Pioneer VSX 604S - A good compromise?
Chris Turkstra
I'm considering buing a VSX 604S pro logic reciever. Now don't laugh
when I tell you that the main reason I'm cunsidering buying it instead
of some some much more expensive pro login gear is the remote and the
ISC on screen control stuff. This unit has an IR emitter that will
turn on the TV and VCR and set them appropriately when pressing the
"big red ON button."
My main requirements are good sound and ease of use (meaning my wife
can use it without me spending an hour teaching her).
So the questions are:
Am I just plain silly? In other words - how usefull is the remote
control and on-screen stuff after using it for 6 months - really?
How does it sound? I'm not expecting Bryston sound from the
integrated amp, but are there any special shortcomings I should know
about? Someone will be wathcing TV with this unit about 2 hours/day.
BTW - I'm probably using Paradigm 7seMk3 & CC300 front speakers and
Boston Acoustics sattelites from a Sub/Sat/Six combo (existing) for
surround. If I find some extra money, I'll buy an amp for the center
and use the BA sub from previously mentioned combo.
Thanks in advance!
Chris.
kLIP
>Hello!
>I'm considering buing a VSX 604S pro logic reciever. Now don't laugh
>when I tell you that the main reason I'm cunsidering buying it instead
>of some some much more expensive pro login gear is the remote and the
>ISC on screen control stuff. This unit has an IR emitter that will
>turn on the TV and VCR and set them appropriately when pressing the
>"big red ON button."
>How does it sound? I'm not expecting Bryston sound from the
>integrated amp, but are there any special shortcomings I should know
>about? Someone will be wathcing TV with this unit about 2 hours/day.
>BTW - I'm probably using Paradigm 7seMk3 & CC300 front speakers and
>Boston Acoustics sattelites from a Sub/Sat/Six combo (existing) for
>surround. If I find some extra money, I'll buy an amp for the center
>and use the BA sub from previously mentioned combo.
The Pioneer 604 does have pretty good sound unless you are going to
use it for Home Theater use. The surround channel is VERY anemic.
Make sure you listen to the unit closely before you buy. You will find
that to get any sound from the surround speakers, the rear volume
will have to be adjusted to the maximum setting (unless you have
very,very efficient surround speakers) , then the resulting output
is weak. Other receivers that have this same tendency are Optimus
(made by Pioneer) Harmon Kardon, and some low end Sony models.
The problem is not the power that is available to drive the rear
speakers, but the lack of range of adjustment to properly balance
the system for good sound.
kLIP
Kim Qvickman
> You can add the new Onkyo TX-SV424 to the list of anemic surround
> channels. When using it in surround mode I can BARELY detect anything
> coming out of those rear speakers. I have to put my ear right up
> to the speaker and feel the sides to make sure there is anything coming
> out at all. Kinda disappointing but I bought the thing because I knew
> someone that worked at an audio place and gave me good deal.
I listened to the Onkyo TX-SV424 and had no problems hearing the surround
channel. I think something else is wrong with your system. You do understand
the Dolby Pro Logic system do you? Most of the sound that you'll be hearing
will come from the center, left and right channels. The surround channel
shouldn't be heard "directly" from the speaker but indirectly surrounding
the listener and filling the whole room.
This seems to be a common problem among the new Dolby Surround system owners.
When wathing a movie they just concentrate on hearing sounds from the rear
speakers and get very disappointed when there is almost nothing coming from
the rear speakers.
-Kim-
David James Isham
No, there is nothing wrong with my setup. There are definite differences
between good Pro-logic receivers and bad ones. Overall, the onkyo is
lacking in power all around. On top of that, in pro-logic mode the power
is reduced even more. The sound has quite a bit of distortion and just
sounds crappy in general (in surround mode that is). Of course, what
does one expect for $280! Other than that, it's an ok receiver. If I had
to do it over again I would have opted to go another route.
dave
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David Isham
Environmental Engineering Flush Hard, It's a LONG way to
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo the next town.......
dis...@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu
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