Pioneer VSX-2016AV operating instructions About THX

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13Additional information

WMA9 Pro can support up to 5.1/7.1 channel playback with sampling rates up to 24-bit/96 kHz. Using the unique WMA compression techniques, WMA9 Pro can deliver multichannel music and soundtracks over high-speed internet networks at low bit rates with minimal audio degradation. Playback may be enjoyed with the Windows

Media® Player 9 Series (or above) and other third-party media players on a personal computer, or with an AV amplifier with on-board WMA9 Pro decoding.

Windows Media® and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

About THX

The THX technologies are explained below. See

www.thx.com for more detailed information.

THX Cinema processing

THX is an exclusive set of standards and technologies established by the world-renowned film production company, Lucasfilm Ltd. THX grew from George Lucas' personal desire to make your experience of the film soundtrack, in both movie theatres and in your home theatre, as faithful as possible to what the director intended. Movie soundtracks are mixed in special movie theatres called dubbing stages and are designed to be played back in movie theatres with similar equipment and conditions. This same soundtrack is then transferred directly onto Laserdisc, VHS tape, DVD, etc., and is not changed for playback in a small home theatre environment. THX engineers developed patented technologies to accurately translate the sound from the movie theatre environment into the home, correcting the tonal and spatial errors that occur. On this product, when the THX indicator is on, THX features are automatically added in Cinema modes (e.g. THX Cinema, THX Surround EX).

Re-Equalization

The tonal balance of a film soundtrack will be excessively bright and harsh when played back over audio equipment in the home because film soundtracks were designed to be played back in large movie theaters using very different professional equipment. Re-Equalization restores the correct tonal balance for watching a movie soundtrack in a small home environment.

Timbre Matching

The human ear changes our perception of a sound depending on the direction from which the sound is coming. In a movie theatre, there is an array of surround speakers so that the surround information is all around you. In a home theatre, you use only two speakers located to the side of your head. The Timbre Matching feature filters the information going to the surround speakers so that they more closely match the tonal characteristics of the sound coming from the front speakers. This ensures seamless panning between the front and surround speakers.

Adaptive Decorrelation

In a movie theatre, a large number of surround speakers help create an enveloping surround sound experience, but in a home theatre there are usually only two speakers. This can make the surround speakers sound like headphones that lack spaciousness and envelopment. The surround sounds will also collapse into the closest speaker as you move away from the middle seating position. Adaptive

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Decorrelation slightly changes one surround channel's time and phase relationship with respect to the other surround channel. This expands the listening position and creates—with only two speakers— the same spacious surround experience as in a movie theatre.

THX Select2

Before any home theatre component can be THX Select2 certified, it must incorporate all the features above and also pass a rigorous series of quality and performance tests. Only then can a product feature the THX Select2 logo, which is your guarantee that the Home Theatre products you purchase will give you superb performance for many years to come. THX Select2 requirements cover every aspect of the product including pre-amplifier and power amplifier performance and operation, and hundreds of other parameters in both the digital and analog domain.

THX Surround EX

THX Surround EX - Dolby Digital Surround EX is a joint development of Dolby Laboratories and the THX Ltd. In a movie theater, film soundtracks that have been encoded with Dolby Digital Surround EX technology are able to reproduce an extra channel which has been added during the mixing of the program. This channel, called Surround Back, places sounds behind the listener in addition to the currently available front left, front center, front right, surround right, surround left and subwoofer channels. This additional channel provides the opportunity for more detailed imaging behind the listener and brings more depth, spacious ambience and sound localization than ever before. Movies that were created using the Dolby Digital Surround EX technology, when released into the home consumer market may exhibit wording to that effect on the packaging. A list of movies created using this technology can be found on the Dolby web site at www.dolby.com.

Only receiver and controller products bearing the THX Surround EX logo, when in the THX Surround EX mode, faithfully reproduce this new technology in the home.

This product may also engage the “THX Surround EX” mode during the playback of 5.1 channel material that is not Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded. In such case the information delivered to the Surround Back channel will be program dependent and may or may not be very pleasing depending on the particular soundtrack and the tastes of the individual listener.

Advanced Speaker Array (ASA)

ASA is a proprietary THX technology which processes the sound fed to 2 side and 2 back surround speakers to provide the optimal surround sound experience. When you set up your home theater system using all eight speaker outputs (Left, Center, Right, Surround Right, Surround Back Right, Surround Back Left, Surround Left and Subwoofer) placing the two Surround Back speakers close together facing the front of the room as shown in the diagram will provide the largest sweet spot. If for practical reasons you have to place the Surround Back speakers apart, you will need to go to the THX Audio Set-up screen and choose the setting that most closely corresponds to the speaker spacing, which will re-optimize the surround sound- field.

