What led to the decision for the Pioneer VSX-S500-K:
I have a AVR wanted in a moderate price range, the modern features such as Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones / laptop support, while providing a natural and clean sound. What convinced me of Pioneer before buying its many features (Bluetooth & Internet via adapter expanded and thoroughly recommended!) Who are convinced unlike Onkio better calibration function and last but not least the size, because the girlfriend wants and when an AVR so provides much and still in the same drawer as the PS3 has to fit a super device with which you have to make any compromises. Important! One reads repeatedly reviews, where buyers complain about the actual size of products. The dimensions are in the product description, necessarily before measuring!
Now for the product. The decor was very simple with the provided instructions. Those who half an hour to an hour takes to adjust everything, the will not be disappointed with the results. I run with the AVR until now a stereo system, consisting of 2 Heco Victa 701, but plane soon on 5.0 or 5.1 upgrade.
My listening experiences relate to now so only on stereo enjoyment.
If AVR there for me the following categories: sound, processing, Features & Operation, Others
The sound: After a quick calibration (hold best ears, with the right boxes, the noise sounds uncomfortably loud) sound system already very good. You should take a little time to read what the individual modes mean, before defining itself. I hear, what a surprise, currently in stereo mode and am excited by the clear, undistorted and pleasant sound of the AVRs. The sound, however, is defined by much more than the boxes than the AVR, so desperate bleats or not equal to, but try around until you have the bass / treble adjustment found that fits. Overall, I believe the sound completely. No bassy post or biting treble, but glaßklarer and of course powerful sound. (The German language is still a bit bulky, when it comes to adjectives).
Processing: the processing is very very solid. Everything you can touch to this unit a quality image and invites you to use. I can not say much about the longevity after this short time, however, the Receiver does not give the impression that he would fall apart any time soon;). He also visually a very high-quality impression, black metallic surfaces and plastics is virtually non-existent. Even the remote control is made of high quality plastic and the main keys (nice feature) are luminescent - that light up weakly in the dark.
Functions and Operation: For information only: it comes to home theater / AVR area was or I am an absolute beginner. It needs therefore to have no fear, he did not manage to do it set up. The manual is in my opinion in detail and contains everything step by step and all functions and modes are explained briefly, so that everyone knows what is at all changed when he sets XY mode. The device itself via remote control and can be tracked either on the small screen or on the connected TV. The menu navigation is simple and however even if in some reviews the simple "design" of the menu is criticized, it restricts the ease of use in any way. One tip to set up: When the speaker calibration (and this is particularly true for large speakers which at times also Lauter are) left hold or space ears. The short-noise patterns are not unbearably loud, but very unpleasant and come somewhat surprising. I have the first time looked good, as the sound of white 50 rushing TVs thundered through my living room. The result makes up for it but 100 times. One last piece of advice: When switching from eg a TV Receiver to a Blu-ray player I recommend always select only the connection and then turn on the unit in question.. My Pioneer does not like it when the unit sends signals before switching on this port and ignored by then consistently until it is switched on it again and off ;-) Otherwise remains to be said that even the radio reception is top. I hear every morning 1 Live and I would hear scratching even 1 I was right on 180. I'm very fussy ;-)
Other: We often hear in connection with small devices with high wattage of heat problems. Here I can give from my heart clear. I have the AVR itself in a wood-TV shelf, which is closely backwards and the AVR has upwards (because the vents are) maybe 2cm square. That's enough for me for proper ventilation even in continuous operation. For comparison, my PS3 about 3 times so warm at the same time.
Information on volume: I initially had some concern whether 500 watts are sufficient if I plan to upgrade to 5.1 in particular. This of course has to do with the wattage of the speakers, but my standing speakers with 2 integrated woofers have so much juice that I have never been further regulated the volume Stronger than -15dB! Next I simply do not dare, because it just was incredibly loud. But It remains to notice that the sound did not sound shrill or changed. Also loud as he remains consistently clear bass and looks natural even better. Wen has not yet convinced of the need to know, that's the scale of -65dB to no idea. I've never been in the area plus, got so never switched the amplifier! Who abkann that respect, but my girlfriend runs angry at -20 from the room ;-).
Conclusion: This little guy super combined processing with great sound and who will continue to shop around notice that he does on acceptable terms. Better to have to invest a little and then enjoy!
I hope I could help it, and I stand on issues like within my means available
Christian
