Pioneer VSX-LX301 vs Onkyo TX-NR777

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Being able to compare Pioneer VSX-LX301 and Onkyo TX-NR777 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 Onkyo TX-NR777 was rated 6.8 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. VSX-LX301 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the TX-NR777.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX301 over Onkyo TX-NR777

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR777 over Pioneer VSX-LX301

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

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 TX-NR777 this value is 110/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-LX301 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-LX301 10 out of 10, and the TX-NR777 - 7.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Pioneer VSX-LX301 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. Pioneer VSX-LX301 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

Connectivity

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.

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

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 Onkyo TX-NR777 received 7 points.

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

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 6 for the TX-NR777.

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Pioneer VSX-LX301.

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX301 got 8 points, but the TX-NR777 has 6.

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.

Multichannel surround

For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.