Being able to compare Pioneer SC-LX901 and Pioneer SC-LX801 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Pioneer SC-LX901 received 8.6 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer SC-LX801 was rated 8.4 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2016. SC-LX901 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the SC-LX801.
For the built-in amplifier, the models have rated 9 points out of 10.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer SC-LX901 supports 11.2-channels sound, but Pioneer SC-LX801 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. In terms of RMS power, the models have the same characteristics - 140/8, 200/6/8 W/Ohm.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 11.2 | 9.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 140/8, 200/6 | 140/8, 200/6, 255/4 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6, 4 |
Frequency response | 20Hz-20KHz | 20Hz-20KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SC-LX901 10 out of 10, and the SC-LX801 - 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.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | ESS SABRE32 Ultra 192 KHz/32-bit | ESS SABRE32 Ultra 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC Pro | MCACC Pro |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✔ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio | Reflex Optimizer, Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is equal and was rated 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 1 |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay | AirPlay |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora |
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 9 points on our 10-point scale.
Competitors in our review have 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/2 | 8/2 |
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 | 3 | 3 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 2 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/1 | 2/1 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, 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 rivals in our comparison were rated 10 out of 10.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ | 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 |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the SC-LX901 got 8 points, but the SC-LX801 has 6.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, Android |
Display | colour OSD | colour OSD |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✖ | ✖ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✔ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✔ |
Firmware update | network, USB | network, USB |
Other additional features | IP Control | 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.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 3 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect | Pioneer Control App, iControlAV5, FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 1 | 1 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 2/1 | 2/1 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 2 |
Pioneer SC-LX901 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer SC-LX801 got 8.
SC-LX901 | SC-LX801 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |