Pioneer VSX-815 Receiver: Explore Features and Listening Modes

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06Listening to your system

EXPANDED – This mode is especially designed to give sound depth to stereo sources, and lets you hear two-channel (stereo) signals as simulated multichannel surround sound. Use with Dolby Pro Logic for a stereo surround effect. You can also use with Dolby Digital sources for a wider stereo field than the Standard modes.

7-STEREO– This can be selected to give multichannel sound to a stereo source, using all of the speakers in your setup.

VIR. SURR – Creates a virtual surround effect using just the subwoofer and front speakers.

PHONES SURROUND – When listening through headphones, you can still get the effect of overall surround.

Tip

When an Advanced Surround listening mode is selected, the effect level can be adjusted in the range of 10 to 90 by pressing EFFECT/CH SEL (until EFFECT shows in the display). The effect level can be set for each Advanced Surround mode by pressing +/.

1With ‘2 Pro Logic IIx MUSIC’ mode active, press EFFECT/CH SEL repeatedly to select ‘C WIDTH’, ‘DIMEN.’ or ‘PNRM’.

C WIDTH – Center Width provides a better blend of the front speakers by spreading the center channel between the front right and left speakers, making it sound wider (higher settings) or narrower (lower settings). (This is applicable only when using a center speaker.)

DIMEN. – Dimension adjusts the depth of the surround sound balance from front to back, making the sound more distant (minus settings), or more forward (positive settings).

PNRM. – Panorama extends the front stereo image to include the surround speakers for a ‘wraparound’ effect.

2Use the +/– buttons to adjust the setting.

Center Width is adjustable between 0 and 7 (default : 3); Dimension between –3and +3 (default : 0); Panorama is On or Off (default : Off).

3Press EFFECT/CH SEL again to adjust other settings.

Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music settings

When listening to 2-channel sources in Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music mode, there are three further parameters you can adjust: Center

Width, Dimension, and Panorama.1

ADVANCED STEREO/ MIDNIGHT/

STANDARD SURROUND DIRECT LOUDNESS

CH CH

RECEIVER CONTROL

EFFECT

LEVEL

SLEEP

STANDARD

ADV.SURR

STEREO

SLEEP

/CH SEL

 

 

 

 

 

DIALOG E

ACOUSTIC

FL

MIDNIGHT/

DIALOGE

ACOUSTIC

INPUTATT

 

EQ

DIMMER

LOUDNESS

EQ

MUTE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHIFT

EFFECT

LEVEL

 

MASTER

 

/CHSEL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VOLUME

 

 

 

 

 

TOP MENU

RECEIVER CONTROL

MENU

 

 

 

 

Above: VSX-515 (left) and VSX-815/915 (right)

Neo:6 Music settings

• Default setting: 3

When listening to 2-channel sources in Neo:6 Music mode, you can adjust the center image to create a wider stereo effect with vocals. Note that this is only available when using a center speaker.

ADVANCED STEREO/ MIDNIGHT/

STANDARD SURROUND DIRECT LOUDNESS

CH CH

RECEIVER CONTROL

EFFECT

LEVEL

SLEEP

STANDARD

ADV.SURR

STEREO

SLEEP

/CH SEL

 

 

 

 

 

DIALOG E

ACOUSTIC

FL

MIDNIGHT/

DIALOGE

ACOUSTIC

INPUTATT

 

EQ

DIMMER

LOUDNESS

EQ

MUTE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHIFT

EFFECT

LEVEL

 

MASTER

 

/CHSEL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VOLUME

 

 

 

 

 

TOP MENU

RECEIVER CONTROL

MENU

 

 

 

 

Above: VSX-515 (left) and VSX-815/915 (right)

Note

1If the Extended mode is switched off, 2 Pro Logic IIx becomes 2 Pro Logic II (5.1 channel sound), however these settings will still be effective.

