Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha RX-V485BL

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX303 vs RX-V485BL comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Yamaha RX-V485BL review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Yamaha RX-V485BL

Let's make the Pioneer VSX-LX303 versus Yamaha RX-V485BL comparison. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX303 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Yamaha RX-V485BL was rated 6.6 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2018. After comparison, it will become clear that among these two devices, the VSX-LX303 is more suitable for the role of the heart of home theater system.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX303 over Yamaha RX-V485BL

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but VSX-LX303 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-V485BL over Pioneer VSX-LX303

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 5, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

VSX-LX303
9
RX-V485BL
5

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Yamaha RX-V485BL 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-LX303 this value is 200/6 W/Ohm, and for the RX-V485BL it is 80/6 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
Channels9.25.1
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 200/680/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 66
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.09

Audio features

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

VSX-LX303
9
RX-V485BL
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.

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bitBurr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCYPAO
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerCINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONT

Connectivity

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

VSX-LX303
8
RX-V485BL
8

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

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
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.

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radiohas not

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, Pioneer VSX-LX303 got 8 points, but Yamaha RX-V485BL received 6 points.

VSX-LX303
8
RX-V485BL
6

Pioneer VSX-LX303 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Yamaha RX-V485BL has 4/1 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 Yamaha RX-V485BL.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX303 has a Phono interface.

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
HDMI input/output7/24/1
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)21
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input22
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output1/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, 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 VSX-LX303 were rated 10 out of 10 against the 8 for the RX-V485BL.

VSX-LX303
10
RX-V485BL
8

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
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 conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLGBT.2020, HLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX303 got 9 points, but the RX-V485BL has 8.

VSX-LX303
9
RX-V485BL
8

Yamaha RX-V485BL has the ECO mode.

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
Voice controlGoogle AssistantGoogle Assistant
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 Controlhas not

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.

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectMusicCast
RS-23210
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

Pioneer VSX-LX303 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Yamaha RX-V485BL got 5.

VSX-LX303
7
RX-V485BL
5

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-LX303 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 only on the VSX-LX303.

VSX-LX303 RX-V485BL
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround, DTS Neo:6
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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