ASA is used in three new modes; THX Select2 Cinema, THX MusicMode and THX Games Mode.

THX Select2 Cinema mode

THX Select2 Cinema mode plays 5.1 movies using all 8 speakers giving you the best possible movie watching experience. In this mode, ASA processing blends the side surround speakers and back surround speakers providing the optimal mix of ambient and directional surround sounds.

DTS-ES (Matrix and 6.1 Discrete) and Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded soundtracks will be automatically detected in Select2 Cinema mode if the appropriate flag has been encoded.

Some Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks are missing the digital flag that allows automatic switching. If you know that the movie that

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Contents VSX-2016AV-S Important the Moulded Plug Risk of Electric Shock Do not OpenOperating Environment Contents Other connections Other SettingsUsing other functions Controlling the rest of your systemBefore you start Chapter FeaturesBefore you start Checking what’s in the boxBefore you start Installing the receiver Loading the batteries02 5 minute guide Chapter Automatically setting up for surround sound McaccMinute guide Introduction to home theaterWait for the test tones to finish then confirm Speaker configuration in the OSDMinute guide 02 5 minute guide Better sound using Phase ControlProblems when using the Auto Mcacc Setup Playing a sourceRear panel Connecting your equipmentConnecting your equipment Chapter About the video converter Connecting your equipmentWhen making cable connections 342 Connecting your equipment Connecting your TV and DVD playerConnecting a satellite/cable receiver or other set-top box DVD playerUse an optical cable for the connection Connecting a DVD/HDD recorder, VCR and other video sourcesUsing the component video jacks DVR, VCR, etcConnecting digital audio sources Use a three-way component video cableAbout the WMA9 Pro decoder Connecting analog audio sourcesConnecting a component to the front panel inputs Tape deck, etcConnecting your equipment Installing your speaker system Connecting the speakersBare wire connections Placing the speakersConnecting antennas THX speaker system setupPlugging in the receiver Connecting external antennasPlug the power cord into a power outlet Front panel Controls and displaysControls and displays Chapter Operating range of remote control unit Controls and displaysStream Direct Over / ATTVideo Conv SleepInput Select Controls and displays Remote controlReceiver Multi OPE 6TUNE/ST /ENTERStatus ShiftAuto playback Listening in surround sound Listening to your systemListening to your system Chapter Standard surround soundTHX Games Mode Using the Home THX modesUsing the Advanced surround effects Listening to your systemListening in stereo Selecting Mcacc presetsUsing Stream Direct While listening to a source, press McaccListening to your system Choosing the input signal Using the Virtual Surround Back modeUsing the tone controls Using Midnight and LoudnessUsing the Sound Retriever Press Tone to select the frequency you want to adjustUSB playback Chapter Using the USB interfaceUSB playback Basic playback controlsAbout MPEG-4 AAC USB playbackOther compatibility information About WMASaving station presets Using the tunerUsing the tuner Chapter Listening to the radioListening to station presets Using the tunerNaming station presets An introduction to RDSPress Disp for RDS information Using EONDisplaying RDS information Making receiver settings from the System Setup menu System Setup menuSystem Setup menu Chapter Select the setting you want to adjustSystem Setup menu MemorySurround back speaker setting Make sure ‘OK’ is selected, then press EnterManual Mcacc setup Fine Channel LevelSelect ‘Fine SP Distance’ from the Manual Mcacc setup menu Adjust the level of the left channelWhen youre finished, press Return Fine Speaker DistanceProfessional Acoustic Calibration EQ How to use Professional Acoustic Calibration EQAcoustic Calibration EQ Select ‘EQ Professional’ then press Enter How to interpret the graphical outputUsing Professional Acoustic Calibration EQ Select an option and press EnterData Management EQ OFFRenaming Mcacc presets Checking Mcacc preset dataCopying Mcacc preset data Clearing Mcacc presets Manual speaker setupSpeaker Setting Adjust the level of each channel using the buttons Select a setup optionConfirm your selected setup option Channel LevelCurve Speaker DistanceBass Peak Level Select ‘THX Audio Setting’ from the Manual SP Setup menu THX Audio SettingChoose the X-Curve setting you want Select ‘Return’ then press Enter to finishOther connections Connecting an iPodConnecting your iPod to the receiver Other connections ChapterBasic playback controls Connecting using HdmiOther connections Use To move to previous/next levelsAbout Hdmi Connecting the multichannel analog inputsSecond Zone speaker B setup Selecting the multichannel analog inputsBi-amping your front speakers Switching the speaker system2nd Zone setting only.1 Connect your speakers as shown belowUsing this receiver with a Pioneer plasma display Other connections Bi-wiring your speakersConnecting additional amplifiers LargeDisplay Using the SR+ mode with a Pioneer plasma displayPioneer plasma DVD player Satellite receiver, etcInput Setup menu Other SettingsOther Settings Chapter Input function default and possible settingsSR+ Setup for Pioneer plasma displays Other SettingsOther Setup menu OSD AdjustmentSetting the AV options Using other functionsUsing other functions Chapter Setting What it does OptionsUsing the sleep timer Using other functions Making an audio or a video recordingReducing the level of an analog signal Watching video and audio sources independentlyResetting the system Using other functionsSwitching the speaker impedance Checking your system settingsInputs Default system settingsSetting Default Programming signals from other remote controls Setting the remote to control other componentsSelecting preset codes directly Controlling the rest of your systemConfirming preset codes Erasing one of the remote control button settingsResetting the remote control presets Controlling the rest of your systemDirect function Renaming input source namesMulti Operation and System Off Programming a multi-operation or a shutdown sequenceSelect the button for the command you want to input Using multi operationsUsing System off From the menu and press EnterButtons Function Components Controlling the rest of your system Controls for TVsControls for other components Function ComponentsCH + Operating other Pioneer components with this unit’s sensorDecide which component you want to use the remote sensor + CHAdditional information TroubleshootingPower Additional information ChapterOther audio problems Additional informationVideo SettingsPhase Control feature Display 96 kHzUSB interface Remote controlSymptomRemedy There is a problem with the signal path from Symptom Cause ActionError IPod messagesWindows Media Audio 9 Professional Additional information Surround sound formatsDolby About THX Input signal format Standard Listening modes with different input signal formatsStereo 2 channel signal formats Auto SurroundMultichannel signal formats Pro Logic II Movie Pro Logic IIx MovieNeo6 Cinema Additional information Specifications Cleaning the unitPioneer Corporation 06C00001 Printed ARB7355-A

