Being able to compare Pioneer VSX-935 and Denon AVR-S660H gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-935 received 7.6 points out of 10 possible, and Denon AVR-S660H was rated 6.7 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2021. VSX-935 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the AVR-S660H.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-935 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Denon AVR-S660H supports a 5.2-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-935 this value is 80/8 W/Ohm, and for the AVR-S660H it is 75/8 W/Ohm.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 5.2 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 80/8, 170/6 | 75/8, 100/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8, 6 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 20Hz-20KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-935 9 out of 10, and the AVR-S660H - 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 VSX-935.
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.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | 192 KHz/32-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✖ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✖ | ✖ |
Auto speaker calibration | MCACC | Audyssey MultEQ |
Speaker A/B switching | ✖ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Hi-Res audio |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-935 scored 8, and Denon AVR-S660H scored 7 out of 10.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | 2.4/5GHz |
USB | 2 (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.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, SiriusXM, Napster, SoundCloud |
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.
Pioneer VSX-935 is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Denon AVR-S660H has 6/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
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 AVR-S660H features HDMI CEC.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 6/2 | 6/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✖ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.3 | HDCP 2.3 |
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 | 0 | 2 |
Component input/output | 0 | 0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✔ | ✔ |
Front panel connectors | USB, phones, setup mic, AUX | USB, 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 8 out of 10.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/120Hz | 4K/120Hz |
8K signal pass-through | 8K/60Hz | 8K/60Hz |
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 features | DeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020, LipSync | Dynamic HDR, HLG, BT.2020 |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-935 got 9 points, but the AVR-S660H has 10.
Denon AVR-S660H has the ECO mode.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | 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 | Web Control, App 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.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | has not |
Zone audio output | speaker | has not |
Zone HDMI output | ✔ | has not |
Multi-room control | Pioneer Control App | HEOS App, Denon 2016 AVR Remote |
RS-232 | 0 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 0 | 0 |
Pioneer VSX-935 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Denon AVR-S660H got 8.
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-935 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 only on the VSX-935.
VSX-935 | AVR-S660H | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | Dolby ProLogic Il |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS | DTS Neo:6 |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✖ | ✔ |