Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Pioneer to release a lower channel count A/V receiver with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision

By

Object-based surround sound technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are becoming more common in A/V receviers, adding a new dimension — height — to sound, but so far they have been largely restricted to receivers with higher channel counts. On Thursday, Pioneer unveiled the first of its 2017 A/V receivers, including one 5.1-channel model that will offer Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.

Out of the box, Pioneer’s new VSX-832 Network A/V receiver will operate as a standard 5.1-channel receiver. Pioneer plans to add support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via a firmware update that’s expected to arrive this summer. Once the update arrives, the receiver will offer 2.1.2 and 3.1.2-channel configurations, providing the added immersion that height brings without the need for rear or overhead speakers.

Recommended Videos

The surround sound isn’t the only feature often found only in higher-end receivers that the VSX-832 offers. In addition to 4K Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range (HDR) passthrough, the VSX-832 will support Dolby Vision, a first for Pioneer’s A/V receivers, and something still not seen in a large number of receivers currently on the market.

Wireless multiroom audio is increasingly becoming a must-have feature in A/V receivers, and the VSX-832 has it covered. Both DTS Play-Fi and FireConnect are supported, meaning plenty of wireless speakers and other devices will be compatible with the receiver. Standard networking features like Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Bluetooth are available alongside integrated streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, and Tidal.

For those who don’t need all the features of the VSX-832 or are looking to spend a little less, the VSX-532 offers solid surround sound with a more basic feature set. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X aren’t supported, nor is Dolby Vision, but the receiver does offer passthrough for the more common HDR10 standard, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Both the VSX-832 and VSX-532 feature Pioneer’s Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) and an included microphone for easy setup and calibration.

The Pioneer VSX-832 will be available in April and will sell for $500, while the VSX-532 will be available in the next few days for $380. For more information on Pioneer’s 2017 lineup, see the company’s website.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kris Wouk
Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
Dolby Vision IQ uses a TV’s light sensors for more accurate picture quality
dolby vision iq hdr tv light sensors ces 2020

Dolby Labs is already at the forefront of HDR video tech with its Dolby Vision format, but that doesn't mean the company is resting on its laurels. Launching today at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, Dolby Vision IQ is an enhancement of the HDR standard that uses a TV's built-in light sensors to automatically calibrate the on-screen image based on the lighting conditions in a room.

Lighting conditions can affect picture quality in myriad ways, from unwanted glare and reflections to overall brightness that can wash out the images we see on screen. So it makes sense that TV manufacturers and Dolby Labs would want to understand these lighting conditions in order to adjust the settings to compensate. Most smartphones already do something similar to enhance readability, but in the case of HDR content, it can make the difference between seeing all of the details in a scene and not.

Read more
Hisense R8 ULED Roku TVs deliver 4K and Dolby Vision on a budget
Hisense 65R8F

Hisense recently announced its update to the R8 series, the company's 4K Roku TVs, and once again, they're a pretty incredible value. The R8F 4K Ultra HD Roku TV will be available in 55-inch ($500) and 65-inch ($700) sizes starting in mid-December from both Amazon and Walmart.

The R8 models have always offered an impressive array of features, including 4K, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and local-dimming, but this year Hisense has added Dolby Atmos to the mix and brings its own proprietary ULED technology for enhanced picture quality. Full-array local dimming now has 56 discreet zones (60 zones on the 65-inch model), which should deliver some really good black levels, especially in scenes with high contrast ratios.

Read more
Disney+ has a Dolby Atmos problem. Here’s what you need to know
netflix disney plus go together menu mandalorian

When Disney was ramping up the hype machine for its Disney+ streaming service, one of the biggest benefits it touted was the availability of both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on a significant chunk of its banner content. Movies like the Star Wars franchise, which would be presented in 4K HDR for the first time, and shows like the Disney+ original The Mandalorian were also supposed to get the full Dolby treatment.

And this all rings true, too, if you're subscribed to the Disney Bundle. That's the mechanism that gets you Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for just $14 a month. And Disney's been pushing it extremely hard, for good reason. It's a great deal.

Read more