NOVEMBER 2017
Pioneer
VSX-932
REVIEW / PIONEER / VSX-932 7.2 CHANNEL NETWORK AV RECEIVER
PIONEER
VSX-932 7.2 Channel Network AV Receiver Distributor: Powermove Distribution $1,099 RRP
“This time Pioneer has pushed the envelope even further”
It’s been almost two years to the day since I
predecessor and offering more features, you
Audio/DTS-HD High-Resolution Audio/DTS
reviewed Pioneer’s VSX-930. At the time I was
have to wonder, what has been sacrificed?
96/24/DTS-ES/DTS-HD Express, and Dolby
impressed how much technology could be built into AVR with a $1,349 asking price.
Like its predecessor, the VSX-932 is a 7.1 channel AVR. It can power two front speakers,
Atmos. However, unlike its predecessor, the VSX-932 adds DTS:X/DTS Neural:X to the list.
Here we are, two years and two product
a centre speaker, and four rear speakers.
A network AVR, the VSX-932 has a
generations later, with the $1,099 VSX-932.
Alternatively, two front speakers, a centre
comprehensive range of home networking
speaker, two rear speakers and two overhead
features, including Spotify, Deezer, Tidal,
speakers for Dolby Atmos/DTS: X.
Pandora, Chromecast, DTS Play-Fi, Fire
This time Pioneer has pushed the envelope even further, with the VSX-932 not only coming in $250 cheaper but offering more
It that’s a little too much for your tastes, and
features than the VSX-930.
you would prefer a 5.1 setup the VSX-932
Like most, I’m always happy to stretch my
can also be bi-amped.
dollar further, but I must admit my inner cynic
Like its predecessor, the VSX-932 will decode
was in high gear. At $250 cheaper than its
True HD/Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master
Connect, Internet Radio and Apple AirPlay Certification. Compatible with the Ultra HD/4K video standard, the VSX-932’s four HDMI inputs offer Ultra HD Pass-through with HDCP 2.2 and support HDR10 and BT.2020. The VSX932 also adds Dolby Vision compatibility to its list of supported video formats.
“The onscreen menu is both far nicer to look at and easier to work with”
What’s in the Box? Practically identical in appearance to the VSX-
The layout of the VSX-932’s speaker binding
930, the VSX-932 is housed in an aluminium
posts has been dramatically improved since
chassis. The front panel has a brushed metal
the VSX-930. In the past, I have critiqued
finish with a large LED display and is flanked
Pioneer for using two rows of binding posts
by two large dials providing direct access to
(red above black). The VSX-932 however,
source selection and volume control.
uses a single row of binding posts (red next to
A group of buttons located directly below the display provides access to the VSX-932’s more commonly used functions and acts
black), for all but the two rear back/presence speakers, so it’s much easier to connect your speakers.
as alternative means to access its on-
Rounding out the inputs is a LAN port, but
screen menus.
the VSX-932 can alternatively be connected
The front of the unit also hosts a USB input,
wirelessly to your home network.
headphone input and MCACC MIC input for
Also included in the box is the MCACC
speaker setup and calibration.
calibration microphone and remote. The remote
Around the back, the VSX-932 has a decent amount of inputs for the price-point, including: 4 assignable HDMI inputs, one HDMI (ARC)
has also been redesigned and now has fewer buttons. It’s also much cleaner in appearance with larger buttons that are easier to locate.
output, 1 USB input, 2 composite inputs, 1
The absent buttons, which have been
phono input, 1 digital coaxial input, 1 digital
relegated to the onscreen menu fall more
optical input, 2 subwoofer outputs and an
into the camp of ‘set and forget’ controls, so
AM/FM antenna.
chances are they won’t be missed.
Setup The VSX-932 is a breeze to set up. I chose to
System. You simply place the supplied
Atmos/DTS:X home theatre owners. Setting a
use it in the 5.2.2 configuration that I typically
microphone on a tripod in your listening
universal crossover for the main speakers may
use in my home theatre.
position and follow the onscreen prompts.
not be an issue, however, in a Dolby Atmos
Connecting speakers and source devices are
MCACC produces a series of test-tones that
relatively straightforward, thanks in large part
will detect the size of your speakers, their
to clearly marked inputs.
distance from your primary listening position,
This leaves you with the rather unpalatable
and then it applies room correction via DSP
choice of either setting a crossover which is
based on your listening environment.
too high for your main speakers, or too low for
A quick press of the menu button produced a clean and easy to work through setup menu. This is an area that Pioneer has obviously put significant work into since the VSX-930, and it shows. The onscreen menu is both far nicer to look at and easier to work with.
In my experience, and just like every other
system, the ceiling speakers usually have a higher crossover point.
your height speakers.
room correction system, MCACC did
It’s worth noting that while the VSX-932
incorrectly set some of my speakers to ‘large’.
does offer dual subwoofer inputs, Pioneer
However, it was simple enough to change
accomplishes this via an internal ‘Y’ adapter.
this in the setup menu. The only caveat is the
What this means is that signal sent to be subs
After a quick to test to ensure the speakers
VSX-932 is unable to set individual crossover
is ‘summed,’ and distance level and room
and source devices were properly connected,
points, so you will need to settle on one
correction applied accordingly. If you’re using
I connected the microphone and let the
crossover for all your speakers.
dual subs, you are going to want to pay close
automated calibration process take over.
Having a universal crossover for speakers may
If you’re not familiar with MCACC, it’s
be ‘the norm’ at this price-point; nonetheless,
Pioneer’s Multichannel Acoustics Calibration
it’s going to create a challenge for many
attention to their placement.
Performance When it comes to features, Pioneer hasn’t cut
volume levels to create an engaging home
fair share of dynamics. However, there’s also
any corners. Of course, this doesn’t mean
theatre experience which is something I often
an abundance of scenes filled with subtle
much if the VSX-932 can’t deliver sonically and
find lacking in my setup with AVR’s at this
environmental cues.
manufacturers have been known to reduce
price-point.
power supplies to cut costs and add features.
The VSX-932 did an excellent job of
Bass performance was strong, but not as
reproducing The Wolverine’s quieter moments,
Questioning the ability of the VSX-932’s internal
controlled as I have to come to expect from
turning in a performance that was both
power amplifiers, I started my testing with
my Denon X4300 AVR and Rotel RMB-1075
detailed, yet didn’t draw unwanted attention
George Miller’s Mad Max Fury Road. Both the
power amp combination. While my usual setup
to itself.
Blu-ray and UHD versions of the film feature a
does a better job of taming my challenging
very dynamic Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
listening environment, it does come in at
Connected to a mix of 4 and 6-ohm
around five times the cost of the VSX-932.
During the bar scene found near the beginning of the film, there’s a lot of subtle sonic information placed precisely around the
speakers the VSX-932 did an excellent job of
Moving onto more familiar material, it was
soundstage. While the VSX-932 couldn’t quite
reproducing the dynamics found in Fury Road.
time to load The Wolverine Blu-ray. The
capture the sense of soundstage or precise
What’s more, it did so at decent enough
Wolverine’s DTS-HD soundtrack also has its
placement that I have come to expect, it
Conclusion With the lack of independent crossover points aside, the VSX-932 easily equals or betters the performance of the VSX-930. Many AV Receivers at this price-point sound somewhat stifled and a little forward in their sonic presentation. The VSX-932 however, has none of these characteristics, instead offering a classy sound that reminded me of Pioneer’s more expensive ‘LX range of receivers. Match it to some more amplifier friendly speakers, and you will have a very capable home theatre system. All in all, it appears Pioneer has pulled a Houdini with the VSX-932. Not only is it cheaper than its predecessor, but it also has more features and performs equally, if not better than the VSX-930 reviewed in 2015.
turned in a very admirable performance for its price-point. To round out my listening test, I cued up John Wick Chapter 1 on my Oppo UDP-203. Once again, the DTS-HD soundtrack found in the
“offering a classy sound that reminded me of Pioneer’s more expensive ‘LX range of receivers”
Blu-ray release can be quite aggressive. And once again the VSX-932 proved to me that it had enough power to turn in a decent sense of dynamics. A final word on vocal performance. This is another area that I didn’t encounter any problems regardless of what was unfolding on screen. The reproduced speech was both clear and intelligible. WORDS: Tony O’brien