Pioneer VSX-531 vs Onkyo TX-RZ900 review

Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

AV receivers comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-531 vs Onkyo TX-RZ900 review

Pioneer VSX-531
vs
Onkyo TX-RZ900

An affordable AV receiver is always a good option to consider, so Pioneer VSX-531 vs Onkyo TX-RZ900 comparison definitely makes sense.

Amplifier

A significant difference between the receivers in the number of channels, Pioneer VSX-531 has 5.1 versus 7.2 for Onkyo TX-RZ900. Regarding power, then VSX-531 has such a W/Ohm ratio - 80/8, 140/6 when TX-RZ900 has a power of 200/6. The THD is the same and is 0.08%.

Audio features

Characteristics of digital to analog converter (DAC) are different, 192 KHz/24-bit for VSX-531 and Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bit for the TX-RZ900. Only the TX-RZ900 supports Bi-amping feature. Each of the AV receivers can transmit an audio signal directly to the amplifier and bypasses any DSP processing.

Connectivity

Only the Onkyo TX-RZ900 can connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Rivals from our review have Bluetooth support. Only the TX-RZ900 supports Spotify.

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. Both competitors are not able to scale the HDMI signal. The HDR standard - Dolby Vision is not supported by these receivers.

Extensive connections

The Pioneer VSX-531 has 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs versus 8/2 HDMI connectors of the Onkyo TX-RZ900.Pioneer VSX-531 connectionsOnkyo TX-RZ900 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 TX-RZ900 has a built-in phono stage for connecting a vinyl player. A voice control is not available. An ECO mode is only available for the VSX-531. The setup assistant will help you configure Onkyo TX-RZ900.

Multichannel surround

Only the TX-RZ900 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the TX-RZ900.

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General

Item

Pioneer VSX-531
Onkyo TX-RZ900

Model

VSX-531
TX-RZ900

Brand

Pioneer
Onkyo

Reviews

0
0

Amplifier

Channels

5.1
7.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

80/8, 140/6
200/6

Output impedance, Ohm

6
6

Frequency response

20Hz-20KHz
5Hz-100KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

192 KHz/24-bit
Hi-Grade 384 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC
AccuEQ

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever
Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

USB

1 (USB 2.0)
1 (USB 2.0)

Bluetooth

Ethernet (RJ45)

1

DLNA

MHL

Streaming services

Apple Music (AirPlay)

AirPlay

Amazon Music

Spotify

Other streaming services

has not
Deezer, TuneIn Radio

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

4/1
8/2

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)

1
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

1
3

Coaxial digital input

1
2

Composite input

2
3

Component input/output

0/0
2/1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

USB, phones, setup mic
USB, HDMI, 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 scaling

HDMI to HDMI scaling

Dolby Vision

Other video features

DeepColor, x.v.Color
has not

Additional features

Voice control

App control

iPhone, iPod, Android

Display

fluorescent
fluorescent

Tuner

AM, FM
AM, FM

Sleep timer

Auto power off

ECO mode

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Setup assistant

Firmware update

USB
network, USB

Other additional features

has not
has not

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

has not
2

Zone audio output

has not
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

has not

Multi-room control

has not
has not

RS-232

0
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

0/0
1/0

DC trigger output (12V)

0
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 96/24, DTS Neo:6
DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS

Auro-3D

IMAX Enhanced

Multichannel stereo

Audio file formats

MP3

WMA

AAC

WAV

FLAC

ALAC

Other audio file formats

has not
Ogg Vorbis

Power

Operational power consumption, W

220
840

Standby consumption, W

0.45
0.15

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 16.8 x 32/17 x 6.3 x 12.6
43.5 x 20.1 x 43.3/17 x 7.8 x 16.9

Weight, kg/lbs

8/17.6
18/39.6

Other

Release year

2016
2015
Pioneer VSX-531
Onkyo TX-RZ900
Pioneer VSX-531
Onkyo TX-RZ900

AV receivers SoundInspiration comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 4.3
  • 7.5
  • 4.3Pioneer VSX-531
  • 7.5Onkyo TX-RZ900