Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Pioneer VSX-LX302

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-ZA2100ES vs VSX-LX302 comparison chart

Sony STR-ZA2100ES vs Pioneer VSX-LX302 review

Sony STR-ZA2100ES
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX302

Being able to compare Sony STR-ZA2100ES 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, Sony STR-ZA2100ES received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 was rated 7.6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. VSX-LX302 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the STR-ZA2100ES.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA2100ES over Pioneer VSX-LX302

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX302 over Sony STR-ZA2100ES

  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 75/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.

Amplifiers

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

STR-ZA2100ES
7
VSX-LX302
8

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 VSX-LX302 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the STR-ZA2100ES it is 75/8 W/Ohm.

STR-ZA2100ES VSX-LX302
Channels7.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm75/8, 95/6100/8, 200/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the STR-ZA2100ES 7 out of 10, and the VSX-LX302 - 9.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
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.

STR-ZA2100ES VSX-LX302
Digital to analog converter (DAC)N/AAK4438 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresDigital Legato Linear, Sound OptimizerAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-ZA2100ES scored 6, and Pioneer VSX-LX302 scored 8 out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
6
VSX-LX302
8

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

STR-ZA2100ES VSX-LX302
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
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.

STR-ZA2100ES VSX-LX302
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, 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, Sony STR-ZA2100ES got 7 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX302 received 8 points.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
VSX-LX302
8

Sony STR-ZA2100ES is equipped with 6/2 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 Sony STR-ZA2100ES.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX302 has a Phono interface.

STR-ZA2100ES VSX-LX302
HDMI input/output6/27/2
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)22
Headphone output01 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output2/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, 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 STR-ZA2100ES were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-LX302.

STR-ZA2100ES
10
VSX-LX302
8

STR-ZA2100ES 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 featuresHLGx.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, both receivers received a score of 7 out of 10.

STR-ZA2100ES
7
VSX-LX302
7

STR-ZA2100ES VSX-LX302
Voice control
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

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.

STR-ZA2100ES VSX-LX302
Multi-room zones22
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/21/1
DC trigger output (12V)32

Multichannel surround

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

STR-ZA2100ES
7
VSX-LX302
7

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 STR-ZA2100ES licensed by IMAX.

STR-ZA2100ES 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-HDDTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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