Yamaha RX-V581 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Yamaha RX-V581 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 review

Yamaha RX-V581
vs
Pioneer VSX-LX301

It makes sense comparing Yamaha RX-V581 vs Pioneer VSX-LX301 because they both are able to give some premium features.

Amplifier

Considered AV receivers have the same number of channels 7.2. Regarding power, then RX-V581 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 115/6 when VSX-LX301 has a power of 100/8, 170/6. The THD is 0.09% for the RX-V581 but 0.08% for the VSX-LX301.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit for RX-V581 and AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit for the VSX-LX301. Both the RX-V581 and the VSX-LX301 support Bi-amping. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. The Apple Music service is implemented on considered devices: AirPlay. Spotify can be used on each receiver. The RX-V581 can work with the audio stream from Pandora, JUKE, and the VSX-LX301 can receive a content from Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio.

Video features

These units support HDR technology. Compared AV receivers retain the quality of 4K/60Hz signal when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector. HDMI signal transmission in standby mode is implemented in each of the devices. The VSX-LX301 can scale the input HDMI signal, unlike the RX-V581. Dolby Vision technology found support only on the VSX-LX301.

Extensive connections

The Yamaha RX-V581 has 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 7/2 HDMI connectors of the Pioneer VSX-LX301.Yamaha RX-V581 connectionsPioneer VSX-LX301 connections The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature supports both devices. Unfortunately, HDMI eARC is not available on monitored devices. The Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) feature is present in most modern AV receivers and the models in our comparison are no exception. Both models support the standard HDCP 2.2. The VSX-LX301 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player.

Additional features

Each of the AV receivers from our review supports 2 Multi-room zones. A voice control is not available. An ECO mode is only available for the RX-V581. Both RX-V581 and VSX-LX301 can be configured using the Setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

Both devices have support for Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format. The surround sound technology DTS:X is supported by devices under review.

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General

Item

Yamaha RX-V581
Pioneer VSX-LX301

Model

RX-V581
VSX-LX301

Brand

Yamaha
Pioneer

Reviews

82
0

Amplifier

Channels

7.2
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

115/6
100/8, 170/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
8, 6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
10Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.09
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

Burr-Brown 192 KHz/24-bit
AK4458 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

YPAO
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

CINEMA DSP 3D
Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio, Reflex Optimizer

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1
1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay
AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Pandora, JUKE
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
7/2

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

1
2

Coaxial digital input

2
1

Composite input

3
2

Component input/output

0/0
1/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, phones, AUX
USB, HDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

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
x.v.Color, BT.2020

Additional features

Voice control

App control

iPhone, iPad, Android
iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android

Display

fluorescent
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

has not
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

2
2

Zone audio output

speaker
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

MusicCast
FlareConnect

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
1/1

DC trigger output (12V)

0
2

Multichannel surround

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 Neo:6 Cinema, DTS 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS
DTS Neo:X

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

AIFF
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

260
550

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.1

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 22.5 x 32.7/17 x 8.6 x 12.6
43.5 x 17.3 x 37/17 x 6.8 x 14.6

Weight, kg/lbs

8.1/17.9
10/22

Other

Release year

2016
2017
Yamaha RX-V581
Pioneer VSX-LX301
Yamaha RX-V581
Pioneer VSX-LX301

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 6.7
  • 8
  • 6.7Yamaha RX-V581
  • 8Pioneer VSX-LX301