Marantz SR8015 vs Pioneer VSX-LX302

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SR8015 vs VSX-LX302 comparison chart

Marantz SR8015 vs Pioneer VSX-LX302 review

Marantz SR8015
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX302

Being able to compare Marantz SR8015 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 SR8015 received 9.8 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 was rated 7.6 points. The release date of SR8015 is 2020, and VSX-LX302 is 2017. SR8015 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the VSX-LX302.

Main advantages Marantz SR8015 over Pioneer VSX-LX302

  • 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.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX302 over Marantz SR8015

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

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

SR8015
10
VSX-LX302
8

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR8015 supports 11.2-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 SR8015 this value is 140/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-LX302 it is 100/8 W/Ohm.

SR8015 VSX-LX302
Channels11.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm140/8, 175/6100/8, 200/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.050.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.

SR8015
9
VSX-LX302
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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Marantz SR8015 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

SR8015 VSX-LX302
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAK4438 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAudyssey MultEQ XT32MCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAudyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LF, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audioAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz SR8015 scored 10, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 scored 8 out of 10.

SR8015
10
VSX-LX302
8

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.

SR8015 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.

SR8015 VSX-LX302
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloudDeezer, 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 SR8015 got 10 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX302 received 8 points.

SR8015
10
VSX-LX302
8

Marantz SR8015 is equipped with 8/3 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 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 Marantz SR8015 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

SR8015 VSX-LX302
HDMI input/output8/37/2
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 input22
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input52
Component input/output3/11/0
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 SR8015 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-LX302.

SR8015
10
VSX-LX302
8

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 SR8015 works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the VSX-LX302 has the 4K/60Hz.

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 only on Marantz SR8015.

SR8015 VSX-LX302
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/120Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through8K/60Hz
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 featuresHLG, BT.2020, Dynamic HDRx.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the SR8015 got 10 points, but the VSX-LX302 has 7.

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

SR8015 VSX-LX302
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 featuresIP Control, Web Control, RS-232 Control, App 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.

SR8015 VSX-LX302
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlMarantz 2016 AVR Remote, HEOS AppFlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)22

Multichannel surround

Marantz SR8015 got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-LX302 got 7.

SR8015
10
VSX-LX302
7

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. Only the 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. Only the SR8015 licensed by IMAX.

SR8015 VSX-LX302
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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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