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Contents VSX-515-S/-KVSX-815-S/-KVSX-915-S/-K Voltage selector Risk of Electric Shock Do not OpenContents Controlling the rest of your system VSX-815/915 Other SettingsControlling the rest of your system VSX-515 Other connectionsIntroduction to home theater Before you startBefore you start Chapter Loading the batteriesVentilation Installing the receiverBefore you start Illustration shows the VSX-815/915 modelListening to Surround Sound Minute guideMinute guide Chapter Hook up your DVD playerConnect your speakers This receiver Powered02 5 minute guide Surround speakersFor more on this.3 Play a DVD, and adjust the volume to your likingMinute guide 0ch 3.0ch 0ch4.0ch 0ch 5.0ch 02 5 minute guide Using the Quick Setup1ch Above VSX-515 left and VSX-815/915 right Quick surround sound setupQuick surround sound setup Chapter Illustration shows the VSX-915 modelSelect Check OK in the display then press Quick surround sound setupFollowing options then cursor up/down to check the settings EnterOther problems when using the Auto Mcacc Setup Making cable connections Connecting upConnecting up Chapter Component video cables Connecting upVideo cables VSX-815/915 model onlyConnecting up Connecting a DVD player and TV Illustration shows the VSX-915, butUse an optical cable for the connection.4 This receiver Connecting the multichannel analog outputsAudio and Video inputs on this receiver.2 Connecting other audio components About the WMA9 Pro decoderConnecting other video components This receiverIf you connect any source component to Using the component video jacksConnecting to the front panel video terminal Comp 1 DVD Comp 2 TV Comp 3 DVRFM wire antenna Connecting up Connecting antennasUsing external antennas AM loop antennaConnecting up Connecting the speakers VSX-815 model only Hints on speaker placementB speaker systems Overhead view of speaker setup View of 7.1 channel speaker setupConnecting up Operating other Pioneer components Pioneer productsFront panel Controls and displaysControls and displays Chapter STANDBY/ONControls and displays Controls and displays Display Loudness Remote control VSX-815/915Midnight ReceiverTOP Menu AccessSR+ DTV MenuTuner Display DTV ON/OFFDTV Info MPXReset SetupPreset EFFECT/CH SELControls and displays Remote control VSX-515 STEREO/DIRECTMaster Volume + System Setup and Component control buttonsDisplay Operating range of remote control unitVolume + Channel +Auto playback Listening to your systemListening to your system Chapter Listening in surround soundSee which you like.2 Using the Advanced surround effectsListening to your system Use the +/- buttons to adjust the setting Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music settingsNeo6 Music settings Press EFFECT/CH SEL again to adjust other settingsImage Listening in stereoListening with Acoustic Calibration EQ Listening to your system Choosing the input signal Press Extended Mode front panel to Extended modeUsing the surround back channel Select a surround back channel optionSwitched off VSB OFF.1Press Dialog E to switch dialog enhancement on or off Using the tone controlsPress Tone to select the frequency you want to adjust Enhancing dialogVSX-815/915 model Listening to your system Playing other sourcesVSX-515 model Off Listening to your system Using the sleep timer30 min Press Sleep repeatedly to set the sleep timeSurround back speaker setting System Setup menuSystem Setup menu Chapter Press Return to confirm and exit the current menuSystem Setup menu Manual Mcacc speaker setupFine Channel Level Fine Channel DistanceAcoustic Calibration EQ Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ automaticallySettings Copying your Acoustic Calibration EQ Channel you want, using Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ manuallyChecking your Acoustic Calibration EQ settings Right to check the settingsSystem Setup menu Manual speaker setup Speaker settingCrossover network When you’re finished, press ReturnDefault setting 100Hz Channel levelSelect ‘SP DISTN.’ from the SP Setup menu Confirm your selected setup optionWhen you’re finished, press Return Tip Speaker DistanceTuning directly to a station Using the tunerUsing the tuner Chapter Listening to the radioDisplay shows ST. MEMORY, then a blinking memory class Using the tunerSaving station presets Press EnterChanging the frequency step Naming station presetsListening to station presets Making an audio or a video recording Making recordingsMaking recordings Chapter Source as for the recorder.1Controlling the rest of your system Setting the remote to control other componentsSelecting preset codes directly Controlling the rest of your system ChapterClearing all the remote control settings Controlling the rest of your system Direct functionInput VolumeControlling the rest of your system Controls for TVs Select ChannelDisc Controlling the rest of your systemControls for other components Enter Guide DVD Recorder Controlling the rest of your system Preset Code ListOn digital STB Manufacturer CodeRemote LCD display shows Setup Use Cursor left/right to select Preset then press EnterLCD display shows OK.2 Programming signals from other remote controlsUse cursor left/right to select Learn then press Enter Use cursor left/right to select Erase then press Enter Erasing all of the remote control presetsPress the Receiver button to exit and store the operations Press and hold the button to be erased for two secondsConfirming preset codes Use cursor left/right to select Direct F then press EnterSelect Button must be pressed twice to take effect Cassette deck Stops playback on some models, pressing this whenSHIFT+ + CH+ HDD Shift+ CH Other connections Second Zone speaker B setupSwitching the speaker system Other connections ChapterOther connections Bi-wiring your speakersSelect the SB Biamp setting from the ‘SB. SYSTEM’ menu Bi-amping your front speakersOther connections Connecting additional amplifiers Pioneer plasma displayDisplay Using the SR+ mode with a Pioneer plasma displayPioneer plasma DVD player Satellite receiver, etcInput Assign menu Other SettingsOther Settings Chapter Assigning the digital inputsDynamic Range Control Setup Other SettingsOther setup menu Dual Mono SetupLFE Attenuator Setup SR+ Setup for Pioneer plasma displaysAdditional information Chapter TroubleshootingAdditional information Plus Refer to Using the surround back channel Extended mode onAdditional information See Operating other Pioneer components on Connecting the speakers onVSX-815/915 only The SR Press System Setup to confirm Additional information Resetting the main unitSwitching the speaker impedance OK? shows in the displayAudio section Additional information SpecificationsAmplifier section Video SectionAM Tuner Section Power cord cautionCleaning the unit MiscellaneousPioneer Corporation

