Choosing an AV receiver is not an easy task and the Pioneer VSX-LX301 versus Pioneer VSX-832 comparison is meant to help you with this. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX301 received 8 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-832 was rated 6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. As a result, it becomes clear that VSX-LX301 is a better option for home theater than VSX-832.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 8 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX301 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-832 supports a 5.1-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 VSX-LX301 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-832 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 5.1 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 170/6 | 80/8, 165/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-LX301 10 out of 10, and the VSX-832 - 7.
Bi-amping is the amplification of one speaker with two amplifiers. This amplification method has a positive effect on sound quality. Bi-amping is possible only on the VSX-LX301.
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.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | AK4438 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, Reflex Optimizer | Advanced Sound Retriever, Reflex Optimizer |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-LX301 scored 8, and Pioneer VSX-832 scored 7 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 2 (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.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio | 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 VSX-LX301 got 8 points, but Pioneer VSX-832 received 6 points.
Pioneer VSX-LX301 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-832 has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX301 has a Phono interface.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 4/1 |
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 | 1 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX | USB, 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 VSX-LX301 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-832.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
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 | x.v.Color, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX301 got 8 points, but the VSX-832 has 6.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✖ |
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.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | has not |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | has not |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | has not |
Multi-room control | FlareConnect | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
VSX-LX301 | VSX-832 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS Neo:X | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |