Denon AVR-X8500H vs Pioneer VSX-531 review

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Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Denon AVR-X8500H vs Pioneer VSX-531 review

Denon AVR-X8500H
vs
Pioneer VSX-531

It’s strongly recommended to compare different receivers if you want to choose the best one: Denon AVR-X8500H vs Pioneer VSX-531.

Amplifier

The number of channels for receivers is different - 13.2 versus 5.1, respectively, for devices. In terms of power, there are differences, the AVR-X8500H has such a ratio W/Ohm - 150/8, 250/6, while the VSX-531 has a power of 80/8, 140/6. The value of total harmonic distortion is also different, and for the AVR-X8500H it is 0.05%, but for the VSX-531 it is 0.08%.

Audio features

The manufacturer installed different DACs, the AVR-X8500H received the model AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bit, but the VSX-531 is equipped with 192 KHz/24-bit. The Bi-amping function is implemented only in the Denon AVR-X8500H. Both Denon AVR-X8500H and Pioneer VSX-531 can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection via WIFI is only possible with AVR-X8500H. Each of the receivers has a Bluetooth connector. The AVR-X8500H has access to the Spotify service.

Video features

Support for the HDR function can only boast of each of the AV receivers. The quality of 4K/60Hz signal remains unchanged when transmitting from a source to a TV or projector via HDMI for both receivers. Signaling over HDMI in standby mode can provide the AVR-X8500H and the VSX-531. Video scaling is only possible with the AVR-X8500H. Operation with the Dolby Vision is only possible with the AVR-X8500H.

Extensive connections

The number of HDMI inputs/outputs varies depending on the receiver, the AVR-X8500H has 8/3, and the VSX-531 has 4/1.Denon AVR-X8500H connectionsPioneer VSX-531 connections HDMI Audio Return Channel is implemented in both devices. HDMI eARC is only supported by the AVR-X8500H. When comparing receivers, it becomes clear that each of the rivals can work with HDMI CEC. AVR-X8500H and VSX-531 support the standard HDCP 2.2. In the presence of a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player only at Denon AVR-X8500H. There is an ECO mode in either AV receiver. The Denon AVR-X8500H can be properly configured using the setup assistant.

Multichannel surround

A Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format is available only in the AVR-X8500H. Only in the AVR-X8500H realized a DTS:X surround technology.

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General

Item

Denon AVR-X8500H
Pioneer VSX-531

Model

AVR-X8500H
VSX-531

Brand

Denon
Pioneer

Reviews

222
0

Amplifier

Channels

13.2
5.1

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

150/8, 250/6
80/8, 140/6

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
6

Frequency response

10Hz-100KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.05
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

AK4490EQ 768 KHz/32-bit
192 KHz/24-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

Audyssey MultEQ XT32
MCACC

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey LFC
Advanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay, AirPlay 2

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud
has not

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/3
4/1

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
1

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

2
1

Coaxial digital input

2
1

Composite input

4
2

Component input/output

3/1
0/0

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

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 scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

HLG, BT.2020
DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Amazon Kindle

Display

colour OSD
fluorescent

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

network, USB
USB

Other additional features

IP Control, Web Control
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
has not

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
has not

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

HEOS App
has not

RS-232

1
0

Remote control input/output (IR)

1/1
0/0

DC trigger output (12V)

2
0

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 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround
DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
has not

Power

Operational power consumption, W

900
220

Standby consumption, W

0.1
0.45

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 19.5 x 7.8/17 x 7.7 x 18.7
43.5 x 16.8 x 32/17 x 6.3 x 12.6

Weight, kg/lbs

23.1/51.6
8/17.6

Other

Release year

2018
2016
Denon AVR-X8500H
Pioneer VSX-531
Denon AVR-X8500H
Pioneer VSX-531

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 9.5
  • 4.3
  • 9.5Denon AVR-X8500H
  • 4.3Pioneer VSX-531