VSX-815-S/-K, VSX-915-S/-K specifications

The Pioneer VSX-915-S/-K and VSX-815-S/-K are part of Pioneer's renowned line of AV receivers that provide home theater enthusiasts with an impressive range of features and technologies. These models are particularly recognized for their exceptional audio quality and versatility, making them ideal for both music lovers and movie enthusiasts alike.

One of the standout features of the VSX-915 is its Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding capabilities, which allow users to experience high-definition audio quality that matches the latest in cinematic releases. This model is equipped with Pioneer's Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC), enabling automatic speaker setup and optimization based on the room's acoustics. This technology ensures that listeners enjoy a balanced sound field, regardless of the room's layout.

The VSX-815 model, while slightly more compact, does not compromise on functionality. It retains essential features such as Dolby Digital EX and DTS 96/24 decoding, providing rich surround sound that enhances the home theater experience. The unit's direct energy HD amplification delivers robust audio output while maintaining low distortion levels, ensuring that high-frequency details are preserved without sacrificing power.

Both models include a robust selection of inputs and outputs, including HDMI connectivity, which supports 1080p video pass-through. This makes it compatible with a variety of modern devices, from Blu-ray players to gaming consoles. The VSX-915 also supports multi-zone audio distribution, allowing users to enjoy different sources in different rooms, which adds a layer of convenience for those who like to entertain.

Pioneer's proprietary technologies, such as the Phase Control, help in enhancing sound clarity, providing a more coherent audio experience. Additionally, both receivers feature a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) for easy navigation through settings and options.

In terms of design, both the VSX-915-S/-K and VSX-815-S/-K feature an elegant and functional aesthetic that fits well in any home entertainment setup. With their build quality and attention to detail, they are built to last while delivering superior sound quality.

In summary, the Pioneer VSX-915-S/-K and VSX-815-S/-K represent an excellent investment in high-quality home audio experiences, combining advanced technologies and user-friendly features that cater to both casual listeners and dedicated audiophiles.