Pioneer VSX-934 vs Yamaha RX-V685

      Pioneer VSX-934

      Yamaha RX-V685
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      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Pioneer VSX-934
      4. Advantage of Yamaha RX-V685
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Inputs and Outputs
      7. Audio Section
      8. Video Section
      9. Evaluations
      10. Specifications

      Overview

      Here we are comparing Pioneer VSX-934 to Yamaha RX-V685 to reveal their common strengths and weaknesses as well as the differences between them which will help you in making a correct decision before the purchase. Both receivers have 7 channel amplifiers with Pioneer VSX-934's being less powerful.


      Pioneer VSX-934 Yamaha RX-V685

      Pioneer VSX-934 was introduced in 2019. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales 1080p to 4K video signal.

      Yamaha RX-V685 was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 90 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K 60p 4:4:4 video signal.

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/30Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      Highlights

      • 7.2 Channels
      • 7.1 Channel Processing
      • 90 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
      • HDR10, Dolby Vision
      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/60Hz Upscaling
      • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
      • Phono Input

      We evaluated Pioneer VSX-934 and Yamaha RX-V685 and gave them scores of 87 and 88 out of 100 recpectively. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

      Pioneer VSX-934

      Yamaha RX-V685

      Amplifier
      85
      Amplifier
      88
      Audio Features
      87
      Audio Features
      85
      Video Features
      95
      Video Features
      95
      Connectivity
      82
      Connectivity
      86
      Zones
      80
      Zones
      79
      Radio
      92
      Radio
      97
      OVERALL
      87
      OVERALL
      88

      For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluations page.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer VSX-934 and Yamaha RX-V685.

      PROS

      Pioneer VSX-934

      Yamaha RX-V685

      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   DTS:X
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   USB Input
      •   Phono Input
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal
      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   DTS:X
      •   DSD via HDMI
      •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
      •   HDR10
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Works with Amazon Alexa
      •   Google Assistant
      •   USB Input
      •   Phono Input
      •   RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   Tidal

      CONS

      Pioneer VSX-934

      Yamaha RX-V685

      •   Low Power Output - 80 W
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No eARC
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   No Composite Video Inputs
      •   No Digital Radio
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   No HDR10+
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   0 8K Input
      •   No Digital Radio


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Pioneer VSX-934

      Yamaha RX-V685

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   6 HDMI Inputs
      •   3 HDMI Outputs
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   2 Zones
      •   Bluetooth 4․1 + LE
      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Power Output - 90 W
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   5 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   2 Zones
      •   Bluetooth 4․2

      Advantage of Pioneer VSX-934

      Pioneer VSX-934
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pioneer VSX-934 over Yamaha RX-V685.

      Pioneer VSX-934 vs Yamaha RX-V685
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization vs
      DTS Virtual:X vs
      DTS Express vs
      High Resolution Audio Formats via USB Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AAC, DSD vs Apple Lossless, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, DSD
      Works with SONOS vs
      DTS Play-Fi vs
      More HDMI Inputs 6 vs 5
      More HDMI Outputs 2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2) vs 2
      USB Input 2 (1 Front) vs USB memory, Portable Audio Player
      Zone 2 Outs HDMI vs RCA Preout
      Bigger Power Supply 460 W vs 400 W
      Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA) 165 W (10% THD) vs 130 W (10% THD)

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Pioneer VSX-934.

      Pioneer VSX-935
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-S602
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      5.1 channel

      55 W

      Pioneer VSX-933
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Onkyo TX-NR696
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-A3050
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Denon AVR-S760H
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      7.2 channel

      75 W

      Pioneer VSX-LX304
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      9.2 channel

      100 W

      Pioneer VSX-LX504
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      9.2 channel

      120 W

      Yamaha RX-V6A
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Onkyo TX-SR393
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      5.2 channel

      80 W

      Pioneer VSX-834
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Pioneer SC-LX704
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      9.2 channel

      135 W

      Advantage of Yamaha RX-V685

      Yamaha RX-V685
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Yamaha RX-V685 over Pioneer VSX-934.

