Pioneer VSX-818V 5.1 Channel A/V Receiver Review
- Product Name: VSX-818V 5.1 Channel A/V Receiver
- Manufacturer: Pioneer Electronics
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: August 29, 2008 17:25
- MSRP: $ 249
-
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.
Tony is our resident expert for lifestyle and wireless products including soundbars. He does most of the reviews for wireless and streaming loudspeakers and often compares soundbars in round ups and helps us cover the trade shows.
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