Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Sony STR-ZA810ES

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-LX303 vs STR-ZA810ES comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-LX303 vs Sony STR-ZA810ES review

Pioneer VSX-LX303
vs
Sony STR-ZA810ES

Along with the growing popularity of custom home theater builds, the comparison of Pioneer VSX-LX303 and Sony STR-ZA810ES takes place. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-LX303 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and Sony STR-ZA810ES was rated 7.4 points. The release date of VSX-LX303 is 2018, and STR-ZA810ES is 2017. Based on the data on the characteristics and features of both models, we can conclude that VSX-LX303 has better performance than STR-ZA810ES.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX303 over Sony STR-ZA810ES

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 7-channel competitor.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but VSX-LX303 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.

Main advantages Sony STR-ZA810ES over Pioneer VSX-LX303

  • Include HDMI eARC function.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 9 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

VSX-LX303
9
STR-ZA810ES
7

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-LX303 supports 9.2-channels sound, but Sony STR-ZA810ES 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. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 100/8, 200/6/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-LX303 STR-ZA810ES
Channels9.27.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm100/8, 200/6100/8
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-LX303 9 out of 10, and the STR-ZA810ES - 7.

VSX-LX303
9
STR-ZA810ES
7

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 STR-ZA810ES
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCDCAC EX
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex OptimizerHi-Res audio

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-LX303 scored 8, and Sony STR-ZA810ES scored 9 out of 10.

VSX-LX303
8
STR-ZA810ES
9

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 Sony STR-ZA810ES.

VSX-LX303 STR-ZA810ES
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.

VSX-LX303 STR-ZA810ES
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlayAirPlay
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 Sony STR-ZA810ES received 7 points.

VSX-LX303
8
STR-ZA810ES
7

Pioneer VSX-LX303 is equipped with 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Sony STR-ZA810ES has 6/2 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 Sony STR-ZA810ES.

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 STR-ZA810ES
HDMI input/output7/26/2
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 output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input21
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output1/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUXUSB, phones, setup mic
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 9 for the STR-ZA810ES.

VSX-LX303
10
STR-ZA810ES
9

VSX-LX303 STR-ZA810ES
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, HLGHLG

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-LX303 got 9 points, but the STR-ZA810ES has 8.

VSX-LX303
9
STR-ZA810ES
8

VSX-LX303 STR-ZA810ES
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 ControlNFC

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 STR-ZA810ES
Multi-room zones32
Zone audio outputspeaker, preoutspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlFlareConnectMusic Center
RS-23211
Remote control input/output (IR)1/11/1
DC trigger output (12V)20

Multichannel surround

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

VSX-LX303
7
STR-ZA810ES
7

VSX-LX303 STR-ZA810ES
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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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