Pioneer has made a triumphant return to the AV receiver arena after a four-year hiatus, introducing a compelling duo of mid-range models: the VSX-LX505 and the VSX-LX305. While marketed as part of Pioneer’s ‘Elite’ range in the USA, these AVRs maintain the same high standards and feature sets globally, even without the ‘Elite’ badge in some regions. The Pioneer Vsx-lx305 stands out as a feature-rich option for those seeking a powerful and immersive home theater experience without breaking the bank.
While the VSX-LX505 boasts a slightly higher power output at 180W per channel (compared to the pioneer vsx-lx305‘s 170W) and expands to 11.2 channel decoding, the pioneer vsx-lx305 capably handles 9.2 channels and offers a streamlined set of legacy connections. However, beyond these distinctions, both receivers share a remarkably similar DNA, particularly in their core feature sets. This review will delve into the pioneer vsx-lx305, exploring its sound performance, features, and overall value proposition for home theater aficionados.
Sound Quality: Unleashing the Power of Home Cinema
The pioneer vsx-lx305 immediately establishes a hallmark of the Pioneer brand: a robust and assertive delivery of multichannel film soundtracks. For viewers who crave a cinematic experience that’s larger-than-life and impactful, this AV receiver warrants serious consideration. While not necessarily lacking in musicality, the pioneer vsx-lx305 prioritizes a dynamic and dramatic presentation, making it exceptionally well-suited for movie enthusiasts.
This emphasis on cinematic prowess translates into an engaging and thrilling experience. Watching a film like Elvis, the pioneer vsx-lx305 injects an extra dose of ‘Viva Las Vegas’ energy into the performance. Dolby Atmos decoding is precise, effectively recreating the ambiance of concert halls, while the music retains clarity and focus. The tight, impactful bass adds significant weight to the drumbeats, enhancing the overall musical experience within the film.
The Pioneer VSX-LX305 AV receiver’s classic front panel design with prominent knobs and central display, highlighting its user-friendly interface.
The sci-fi action spectacle Edge of Tomorrow becomes a showcase for the pioneer vsx-lx305‘s strengths. Its nimble multichannel audio decoding and the sheer power of its nine built-in amplification channels combine to create a truly visceral experience. The chaotic beach landing scene transforms into a frenetic sonic assault, immersing the viewer in the intensity of the action.
The processor’s seamless sound steering between speakers, coupled with the refined tonal balance achieved through Dirac Live room correction, ensures a consistent sonic signature as effects move around the soundstage. Dirac Live notably improves upon Pioneer’s own MCACC system, resulting in a more cohesive and balanced audio presentation. Even amidst the most intense action sequences, dialogue remains remarkably clear and intelligible.
Edge of Tomorrow is renowned for its deep bass, and Dirac’s effectiveness in mitigating room acoustics contributes to a smoother frequency response. This translates to bass that is not only deep but also controlled and defined. The depth of the bass will ultimately depend on the capabilities of your subwoofer, but the pioneer vsx-lx305‘s global crossover setting doesn’t negatively impact the overall sound quality.
Rear view of the Pioneer VSX-LX305 showcasing its comprehensive connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 ports and speaker terminals for a 9.2 channel setup.
Similarly, Black Adam, with its equally bass-heavy and bombastic sound mix, finds a perfect partner in the pioneer vsx-lx305. The receiver effortlessly produces the scale and impact required to complement the film’s larger-than-life anti-hero. The Dolby Atmos track makes full use of all available channels, enveloping the listener in the action. Gunfire ricochets effectively through the overhead channels, and a menacing low-end rumble accompanies The Rock’s aerial maneuvers, followed by impactful punches that land with brutal force.
The pioneer vsx-lx305‘s ability to orchestrate all channels effectively creates a believable three-dimensional sound bubble, particularly when utilizing four overhead channels. Whether it’s Atmos, DTS:X, or IMAX Enhanced content, film enthusiasts are treated to a truly immersive, object-based audio experience. While the receiver offers various advanced surround modes like Classical, Drama, Game, Action, and Sports, sticking to the original mix is generally recommended for purists. However, the Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixers demonstrate surprising effectiveness in revitalizing older soundtracks.
Living with the Pioneer VSX-LX305: Design, Features, and Connectivity
The pioneer vsx-lx305 adheres to Pioneer’s classic AV receiver aesthetic, featuring a familiar layout with an input selector on the left, a volume control on the right, and a central display. Beneath the display, users will find basic controls, a headphone jack, and a front-facing HDMI 2.0 input, along with a USB port and a microphone setup jack.
Build quality is commendable for a mid-range receiver, characterized by a brushed metal front plate and available in matte black or silver finishes. However, the included remote control is a point of disappointment – a basic black plastic remote that feels somewhat cheap and lacks a backlight. It appears to be a less considered element in the overall package.
