The Pioneer VSX-834 is a versatile and powerful AV receiver that offers a wide range of features and capabilities for both home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles alike. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the VSX-834’s key features and capabilities, as well as its performance and overall value.
Whether you’re a movie buff, music lover, or just looking for a high-quality AV receiver to enhance your home entertainment experience, the Pioneer VSX-834 is definitely worth considering (>>> Check on Amazon).
Pioneer VSX-834 Review of Specifications:
| Pioneer VSX-834 | |
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| Amplifier | 155 W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 10 %, 1ch Driven) 135 W/ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 1.0 %, 1ch Driven) |
| Audio features | Dolby Atmos®, Dolby Surround Upmixer DTS:X®, DTS Neural:X® Upmixer Reflex Optimizer Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer* MCACC Auto Room Tuning • Phase Control • Subwoofer EQ DTS Virtual:X DSD Disc (SACD) Playback via HDMI (2.8 MHz/2ch, 5.1ch) Digital Quad-Core 32-bit DSP (Cirrus Logic) 384 kHz/32-bit D/A Conversion with AK4438 (AKM) Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES, DTS-HD Express Audio Return Channel (ARC) on HDMI Advanced Sound Retriever (2ch) Advanced Surround Modes • Classical, Unplugged, Entertainment Show, Drama, Extended Stereo, Extended Mono, Front Stage Surround Advance |
| Video | • Ultra HD Pass-through with HDCP 2.3 (4K/60p/4:4:4/24-bit, 4K/24p/4:4:4/36-bit, 4K/60p/4:2:0/36-bit) • Dolby Vision Compatible • Ultra HD Upscaling (1080p to 4K) • 3D Ready (Blu-ray Disc™, Broadcast, and Games) • HDR10, HLG and BT.2020 Wide Colour Gamut Signal Passthrough • Deep Colour (36-bit), “x.v. Colour” |
| Connections | Front: • Phones 1 Out • MCACC Setup MIC In Rear: • HDMI 4 In (4 Assignable) • HDMI 1 Out • USB 1 In for Streaming Dongles • Subwoofer 2 Pre Out • ZONE B Pre/Line Out for Wireless Headphones • Speaker 7ch Out (FRONT, CENTER, SURROUND, SURROUND BACK/HEIGHT, Bi-AMP/ZONE B) • Audio 3 In (Assignable) • Digital Coaxial 1 In (Assignable) • Digital Optical 1 In (Assignable) • FM/AM Antenna |
| Smart features | • Personal Preset • Dialog Enhancement • Bluetooth® Wireless Technology (Version: 4.2 + LE, Profile: A2DP 1.2/AVRCP 1.3, Codec: SBC/AAC) Built-in • User-Friendly GUI with System Setup Menu • On-Screen Information for Audio/Video Status • Auto Power Off in HDMI Standby Through • AM/FM Tuner 40 Presets • Sleep Timer • User-Friendly Simple Remote Control |
| Price | Check on Amazon Projectorscreen.com |
Design
The Pioneer VSX-834 has a slim and modern design, with a clean and minimalist look that will complement any home entertainment setup. The front panel is dominated by a large, easy-to-read display that shows source information and audio settings, and the buttons and controls are intuitively laid out and easy to use. The VSX-834 also features a sleek, low-profile design that will look great in any room, and it can be easily integrated into a variety of home theater systems.
Pros
- Supports advanced surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Has advanced sound technologies such as MCACC and PQLS that help to optimize the sound for your room.
- It offers multiple HDMI inputs and outputs that support 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and HDCP 2.2
- Great Value for Money
Cons
- No 8K support
- Might not be very user-friendly for beginners
Amplifier
The Pioneer VSX-834 features a powerful Class D amplifier that delivers a robust and dynamic audio performance. It has a total output power of 155 watts per channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 10 %, 1ch Driven) and can handle up to 7 channels with the capability of driving a 5.2.2 or 7.2 surround sound system.
The amplifier also features advanced sound technologies such as MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) and PQLS (Precision Quartz Lock System) that helps to ensure a high-quality and accurate audio performance.
Sound
The Pioneer VSX-834 offers a wide range of sound features that enhance the listening experience. Some of the key sound features include:
-Dolby Atmos and DTS:X: The VSX-834 supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which are advanced surround sound formats that provide a more immersive and realistic listening experience. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are designed to deliver sound from all around the listener, including overhead, for a more realistic and immersive sound stage.
-MCACC and PQLS: The VSX-834 features MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) and PQLS (Precision Quartz Lock System) which are advanced technologies that help to optimize the sound for your room.
MCACC uses a microphone to measure the sound in your room and then automatically adjusts the speaker settings and equalization to achieve the best possible sound quality. PQLS reduces jitter and improves the quality of the audio transmission from the source to the speakers, for a more accurate and detailed sound.
-Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR): The VSX-834 has an advanced sound retriever (ASR) technology that helps to improve the sound quality of compressed audio formats such as MP3 and WMA. It restores the high-frequency components of the audio that are lost during compression, resulting in a more natural and detailed sound.
-Auto Level Control (ALC): The VSX-834 also has an Auto Level Control (ALC) feature that automatically adjusts the volume level of different sources to match the volume of the current source. This helps to eliminate sudden volume changes when switching between sources and ensures a consistent listening experience.
Video
Some of the key video features include:
-HDMI: The VSX-834 has multiple HDMI inputs and outputs that support 4K Ultra HD, HDR (High Dynamic Range), and HDCP 2.2, allowing you to connect your video sources and display devices and enjoy high-quality video.
-HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision: The VSX-834 supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, which are advanced video formats that provide a wider range of colors, brightness, and contrast, resulting in a more lifelike and immersive viewing experience.
-Upconversion: The VSX-834 has a built-in video upconversion feature that converts standard-definition video to high-definition, allowing you to enjoy older video sources in better quality.
-3D Ready: The VSX-834 is 3D ready, which means it is compatible with 3D video sources, allowing you to enjoy 3D movies and other content on your 3D-enabled TV.
-Advanced Sound Retriever (ASR): The VSX-834 has an advanced sound retriever (ASR) technology that helps to improve the sound quality of compressed audio formats such as MP3 and WMA. It restores the high-frequency components of the audio that are lost during compression, resulting in a more natural and detailed sound.
Connectivity & Smart Features
The Pioneer VSX-834 offers a wide range of connectivity options to easily connect all of your home theater components. Some of the key connectivity features include:
-Multiple HDMI inputs and outputs: The VSX-834 has 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output that support 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and HDCP 2.2, allowing you to connect your video sources and display devices and enjoy high-quality video.
-Optical and Coaxial Audio Inputs: The VSX-834 also features optical and coaxial audio inputs, which allow you to connect other audio sources such as a cable box, game console, or CD player.
-Multiple Speaker Connections: The VSX-834 has multiple speaker connections, including binding post terminals, for connecting your speakers and building a surround sound system.
-Subwoofer Output: The VSX-834 also has a subwoofer output, which allows you to connect a powered subwoofer for an enhanced bass performance.
-Wireless Connectivity: The VSX-834 also has built-in Bluetooth, WiFi and Apple Airplay2, which allows you to wirelessly stream music from your smartphone, tablet, or computer, as well as voice control your music via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri.
-Streaming Services: The VSX-834 also has built-in streaming services such as Amazon Music, Tidal, and Spotify, which allow you to access a wide range of music and other audio content directly from the receiver.
Conclusion
Whether the Pioneer VSX-834 is the right choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. But for those who are looking for a high-quality AV receiver with advanced features, the Pioneer VSX-834 is definitely worth considering (>>> Find the current price on BHPhotovideo).