Pioneer VSX-818V 5.1 Channel A/V Receiver Review
Power Amplifier Design: PHAT
Surround Power: 120w x 5
THD: 1kHz w/O.O5% THD @ 8 ohm
Inputs/Outputs:
2 Video
HDMI
3 component
video in / 1 monitor out
4 AV in / 1
Rec. out
5 Audio in
/ 1 Rec. out (including tuner and front)
iPod
compatible through USB
XM and
Sirius ready
1 Digital
coaxial input
2 Digital
optical input / output
Room EQ: Auto MCACC Speaker Calibration
(including 5 EQ bands)
DSP: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Pro-Logic
II, DTS 96/24, WAM9 Pro, EX HD Surround
Additional Features: Onscreen Display, Sleep Timer,
Display Dimmer, Front A/V Terminals, 30 AM/FM Presets
Remote: Preset
Dimensions (inches): 16 9/16 x 6 1/4 x 13 7/8
Weight: 17 lbs 9 oz
Warranty: 1
Year
Pros
- On-screen display
- Large speaker binding posts
- Great sound
- Excellent Value
Cons
- Non-discrete output devices for all but the main channels
- Limited digital inputs
- Cluttered remote control
- No HDMI audio support
- No 5.1 pre-amp outputs
Pioneer VSX-818V Introduction
To see how much Pioneer has progressed in its entry level receivers and determine if manufacturers are truly taking advice from consumers and review publications like Audioholics, I compared the VSX-818V to the Pioneer VSX-815 which we reviewed in 2005.
Pioneer VSX-815 | Pioneer VSX-818V | |
Surround Power: | 100 watts
x 7 (1% THD @ 8-ohms, 1kHz) |
120 watts x 5 (.05% THD @ 8 ohm, 1kHz) |
Stereo Power: | 100 watts
x 2 (20Hz-20kHz; 0.7% THD @ 8-ohms) |
95W per channel (20Hz to 20kHz, THD .06%, 8-ohms) |
DSP: | Dolby Digital 5.1/EX, DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete, DTS 96/24/Neo6, Pro Logic IIx/Game Mode, WMA9 Pro, 9 Advanced Surround modes, 7-channel stereo, Virtual surround back | Dolby Digital 5.1/EX, DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete, DTS 96/24/Neo6, Pro Logic IIx/Game Mode, WMA9 Pro, 9 Advanced Surround modes, 7-channel stereo, Virtual surround back, EX HD Surround |
Inputs: | 3 component video, 4 A/V, 5 digital ins (2 optical/1 front optical/2 coax), 5.1 multi-channel input, front AV inputs (including optical) | 2 HDMI (switching only), 3 component video, 4 A/V, 5 Audio in
(including tuner and front), 5
digital ins (2 optical/1 front optical/2 coax), iPod compatible through USB, XM and
Sirius ready |
HDMI: |
None |
2 in/1 out (switching only) |
Outputs: | 1 component, 2 A/V,
headphone output |
1 component, 1 A/V, 1 Audio out, 2 Digital optical outs, headphone output |
Analogue Pre-outs: |
7.1 preamp outputs (includes subwoofer) | Subwoofer only |
Room EQ: | Auto/Manual MCACC (including 5-band EQ) | Auto/Manual MCACC (including 5-band EQ) |
Additional Features | Sleep timer, dimmer option, multi-way loudspeaker binding posts, AM/FM tuner | Sleep Timer, Display Dimmer, Front A/V Terminals, 30 AM/FM Presets |
On-screen Display: |
No |
Yes |
Dimensions: | 16 9/16 " W x 6 1/4" H x 15 13/16" D | 16 9/16 x 6 1/4 x 13 7/8 |
Weight: | 22 lbs. 4 oz. | 17 lbs 9 oz |
Warranty: | 1 year | 1 Year |
MSRP: | $365 | $249 |
Although comparing a 7.1 channel receiver (which retailed at over $100 more) to a 5.1 channel receiver may seem like comparing apples to oranges, the VSX line has made some notable improvements over the last 3 years. Our two biggest concerns against the VSX-815 in 2005 were that it didn’t have video upscaling or on-screen display. The VSX-818V does come with on-screen display, but still leaves video upscaling to its bigger brothers (we really didn’t expect it at this price point anyways.) It does however have 2 switching-only HDMI inputs and 1 output, something that wasn’t possible at this price point just last year. The lowest price model that Pioneer offers with video upscaling is the VSX-1018AH which comes in at $599.