Yamaha RX-S602 vs Pioneer VSX-S520

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Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

RX-S602 vs VSX-S520 comparison chart

Yamaha RX-S602 vs Pioneer VSX-S520 review

Yamaha RX-S602
vs
Pioneer VSX-S520

To get informed with the specs of the receivers, we suggest you read the Yamaha RX-S602 and Pioneer VSX-S520 review. According to the results of our review, Yamaha RX-S602 received 6.5 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-S520 was rated 6 points. The release date of RX-S602 is 2018, and VSX-S520 is 2016. This review shows us that the RX-S602 is a better choice as a home AV receiver than the VSX-S520.

Main advantages Yamaha RX-S602 over Pioneer VSX-S520

  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, RX-S602 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-S520 over Yamaha RX-S602

  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 5, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

RX-S602
6
VSX-S520
5

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 5.1-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
Channels5.15.1
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm80/8, 125/650/4
Output impedance, Ohm8, 64
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.09

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the RX-S602 9 out of 10, and the VSX-S520 - 6.

RX-S602
9
VSX-S520
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 RX-S602.

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.

Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Pioneer VSX-S520 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
Digital to analog converter (DAC)Burr-Brown 384 KHz/32-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationYPAOMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresCINEMA DSP 3D, Compressed Music Enhancer, Virtual CINEMA FRONTAdvanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

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

RX-S602
8
VSX-S520
8

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

RX-S602 VSX-S520
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.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, QobuzDeezer, TIDAL, 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, both receivers got 6 points on our 10-point scale.

RX-S602
6
VSX-S520
6

Competitors in our review have 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

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 Yamaha RX-S602 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-S520 has the HDCP 2.2 version.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the VSX-S520 has a Phono interface.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
HDMI input/output4/14/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.3HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)11
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input11
Coaxial digital input21
Composite input30
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, 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 RX-S602 were rated 6 out of 10 against the 8 for the VSX-S520.

RX-S602
6
VSX-S520
8

Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible with Pioneer VSX-S520.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
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 conversion
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featuresDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the RX-S602 got 8 points, but the VSX-S520 has 7.

RX-S602
8
VSX-S520
7

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 RX-S602 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. Only the Yamaha RX-S602 has the ECO mode.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google 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 featureshas nothas 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.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
Multi-room zones2has not
Zone audio outputspeakerhas not
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlMusicCasthas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)0/00/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Yamaha RX-S602 got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-S520 got 7.

RX-S602
5
VSX-S520
7

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-S520 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 on the VSX-S520.

RX-S602 VSX-S520
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby 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
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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