An overview of Pioneer VSX-LX303 and Denon AVR-S950H will help us understand the many features that the devices are equipped with. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX303 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S950H was rated 7.3 points. The release date of VSX-LX303 is 2018, and AVR-S950H is 2019. And as a result of the review, it becomes clear that AVR-S950H is inferior in audio processing features to VSX-LX303.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S950H 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-LX303 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S950H it is 90/8 W/Ohm.
VSX-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 9.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 200/6 | 90/8, 125/6 |
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-LX303 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S950H - 6.
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-LX303.
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.
VSX-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit | AKM 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Restorer, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-LX303 scored 8, and Denon AVR-S950H 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-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✔ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (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-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud, Mood Mix |
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, both receivers got 8 points on our 10-point scale.
Pioneer VSX-LX303 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S950H has 8/2 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 on Denon AVR-S950H.
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 Pioneer VSX-LX303 in the HDCP 2.2 version, and Denon AVR-S950H has the HDCP 2.3 version.
VSX-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/2 | 8/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.3 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 1/0 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX | USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic |
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-LX303 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the AVR-S950H.
VSX-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 | 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 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX303 got 9 points, but the AVR-S950H has 10.
Denon AVR-S950H has the ECO mode.
VSX-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle |
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 | IP Control | IP Control, Web Control |
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-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✖ |
Multi-room control | FlareConnect | HEOS App |
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-LX303 | AVR-S950H | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✔ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |