Onkyo TX-SR393 vs Pioneer VSX-LX503

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

TX-SR393 vs VSX-LX503 comparison chart

Onkyo TX-SR393 vs Pioneer VSX-LX503 review

Onkyo TX-SR393
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX503

Being able to compare Onkyo TX-SR393 and Pioneer VSX-LX503 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Onkyo TX-SR393 received 5.2 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 was rated 8.6 points. The release date of TX-SR393 is 2019, and VSX-LX503 is 2018. VSX-LX503 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the TX-SR393.

Main advantages Onkyo TX-SR393 over Pioneer VSX-LX503

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-LX503 over Onkyo TX-SR393

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 120/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 80/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Both receivers have a multi-room zone function, but VSX-LX503 has 3 zones vs 2 on its competitor.
  • 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 - 6 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

TX-SR393
6
VSX-LX503
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Onkyo TX-SR393 supports 5.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-LX503 supports a 9.2-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-LX503 this value is 120/8 W/Ohm, and for the TX-SR393 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
Channels5.29.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm80/8, 155/6120/8, 230/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the TX-SR393 6 out of 10, and the VSX-LX503 - 9.

TX-SR393
6
VSX-LX503
9

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 on the VSX-LX503.

Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Pioneer VSX-LX503 has Pure Direct mode.

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.

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
Digital to analog converter (DAC)AKM 384 KHz/32-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationAccuEQMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio, CinemaFILTERAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Onkyo TX-SR393 scored 6, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 scored 8 out of 10.

TX-SR393
6
VSX-LX503
8

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

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the VSX-LX503 only.

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
Wi-Fi2.4/5GHz
USB1 (USB 2.0)2 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
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.

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
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, Onkyo TX-SR393 got 6 points, but Pioneer VSX-LX503 received 8 points.

TX-SR393
6
VSX-LX503
8

Onkyo TX-SR393 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-LX503 has a Phono interface.

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
HDMI input/output4/17/2
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 input12
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output0/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsphones, setup micUSB, HDMI, 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 TX-SR393 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX503.

TX-SR393
7
VSX-LX503
10

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
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, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-SR393 got 6 points, but the VSX-LX503 has 8.

TX-SR393
6
VSX-LX503
8

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 VSX-LX503 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant.

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App controlAndroidiPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentcolour OSD
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updateUSBnetwork, 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.

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
Multi-room zones23
Zone audio outputspeakerspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI output
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/1
DC trigger output (12V)02

Multichannel surround

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

TX-SR393
7
VSX-LX503
7

TX-SR393 VSX-LX503
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-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESSDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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