Pioneer SC-LX901 vs Pioneer SC-LX801

SC-LX901 vs SC-LX801 comparison chart

Pioneer SC-LX901 vs Pioneer SC-LX801 review

Pioneer SC-LX901 vs Pioneer SC-LX801

Pioneer SC-LX901 vs Pioneer SC-LX801: Which Elite Amp Model is Better for the Money

Going to purchase a new, powerful and high-end home theater, compare the Elite-line AV receivers from the famous Pioneer Corporation. Is Pioneer SC-LX901 vs SC-LX801 more performant or feature-rich? Are the improvements worth extra money?

Features

The basic, and, I guess, the only difference of the SC-LX901 model, that is called “flagship”, is the number of amplifying channels. The device is 11.2-channel while its “younger” counterpart is only a 9.1-channel amp. It enables better opportunities for the newest formats decoding that are still the same for both receivers. Both of them come with the Direct Energy HD (class D3) amplifier modules, featuring:

  • standard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi options
  • Deezer, Tidal, Pandora, Tuneln, Spotify music services
  • Google Cast
  • FireConnect speakers
  • PQFA jitter reduction
  • MCACC Pro auto-calibration system
  • efficient cooling technology

Connections

The eights HDMI input that is typical for the SC-LX801 is definitely not important as 7 available ports of its flagship counterpart are more than sufficient. One of them is conveniently located on the front panel, a USB port is available. So, not only a TV, but a Blu-ray or DVD player can be connected. Both home theaters are equipped with the same, handy remote that stands out by the minimalist layout. Some customers just admit that they like the remote for the old, Pioneer Elite SC-37 or SC-27 amp, more. Bluetooth functionality is great. Some app and connectivity issues still happen, as the system is complicated, but they are not common.

Performance

Pioneer SC-LX801 vs SC-LX901 is a bit less powerful, but the difference is not significant, as the output per channel is completely the same. Both amplifiers produce powerful, detailed sound with accurate dialogues, but SC-LX801 model’s speakers are a bit sharp, standing out by the rich bass. SC-LX901 amp’s sound is slightly more natural.

Conclusion

Pioneer SC-LX901 is an 11.2-channel device that is a bit more powerful versus its counterpart, but the difference is insignificant. It produces a bit more natural sound. On the other hand, the SC-LX801 model is equipped with one more, the eighth, HDMI port that still doesn’t set the tone, and it sounds slightly more sharp.

Pioneer SC-LX801 review

The 9.1-channel A/V receiver is feature-rich and high-performance. It supports the latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats and comes with the maximum number of HDMI ports. It sounds powerful and detailed, focusing on accurate dialogues reproduction while the music is played a bit sharp.

Pros:

  • powerful, detailed sound
  • a lot of great features
  • perfect calibration

Cons:

  • a bit sharp sound

Pioneer SC-LX901 review

The 11.2-channel home theater is flagship and top-quality. It comes with all the latest feature, accurate auto-calibration, supporting the full range of the newest audio formats. The amp is equipped with a great number of HDMI ports that meet all the users’ needs completely. It produces great, accurate sound, standing out by the clear dialogues.

Pros:

  • powerful
  • great for the houses that have several rooms
  • natural, dimensional sound

Cons:

  • none

Votes 7 7
Rating 3.9 3.9
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Common

Product

Pioneer SC-LX901
Pioneer SC-LX801

Model

SC-LX901
SC-LX801

Brand

Pioneer
Pioneer

Reviews

90
110

Amplifier

Channels

11.2
9.2

Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm

140/8, 200/6
140/8, 200/6, 255/4

Output impedance, Ohm

8, 6
8, 6, 4

Frequency response

20Hz-20KHz
20Hz-20KHz

THD in stereo, %

0.08
0.08

Audio features

Digital to analog converter (DAC)

ESS SABRE32 Ultra 192 KHz/32-bit
ESS SABRE32 Ultra 192 KHz/32-bit

Bi-amping

Pure direct (straight)

Auto speaker calibration

MCACC Pro
MCACC Pro

Speaker A/B switching

Other audio features

Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio
Reflex Optimizer, Advanced Sound Retriever, Hi-Res audio

Connectivity

Wi-Fi

2.4/5GHz
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

Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio
Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora

Extensive connection

HDMI input/output

8/2
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)

2
2

Headphone output

1 x 6.3
1 x 6.3

Optical digital input

3
3

Coaxial digital input

2
2

Composite input

2
2

Component input/output

2/1
2/1

Phono (MM) input

Front panel connectors

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

Multi channel preamp output

Video features

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR10

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
DeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

Voice control

App control

iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
iPhone, iPad, 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

IP Control
IP Control

Multi-room

Multi-room zones

3
3

Zone audio output

speaker, preout
speaker, preout

Zone HDMI output

Multi-room control

Pioneer Control App, FlareConnect
Pioneer Control App, iControlAV5, FlareConnect

RS-232

1
1

Remote control input/output (IR)

2/1
2/1

DC trigger output (12V)

2
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 96/24, DTS-EXPRESS
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

AIFF
AIFF

Power

Operational power consumption, W

340
320

Standby consumption, W

0.15
0.15

Removable power cord

User manual

Manual

Dimensions

Size W x H x D, cm/inches

43.5 x 18.5 x 44.1/17 x 7 x 17.3
43.5 x 18.5 x 44.1/17 x 7 x 17.3

Weight, kg/lbs

18/39.7
17.9/39.5

Other

Release year

2016
2016
Pioneer SC-LX901
Pioneer SC-LX801
Pioneer SC-LX901
Pioneer SC-LX801

AV receivers CHooseratoR comparison rating

  • better
  • worse
  • 8.6
  • 8.4
  • 8.6Pioneer SC-LX901
  • 8.4Pioneer SC-LX801