      Pioneer VSX-934 vs Yamaha RX-V685
      Higher Power Output 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) vs 90 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      DTS Neo vs Neo:6
      Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz/24 bit vs up to 192 kHz/32 Bit
      Dialogue Lift vs no presence speakers required
      Virtual Speakers vs including surround back
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) vs via firmware update
      Newer HDCP Version 2.2 vs 2.3
      Video Signal Upscaling 1080p to 4K vs up to 4K 60p 4:4:4
      Analog To HDMI Upconversion vs Component**, Composite
      Works with Amazon Alexa vs
      Google Assistant vs
      More Optical Inputs 1 vs 2
      More Coaxial Inputs/Outputs 1 vs 2
      More RCA Pre-Outs 0.2 vs 2.2
      More Composite Video Inputs vs 1
      More Component Video Inputs vs 1
      +12V Trigger Output vs 1
      Remote (IR) Input/Output 0 / 0 vs 1 / 1
      Napster vs
      SiriusXM vs
      Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 80 W (0.08% THD) vs 90 W (0.06% THD)
      Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 4 Ω, Front) 125 W vs 190 W
      Higher Dynamic Power per Channel, 8 Ω, Front) 85 W vs 125 W
      Lower THD 0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power) vs 0.06% (AV 2 etc. to Front, Pure Direct, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 50 W, 8 Ω)
      Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) 106 dB vs 110 dB
      Higher S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A) 80 dB vs 96 dB
      Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz vs 11.2 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 2.8 MHz
      Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n vs IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
      Newer Bluetooth Version 4․1 + LE vs 4․2
      Longer Warranty 1 Year Parts & Labor vs 2 Years

      Check out other receivers which are frequently compared to Yamaha RX-V685.

      Yamaha RX-V6A
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-S602
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      5.1 channel

      55 W

      Yamaha RX-V585
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      7.2 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-A880
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      7.2 channel

      100 W

      Yamaha RX-V385
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      5.1 channel

      70 W

      Yamaha RX-A2080
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      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-V683
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      7.2 channel

      90 W

      Yamaha TSR-7850
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      7.2 channel

      95 W

      Yamaha RX-V485
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      5.1 channel

      80 W

      Yamaha RX-A2030
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      9.2 channel

      140 W

      Yamaha RX-A3080
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      9.2 channel

      150 W

      Yamaha RX-A8A
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      11.2 channel

      150 W

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Pioneer VSX-934 Yamaha RX-V685
        Dolby Atmos
        DTS:X
        DSD via HDMI 2-ch/Multi-ch Input 2-ch/Multi-ch Input
        Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. MCACC YPAO sound optimization (R.S.C.)
        HDR10
        Dolby Vision
        New HDCP Version2.22.3
        Wi-Fi
        Bluetooth SBC, AAC SBC, AAC (compatible with SCMS-T.)
        USB Input2 (1 Front)USB memory, Portable Audio Player
        Phono Input
        Ethernet
        Analog Tuner FM/AM FM/AM
        Pandora
        Spotify
        Tidal
      WEAKNESSES Pioneer VSX-934 Yamaha RX-V685
        No Front Wide Channel Support
        No IMAX Enhanced
        No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
        No HDR10+
        No 8K Passthroughup to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:4:4)up to 4K/60p 4:4:4
        Few 8K Inputs
        No Digital Radio

      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Phono Input: There is an MM phono input on Pioneer VSX-934 and Yamaha RX-V685 with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the receiver.
      • Analog Pre-Outs: Yamaha RX-V685 has 2.2 preamplifier outputs which allows you to connect the receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the receiver to power the rest. Also, both receivers have 7 channel processing but have only 7 channel amplifiers, so they need external amplifiers connected to the analog pre-outs in order to reach their maximum speaker configurations.
      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 4 pair of line inputs on both receivers for connecting sources with analog outputs.
      • Digital Inputs: 1 optical input and 1 coaxial input are available on Pioneer VSX-934 and 2 optical inputs and 2 coaxial inputs are available on Yamaha RX-V685 for digital audio connections.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel of each receiver.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Pioneer VSX-934
        Inputs:         6   Outputs: 2 (1 MAIN, 1 SUB/ZONE 2)
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Yamaha RX-V685
        Inputs:         5   Outputs: 2
        8K Inputs: 0.
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Pioneer VSX-934
        Inputs:         0   Outputs: 0.
      • Yamaha RX-V685
        Inputs:         1   Outputs: 0.
      • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Yamaha RX-V685 supports up to 480i/576i resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Pioneer VSX-934
        Inputs:         0   Outputs: 0.
      • Yamaha RX-V685
        Inputs:         1   Outputs: 0.

      Front A/V Inputs

      • Pioneer VSX-934: USB, Mini-Jack
      • Yamaha RX-V685: USB, mini-jack Audio

      Pioneer VSX-934

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      Yamaha RX-V685

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