Pioneer has announced that it’s adding two new aggressively priced models to its AV receiver range – both of which will carry advanced gaming features as well as delivering multi-channel sound for films and TV shows.
The most highly specified of Pioneer’s new AVR duo is the VSX-835. This is designed to deliver nine channels of sound in 7.2 or 5.2.2 set ups (the latter including a pair of dedicated height/overhead channel speakers for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks), with more power per channel than the new step-down, 5.2-channel VSX-535 gets.
The VSX-835 also differs from its cheaper sibling with the sound formats it can support, adding full DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X and the the special version of DTS:X you get with streams and 4K Blu-rays mastered in the IMAX Enhanced format to the Dolby Atmos and Dolby Atmos Height Virtualiser support also available on the 535.
In other key respects both of Pioneer’s new AVRs are broadly the same. They both, for instance, carry four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output capable of handling the latest cutting edge PS5, Xbox Series X and PC gaming features of 4K/120Hz graphics, variable refresh rates, auto low latency mode switching (where a display switches into its fast response Game mode when a game source is detected), dynamic HDR, DSC, and Quick Frame Transport (QFT).
The HDMIs can actually also pass through 8K video at frame rates up to 60Hz, should you happen to have a PC rig and a PC game/demo capable of delivering such ultra high resolution delights.
The HDMI loop through systems on both of Pioneer’s new AVRs additionally support all four of the key high dynamic range formats: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision and HDR10+. So no matter what source you’re playing through them, both receivers will be able to pass the best version of that source on to your TV or projector. Assuming that TV or projector also supports the required HDR formats, of course.
The HDR support further extends to the extreme BT.2020 format and the full uncompromising 4:4:4 colour space, while additional connectivity on both AVRs includes a subwoofer line output.
Both the VSX-835 and VSX-535 feature Pioneer’s Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration system, where a custom microphone enables the AVRs to automatically configure and balance their sound output to compensate for different speaker sizes, levels and distances, so you always get the best sound, no matter what your room and speaker set up, with a minimum of effort.
Also present on both of Pioneer’s affordable new AVRs is the brand’s proprietary Advanced Sound Retriever technology, which works to restore the output of compressed audio file formats (WMA, AAC, MP3 and so on) so that they sound ‘lossless’ – as they would have sounded, in other words, in their original uncompressed state.
While the VSX-835 and VSX-535’s physical connections are among their most eye-catching features thanks to their uncompromising gaming support, both new AVRs also support wireless Bluetooth streaming from tablets, mobile phones and the like.
Both of Pioneer’s new AVRs are available to order now from authorised retailers or Pioneer’s US website, priced a $499 for the VSX-835 and $379 for the VSX-535.
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