Marantz NR1510 vs Pioneer VSX-LX302

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

NR1510 vs VSX-LX302 comparison chart

Marantz NR1510 vs Pioneer VSX-LX302 review

Marantz NR1510
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX302

Being able to compare Marantz NR1510 and Pioneer VSX-LX302 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Marantz NR1510 received 7 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 was rated 7.6 points. The release date of NR1510 is 2019, and VSX-LX302 is 2017. VSX-LX302 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the NR1510.

Main advantages Marantz NR1510 over Pioneer VSX-LX302

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX302 over Marantz NR1510

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 50/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, VSX-LX302 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 8, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

NR1510
6
VSX-LX302
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz NR1510 supports 5.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-LX302 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. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the VSX-LX302 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the NR1510 it is 50/8 W/Ohm.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
Channels5.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm50/8, 60/6100/8, 200/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the NR1510 6 out of 10, and the VSX-LX302 - 9.

NR1510
6
VSX-LX302
9

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 on the VSX-LX302.

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.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/32-bitAK4438 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer, Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

NR1510
8
VSX-LX302
8

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

NR1510 VSX-LX302
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.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn RadioDeezer, 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, Marantz NR1510 got 9 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX302 received 8 points.

NR1510
9
VSX-LX302
8

Marantz NR1510 is equipped with 8/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 has 7/2 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 only on Marantz NR1510.

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 Marantz NR1510 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
HDMI input/output8/17/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input32
Component input/output2/11/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup micUSB, 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 NR1510 were rated 6 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-LX302.

NR1510
6
VSX-LX302
8

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 with Pioneer VSX-LX302.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresHLG, BT.2020x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the NR1510 got 10 points, but the VSX-LX302 has 7.

NR1510
10
VSX-LX302
7

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 NR1510 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Marantz NR1510 has the ECO mode.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon KindleiPhone, 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 featuresIP Control, Web ControlIP 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.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
Multi-room zoneshas not2
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)1/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)12

Multichannel surround

Marantz NR1510 got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX302 got 7.

NR1510
5
VSX-LX302
7

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Pioneer VSX-LX302 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available on the VSX-LX302.

NR1510 VSX-LX302
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby 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-Surround, DTS-Neo:6DTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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