AV Receiver Reviews

Pioneer VSX-821 A/V Receiver Specs

Specs
Audio Decoding:
Dolby: TrueHD, Digital Plus, Pro Logic IIz
DTS: DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS, Neo:6
Other: SACD Transfer (2-ch. only); nine proprietary DSP surround modes
3D: Yes
THX Certification: No
Number of Amp Channels: 5
Rated Power (watts per channel): 110Wpc 1kHz @ 8ohms, 125Wpc 1kHz @ 6ohms, one channel driven
Specified Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
Video Processing: N/A
Auto Setup/Room EQ: MCACC
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches): 17.16 x 6.6 x 14.27
Weight (pounds): 20.24
Price: $330

Connections
Inputs:
Video: HDMI 1.4 (4), component video (2), composite video (5, 1 in front)
Audio: Coaxial digital (1), optical digital (2), stereo analog (2)
Additional: iPod/iPhone/iPad compatible USB, Bluetooth adapter port
Accessory: iPod/iPhone/iPad cable
Outputs:
Video: HDMI 1.4 (1), component video (1), composite video (1)
Audio: Stereo analog (1), subwoofer (1)
Additional: N/A

Company Info
Pioneer
www.pioneerelectronics.com

COMPANY INFO
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
techguy378's picture
Submitted by techguy378 on November 4, 2011 - 12:56am

Yamaha thought that a single position auto setup program was great too, but the results sounded like crap due to their poor choice of a 7 or 10 band parametric equalizer. To make things worse if you ran the auto setup from precisely the same position using a tripod with dual levelers you would get different results every single time. Does Pioneer's auto setup have this problem too? My old Denon AVR-788 receiver cost $350 for a brand new one and it had Audyssey MultEQ (6 measurement positions). Some may argue that the Denon AVR-788 didn't have support for Blu-Ray audio formats, but this is not an important feature for any budget receiver to have. Just about any budget Blu-Ray player currently being sold can convert the newer audio formats into a PCM audio format that is identical in every way to the original soundtrack.

manbearpig's picture
Submitted by manbearpig on November 13, 2011 - 8:09pm

So I purchased the VSX-521-K which I assume is identical sound to this one. My problem is combined with my Tannoy speakers I find it a little hard, bright and edgy. Seems to over emphasize grain in broadcasts. At times it does not feel very impactfull as well. You describe the Onkyo 609 as having greater depth and a more delicate sound signature, would this possibly translate into a cleaner and more refined sound I may be looking for?

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