Let's compare Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 versus Pioneer VSX-934 for an overview of all their pros and cons. According to the results of our review, Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 received 8.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-934 was rated 7.4 points. The release date of Elite VSX-LX105 is 2021, and VSX-934 is 2019. And as a result of the comparison, Elite VSX-LX105 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 - 8 and 7, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. Both receivers can handle the 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 Elite VSX-LX105 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-934 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.
Elite VSX-LX105 | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8, 210/6 | 80/8, 165/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 20Hz-20KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
The score for audio features is 9 of 10 for both receivers.
Pure Direct mode feeds sound directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Only Pioneer VSX-934 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.
Elite VSX-LX105 | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✖ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Dirac Live Room Correction | Advanced Sound Retriever |
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.
Elite VSX-LX105 | 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.
Elite VSX-LX105 | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud | 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 7 points on our 10-point scale.
Competitors in our review have 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 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105.
HDMI-CEC helps gadgets attached to your TV to link back and forth with your TV via HDMI ports. It is become possible to control all linked devices with one remote. The VSX-934 features HDMI CEC.
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 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105 in the HDCP 2.3 version, and Pioneer VSX-934 has the HDCP 2.2 version.
Elite VSX-LX105 | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/2 | 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) | 2 | 2 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 1 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 1 | 1 |
Composite input | 0 | 0 |
Component input/output | 0 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX | 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 the Elite VSX-LX105 were rated 8 out of 10 against the 10 for the VSX-934.
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 Elite VSX-LX105 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 Pioneer Elite VSX-LX105.
Elite VSX-LX105 | 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 scaling | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✔ |
Other video features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync | HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the Elite VSX-LX105 got 9 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 Elite VSX-LX105 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.
Elite VSX-LX105 | 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 | App Control, Sonos Connect 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.
Elite VSX-LX105 | VSX-934 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | 2 |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | speaker, preout |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room control | Pioneer Control App | FlareConnect |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/1 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 0 |
For the ability to create multichannel surround sound, each of the receivers received 7 points out of 10.
Elite VSX-LX105 | 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-EXPRESS | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✖ |