Fortunately, the Pioneer Remote App compensates for the remote’s shortcomings. The app boasts an excellent, user-friendly interface that provides access to multiroom and streaming functionalities, control features, and various setup options, including Dirac Live. Notably, the app-based interface for Dirac Live is a pioneering feature for an AV receiver.
On the rear panel, Pioneer has opted for a streamlined approach to legacy connections, including single optical and coaxial digital inputs, alongside four analog stereo inputs. Vinyl enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of a phono (MM) input, and a built-in DAB/FM tuner caters to radio listeners.
The emphasis is clearly placed on HDMI 2.1 connectivity. The pioneer vsx-lx305 features six HDMI inputs and dual outputs, all compliant with HDMI 2.1 features such as 8K/60p, upscaling capabilities, Dolby Vision, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). One output supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), enabling lossless audio transmission from compatible TVs. The second output facilitates connection to a second zone, typically another room.
Extensive wireless connectivity options are available, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast. Multiroom functionality is supported through DTS Play-Fi, Roon Ready, and Sonos Connect, and users can stream music from services like Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, and Deezer.
The on-screen interface has undergone a significant and welcome upgrade, now presenting an informative, intuitive, and visually appealing user experience. Setup is simplified through a wizard-driven process, and a web-based interface provides access to advanced settings.
The pioneer vsx-lx305 utilizes nine channels of built-in amplification, employing Pioneer’s Direct Energy Class AB amplifiers. The 170W per channel output should be sufficient for most room sizes. It’s important to note that there are no pre-outs (except for dual subwoofer outputs), limiting power upgradeability. The receiver supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced, but processing is also limited to 9 channels, constraining speaker layouts to a maximum of 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 configurations. For optimal immersion, a 7.1.2 setup is recommended if feasible.
One noteworthy setup aspect is the global crossover setting, applying to all channels simultaneously. While most receivers offer individual crossover settings per speaker, the pioneer vsx-lx305 provides a global control with options of 50, 80, 100, 150, and 200Hz. The chosen crossover frequency is limited by the speaker with the highest low-frequency response in the system.
Pioneer’s MCACC room correction has been a feature in their receivers for years. While user-friendly, it has sometimes struggled with bass integration and smoothing. The pioneer vsx-lx305 introduces Dirac Live room correction, a superior third-party platform, implemented via an app-based interface for the first time in a receiver. This innovative approach simplifies the Dirac Live setup process, making it less intimidating. The Dirac app displays results similarly to laptop-based implementations, although fine-tuning options are somewhat limited. In direct comparisons, Dirac Live consistently delivered smoother bass, improved cohesion, and better overall tonal balance compared to MCACC.
Conclusion: Is the VSX-LX305 the Right AV Receiver for You?
The pioneer vsx-lx305 excels in delivering muscular multichannel audio performance, making it an ideal choice for film enthusiasts. Its comprehensive streaming options also cater to music lovers, and HDMI 2.1 connectivity ensures gamers can enjoy next-gen gaming features like 4K/120p and VRR.
Support for all major immersive audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced, and comprehensive HDR format compatibility further enhance its appeal. The inclusion of Dirac Live is a significant advantage, offering superior room correction compared to MCACC and simplifying the setup process through its app-based interface.
The minimalist design is aesthetically pleasing, build quality is solid for its class, and the display is informative. Ample HDMI ports and extensive wireless connectivity are provided. While legacy inputs are streamlined, the inclusion of a phono input and built-in tuner is a welcome touch. The remote control is underwhelming, but the excellent app compensates for this.
The nine channels of amplification and 9.2-channel processing are sufficient for most modest-sized rooms. However, expandability is limited, with no options to increase channel count or power output. For users anticipating a need for greater power or channel expansion, the VSX-LX505 presents a viable upgrade option for a modest price increase. For those seeking a powerful, feature-rich, and immersive home theater experience in a mid-range receiver, the pioneer vsx-lx305 is a highly compelling choice.
Listening Notes
Black Adam (4K Blu-ray)
The Rock embodies the DC character with charismatic force, and this comic-book adaptation benefits greatly from Atmos immersion. Bullets ricochet convincingly, overhead channels are thoroughly utilized, and impactful bass underscores every super-powered blow.
Elvis (4K Blu-ray) This Oscar-nominated biopic of The King features a star-making performance by Austin Butler and a glorious Dolby Atmos soundtrack that showcases iconic hits in style. It serves as an excellent test of a system’s musicality, and the ‘If I Can Dream’ sequence is particularly moving.
Edge of Tomorrow (4K Blu-ray) Groundhog Day meets Saving Private Ryan in this time-loop sci-fi action film. The newly created Dolby Atmos soundtrack thoroughly tests system cohesion during the repeatedly depicted beach assault, and subterranean bass will expose any low-end weaknesses.