VSX-2016AV specifications

The Pioneer VSX-2016AV is a versatile and feature-rich AV receiver that has garnered attention for its ability to deliver a cinematic experience in the home. With a focus on sound quality and user-friendly features, the VSX-2016AV stands out as a strong option for both casual listeners and serious home theater enthusiasts.

One of the primary attractions of the VSX-2016AV is its robust audio performance. It supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, ensuring that users can enjoy high-resolution soundtracks from their Blu-ray discs. The receiver also features Pioneer's proprietary Sound Retriever technology that enhances compressed audio files, allowing for a more engaging listening experience, regardless of the source.

The VSX-2016AV does not skimp on connectivity options, offering multiple HDMI inputs and outputs to accommodate a range of devices. This includes support for 4K pass-through, making it future-proof for users with advanced video sources. In addition to HDMI, the receiver also provides options for component video, composite video, and analog audio connections, catering to a variety of setups.

Another standout feature is the integrated MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System) technology. This system automatically calibrates the receiver to the acoustics of the room, ensuring that users experience optimal sound performance based on their specific environment. The result is a well-balanced audio output that enhances the overall listening experience.

With six channels of amplification, the VSX-2016AV is capable of powering a full surround sound system. The receiver provides a total power output of 100 watts per channel, which is ample for most home theater setups. It also includes various sound modes, allowing users to customize the audio output for movies, music, and gaming.

A user-friendly interface and remote control system make it easy to navigate through the various settings and options. The front panel features a clear display that provides vital information about input selection, volume levels, and audio formats. Additionally, Pioneer's iControlAV app enables smartphone control, allowing users to manage their audio settings seamlessly.

In conclusion, the Pioneer VSX-2016AV combines advanced audio technologies with a robust feature set, making it an excellent choice for home entertainment enthusiasts. Its emphasis on sound quality, along with the convenience of connectivity options and user-friendly controls, ensures that it can meet the needs of a diverse range of users. Whether for movie nights or music listening, this AV receiver stands ready to elevate the home audio experience.