VSX-LX301 works with the 4K/60Hz video, and the SR8015 has the 4K/120Hz.

The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available on Marantz SR8015.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/120Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMIanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresx.v.Color, BT.2020HLG, BT.2020, Dynamic HDR

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX301 got 8 points, but the SR8015 has 10.

VSX-LX301
8
SR8015
10

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 SR8015 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Marantz SR8015 has the ECO mode.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
Voice controlAmazon 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 featureshas notIP Control, Web Control, RS-232 Control, App 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-LX301 SR8015
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectMarantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS App
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

Pioneer VSX-LX301 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Marantz SR8015 got 10.

VSX-LX301
7
SR8015
10

Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Marantz SR8015 has Auro-3D on its feature list.

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 SR8015 licensed by IMAX.

VSX-LX301 SR8015
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 Neo:XDTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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