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Pioneer VSX-818V 5.1 Channel A/V Receiver Review

by Tony Leotta — August 29, 2008

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

Specifications

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.

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