Let's compare Denon AVR-A1H versus Pioneer VSX-934 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Denon AVR-A1H received 9.7 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-934 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of AVR-A1H is 2022, and VSX-934 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, AVR-A1H seems to be a better option for the role of a home theater center than VSX-934.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 10 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Denon AVR-A1H supports 15.4-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-934 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. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the AVR-A1H this value is 150/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-934 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 15.4 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 150/8, 190/6 | 80/8, 165/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0,05 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the AVR-A1H 10 out of 10, and the VSX-934 - 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.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Denon AVR-A1H can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/32-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic LFC, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live | Advanced Sound Retriever |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Denon AVR-A1H scored 9, and Pioneer VSX-934 scored 8 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 2 (USB 2.0) | 2 (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.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Amazon Music HD, MOOD:Mix | 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, Denon AVR-A1H got 9 points, but Pioneer VSX-934 received 7 points.
Denon AVR-A1H is equipped with 7/3 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-934 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 only on Denon AVR-A1H.
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 Denon AVR-A1H in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-934 has the HDCP 2.2 version.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 7/3 | 6/2 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 4 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX |
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.
With the 4K pass-through feature, the AV receiver sends "native" 4K signals to a 4K TV from a video source without any processing. The AVR-A1H works with the 4K/120Hz video, and the VSX-934 has the 4K/60Hz.
The AV receiver passes "native" 8K signals from a video source to 8K TV without any encoding, with the 8k pass-through features. The 8K path-through is available only on Denon AVR-A1H.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | ✖ |
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 | x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the AVR-A1H got 10 points, but the VSX-934 has 6.
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 AVR-A1H can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI. Only the Denon AVR-A1H has the ECO mode.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | iPhone, iPad, iPod, 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, Web Control, App Control, RS232 Control | has not |
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.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 3 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote | FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 2 | 0 |
Denon AVR-A1H got 10 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-934 got 7.
Auro 3D gives a bit more versatility than Dolby Atmos or DTS:X and provides a hemispherical sound and enables a receiver to produce 3D sound stages. Only the Denon AVR-A1H has Auro-3D on its feature list.
IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. Only the AVR-A1H licensed by IMAX.
AVR-A1H | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
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 | ✔ | ✖ |