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Pioneer VSX-LX305 vs VSX-LX505
Pioneer's Dirac pair — which should you buy?
The short answer
Buy the Pioneer VSX-LX305 unless you need the LX505's stated eight HDMI 2.1 ports or its eleven processing channels — the amplifier difference is ~0.25 dB under an identical (if generous) context, and the Dirac Live correction is the same stated system on both.
As tracked by Home Theater Builder: the Pioneer VSX-LX305 states 8 HDMI 2.1 ports; the Pioneer VSX-LX505 states 8. How we verify this data → Both of Pioneer's enthusiast receivers carry full-bandwidth Dirac Live and nine amplified channels. For once the generous house rating style is at least consistent, so the two sheets can be compared with each other.
Specifications · side by side · per-field provenance
● SOURCE-TRACKED| Spec | Pioneer VSX-LX305 | Pioneer VSX-LX505 |
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| Price | price unknown | price unknown |
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| Brand | Pioneer | Pioneer |
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| Channel Config | 7.2.2 | 9.2 |
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| Main Channels | 9 | 9 |
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| Processing Channels | 9 | 11 |
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| Sub Pre Outs | 2 | 2 |
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| Height Channels | 2 | 1 |
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| Zone 2 Capable | Yes | Yes |
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| Zone 3 Capable | Yes | Yes |
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| Watts Per Channel 8ohm | 170 | 180 |
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| Watts Per Channel 6ohm | 185 | 215 |
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| THD Percent | 1 | 1 |
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| Power Measurement Channels Driven | one channel driven | one channel driven |
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| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
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| Dts X | Yes | Yes |
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| Imax Enhanced | Yes | Yes |
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| Room Correction System | MCACC | MCACC |
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| HDMI Inputs | 6 | 6 |
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| HDMI Outputs | 2 | 2 |
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| HDMI Version | 2.1 | 2.1 |
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| HDMI Max Bandwidth Gbps | 40 | 40 |
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| HDMI 21 Port Count | 8 | 8 |
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| HDMI Earc Port Count | 1 | 1 |
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| Max Passthrough Resolution | 8K 60 | 8K 60 |
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| HDR Support | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision |
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| VRR Passthrough | Yes | Yes |
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| ALLM Support | Yes | Yes |
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| Phono Input | Yes | Yes |
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| Wifi | Yes | Yes |
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| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
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| Airplay2 | Yes | Yes |
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| Streaming Services | Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Deezer, Amazon Music HD, TuneIn, DTS Play-Fi | Amazon Music HD, Deezer, TuneIn, DTS Play-Fi |
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| Trigger Outputs Count | 2 | 2 |
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| Form Factor | full size | full size |
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| Width Inches | 21.1 | 17.1 |
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| Height Inches | 10.4 | 7.3 |
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| Depth Inches | 18 | 15.2 |
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| Weight Lbs | 22.9 | 28.7 |
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| Power Consumption W | 760 | 850 |
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| Alexa Built In | not stated | Yes |
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Shaded rows differ · green dot = lab-measured · amber = manufacturer-verified · blue = retailer/community-reported · grey = estimated · “not stated” means exactly that
Reading the numbers honestly
Both curated figures share the same generous context — one channel driven at 1% THD into 8Ω — so 170W (LX305) vs 180W (LX505) IS like-for-like within the house style: about 0.25 dB, nothing. The stated differences that matter: the LX505 states eight HDMI 2.1 ports and eleven curated processing channels to the LX305's nine, with a 40 Gbps curated bandwidth on both. Neither sheet states an impedance range in our data — a shared silence worth knowing before pairing low-dipping speakers.
Compatibility · computed, not written
Checked against a bookshelf that dips to a stated 3.5Ω like the KEF LS50 Meta: KEF LS50 Meta
Can the Pioneer VSX-LX305 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Pioneer VSX-LX305 publishes no rated impedance range, so the pairing with the KEF LS50 Meta (which dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum) can't be verified from its spec sheet — we treat that as "can't check", not a pass.
Can the Pioneer VSX-LX505 drive the KEF LS50 Meta?
Pioneer VSX-LX505 publishes no rated impedance range, so the pairing with the KEF LS50 Meta (which dips to a stated 3.5Ω minimum) can't be verified from its spec sheet — we treat that as "can't check", not a pass.
Computed from the catalog's normalized fields — the same fields the builder's compatibility engine reads. A missing field reads as "can't check", never as a pass.
Check either one against your own build →Gaming & connectivity · answered from the spec sheets
How many HDMI 2.1 ports do the Pioneer VSX-LX305 and Pioneer VSX-LX505 have?
Pioneer VSX-LX305 states 8 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports; Pioneer VSX-LX505 states 8. Full-bandwidth ports are the ones that carry 4K/120 and VRR — the count that matters for wiring multiple current-gen consoles.
Can the Pioneer VSX-LX305 and Pioneer VSX-LX505 pass 4K/120 through?
The Pioneer VSX-LX305 states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120; the Pioneer VSX-LX505 states 40 Gbps HDMI bandwidth — enough for full 4K/120.
The verdict
Buy the Pioneer VSX-LX305 unless you need the LX505's stated eight HDMI 2.1 ports or its eleven processing channels — the amplifier difference is ~0.25 dB under an identical (if generous) context, and the Dirac Live correction is the same stated system on both.
Most 5.x.4 Dirac roomsPioneer VSX-LX305 — Same full-bandwidth Dirac Live, same nine amplified channels, 0.25 dB less rated power.
Console-heavy racks / expansionPioneer VSX-LX505 — Eight stated HDMI 2.1 ports and 11 curated processing channels vs 9.
4Ω speakersEither — NEITHER sheet states an impedance range in our data — a shared gap, flagged rather than assumed either way.
What our normalized data adds
NOT ON THE SPEC SHEETS- The house rating style is generous but CONSISTENT: 170W vs 180W, both curated at 8Ω / one channel driven / 1% THD — so the ~0.25 dB gap is real, unlike most cross-brand sticker fights.
- The LX505 states eight HDMI 2.1 ports and carries 11 curated processing channels vs 9 — the actual step-up content.
- Neither Pioneer states a speaker impedance range in our data — a shared disclosure gap the spec pages don't admit.
- Both state full-bandwidth Dirac Live, IMAX Enhanced, and zone 3 — platform parity where it counts.
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