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.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
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 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 5.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 80/8, 155/6 | 120/8, 230/6 |
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 TX-SR393 6 out of 10, and the 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-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✖ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | AccuEQ | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Music Optimizer, Hi-Res audio, CinemaFILTER | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Onkyo TX-SR393 scored 6, and Pioneer VSX-LX503 scored 8 out of 10.
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-Fi | ✖ | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 2 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | ✖ | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
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 services | has not | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio |
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.
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/output | 4/1 | 7/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 2 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 1/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | phones, setup mic | 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 TX-SR393 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-LX503.
TX-SR393 | VSX-LX503 | |
---|---|---|
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, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the TX-SR393 got 6 points, but the VSX-LX503 has 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 control | ✖ | Google Assistant |
App control | Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android |
Display | fluorescent | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✖ | ✔ |
Firmware update | USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | has not | IP 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.
TX-SR393 | VSX-LX503 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | has not | FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 0 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 1/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 2 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
TX-SR393 | VSX-LX503 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |