New 2014 Pioneer AV Receivers: VSX-44/80 & VSX-824/1024/1124-K Preview

Every year, we seem to ask the question: what new features will manufacturers put into their receivers next? Not a company to sit idle, Pioneer has a handful of answers for their 2014 lineup. Five new feature packed models are being introduced today, including two Pioneer Elite units. Covering the entry level with an SRP of $399 is the VSX-824, a 5.2 model boasting 80W/channel of class AB power (20Hz-20kHz, THD 0.08%, 8 ohms, 2 ch driven). The $500 price point is covered by the VSX-1024 and its Elite counterpart, the VSX-44, both 7.2 channel receivers again delivering 80W/channel (two channels driven). Meanwhile, the range is capped by the $599 VSX-1124 and $700 VSX-80, which bump up rated power to 90W/channel (two channels driven) and offer a plethora of additional features. Are you curious to see what 2014 is bringing to the A/V receiver market? Read on!

HDMI 2.0

Finalized in September of 2013, HDMI 2.0 is finally here, with Pioneer being first to market with the new standard. While we’ve covered HDMI 2.0 in the past, the quick and dirty run down is that the additional bandwidth (now up to 18Gbps) allows for a 60p frame rate at 4K resolution, vs 24p for HDMI 1.4. In addition, HDMI 2.0 also allows for 4:4:4 color support, which promises further improvement to picture quality. While we’re hesitant to call anything future proof, in terms of video technology, we’d daresay Pioneer’s latest A/V receivers are about as close as you’re going to get.

But Wait, There’s More!

As it would happen, HDMI 2.0 isn’t the only thing Pioneer is bragging about today. All the models announced here will also be Roku Ready Certified. What that means is that by plugging a Roku Streaming Stick into the MHL port of a Pioneer receiver (now located on the rear panel), you can start using the device as is, with full control from your receiver’s remote as well as Pioneer’s iControlAV5 app.

The addition of a Roku streaming stick to a Pioneer receiver puts a world of content at your finger tips.

For those springing for the higher end VSX-1124 and VSX-80 models, there are a few other perks to mention as well. The top models include an ESS SABRE ES9006S DAC, as well as Advanced MCACC with Subwoofer EQ (the other models make do without subwoofer correction). Combined, these two features should lead to a useful improvement in sound quality; the Subwoofer EQ is particularly useful given how much low end response can be affected by the room. Not to neglect the video side of the equation, the VSX-1124 and VSX-80 also boast built in video up-scaling, all the way to 4K/60p, giving users the best possible image quality. In addition, both models boast a second HDMI output for a second zone of HD video. Last but not least, for those whose minds are blown by all the features now at their finger-tips, Pioneers interactive manual, AV Navigator, is now built into the top receiver models, so users simply need to have the receiver hooked up to their home network to get instructions covering the VSX-1124/VSX-80’s setup and operation.

Part of an Elite club…

I’m sure some are wondering at this point: what separates the Elite models from the plebian units? In this case, the answer is largely multi-zone capability and a few features for use by custom installers. The VSX-80 in particular boasts compatibility with Creston and Control4 products, with full two-way RS-232C-over-IP control, and the ability to receive metadata from network and iOS connected devices. In addition, both the VSX-80 and the VSX-44 are multi-zone champs, offering up to 3 zones of audio. The VSX-44 offers a powered multi-zone option as well as analog outputs while the VSX-80 takes things a notch further with powered multi-zone audio and a digital audio output (when using a network source), as well as a third zone with HDMI video as mentioned above.

Summary

2014 appears to have brought some useful improvements to Pioneers A/V receiver lineup. HDMI 2.0 is nice to see, but from a practical standpoint, things like Subwoofer EQ being added to MCACC have the potential to make a big difference in sound quality. Being Roku Ready also has its perks: you can control a world of streaming from your receiver’s remote or Pioneer’s control app for smartphones/tablets. At this point, we only have one question: what will they have up their sleeves for next year?

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.