Review of Pioneer Home Theater Receivers.

Pioneer Home Theater Receivers My memory of Pioneer electronics was formed early in my life. I have two older brothers and the one just 2 years younger than me had a top-end Pioneer audio system for that day and age. It was a monster. Huge speakers, enormous 15" woofers, the console was as large as anything that existed at the time. However my instincts at the time gave me the feeling that it was all just for show. They had hoped to wow me with a fancy display, a multitude of buttons and control knobs, and oversized components, but it just didn't seem to match to the end result. The sound coming out didn't equal the look.

Well, I tried to wipe the slate clean as I recently reviewed their new product lines and offerings. Pioneer home theater recievers are better than what my gut feeling had indicated some 15 years ago, but not much better. Again, for those of you loyal to the brand. I do not mean to defend. Again, this is my feeling. It certainly is true that our present is deply rooted in the past. For this reason I may never give Pioneer the fair shake it deserves. No matter. You are the consumer and hold the final decision.

Click to see all Pioneer Home Theater Receivers.

LOW-End Pick for Pioneer Home Theater Receivers

The Pioneer VSXD412K 100 Watt x 5 Channel Surround Sound Receiver features Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround sound decoding, 96kHz/24-Bit digital processing and 100 watts x 2 in normal stereo mode. For system connectivity, you're provided with 2 digital inputs and a full complement of audio and video inputs/outputs. The VSX-D412K is DVD-Audio ready and includes an AM/FM digital tuner; and for convenience, a front-panel quick-setup function and a remote control are included.

Mid-End Pick for Pioneer Home Theater Receivers

None

HIGH-End Pick for Pioneer Home Theater Receivers

The Pioneer VSX-D912K 6 Channel Digital A/V Receiver has 110 watts x 6 channels and decodes DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, DTS NEO 6, Dolby Digital EX 6.1 formats. A wonderful feature is the Auto MCACC (Multi-channel Acoustic Calibration) which provides a microphone that listens to each of your speakers and automatically adjusts them for distance and sound level ensuring that each channel of sound reaches you at the right time and at the right volume. Connectivity is good with with a front optical digital input, 5 Digital Inputs (2 optical/2 coaxial back, 1 optical front), 1 Digital Out (optical) and 4 Audio/4 Audio/Video inputs.