Pioneer VSX-LX503 a good choice for 7.1.4 atmos?

[Hokies83]

Still no feed back, guess there is not to much known About this model,
So Guess I’ll be the guinea pig and post my feed back, it’s arriving tomorrow, so I’ll have some feed back by the end of the week, I’m no reviewer but I’ll do my best.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Not many people here own Pioneer/Onkyo. Most people own either Yamaha or Denon/Marantz.

But as Phase 2 and I have said, sound quality should as good as any. Only potential issue is reliability, but that's something down the line if it happens.

 

[Hokies83]

So far so good, only peeve I have so far is it will only let me set my 8ohms speakers to 6ohms,

Also confirmed it does support eARC !!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would ALWAYS set it to 8 ohms, regardless of the impedance of your speakers.

 

[Hokies83]

I would ALWAYS set it to 8 ohms, regardless of the impedance of your speakers.

Won’t let me, in settings only has options for 4ohms and 6ohms

 

[lovinthehd]

Won’t let me, in settings only has options for 4ohms and 6ohms

Use the highest setting, 6 ohm in your case.

 

[Hokies83]

Just first impressions but it does sound better then my Yamaha, the audio is much more immersive just from my initial listening to Jack Ryan shadow recruit on amazon in Dolby atmos.

 

[Phase 2]

I like the yellow display.

 

[Hokies83]

I like the yellow display.

Yes it is a much nicer looking unit then the Yamaha,

 

[Phase 2]

Yes it is a much nicer looking unit then the Yamaha,
View attachment 28880

Much easier to read! Yamaha use to have the yellow display.

 

[Hokies83]

Much easier to read! Yamaha use to have the yellow display.

So far my only issues is it won’t do 8ohms,
And on crossover “ not such and issue for me cause all my speakers are bookshelves “ but there is small and large if you set 4 speakers to small the crossover is global to all the ones set small, same with the ones set to large,

But I’m running all mine at 80hz crossover. Same as on the Yamaha,

4K hdr is working fine on my PS4 Fire tv and Xbox one X,
The UI is pretty simple on it easy to navigate pretty user friendly.

The MCACC seems to be an updated advanced version and did a better job on setup then Yamahas Ypao.

 

[lovinthehd]

So far my only issues is it won’t do 8ohms,
And on crossover “ not such and issue for me cause all my speakers are bookshelves “ but there is small and large if you set 4 speakers to small the crossover is global to all the ones set small, same with the ones set to large,

But I’m running all mine at 80hz crossover. Same as on the Yamaha,

4K hdr is working fine on my PS4 Fire tv and Xbox one X,
The UI is pretty simple on it easy to navigate pretty user friendly.

The MCACC seems to be an updated advanced version and did a better job on setup then Yamahas Ypao.

That's really not the way it works as far as impedance for the amp goes, it does do 8 ohms and above and below as well (within limits); the lower ohm setting is simply a limitation. Try this article https://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/impedance-selector-switch-1

 

[nbk13nw]

Yeah, the Onkyo has the same settings. 4 ohms and below or 6 ohms and above. Running a pair of KEF Q900's as mains, a KEF Q650 center, two pair of KEF Q100's and 2 pair of RSL C34E's for Atmos, 4 Chane SB118's. No issues.

 

[Hokies83]

Hmmm receiver is showing everything I play is 4k... upscaling is turned off,
Playing a 720p you tube video and receiver and tv are saying it’s 4k lol

 

[lovinthehd]

Are you upscaling in the video source?

 

[Hokies83]

Are you upscaling in the video source?

Nope, nothing changed just recivers,
The content I’m seeing is diff not 4K tho lol

 

[Hokies83]

I’ll make a call to pioneer,

 

[Hokies83]

Got the upscale issue sorted,

Making a direct compare to the Yamaha,

1. Yamaha RX683 runs cooler, pioneer has noticeably more heat.

2. The version of MCACC on the pioneer from my observations is superior to the ypao on the Yamaha,

3. In 2 channel stereo the Yamaha sounds better on the higher end but the pioneer seems to win on the low end.

4. Surround sound now I’m comparing 5.1.2 vs 7.1.4 so not exactly fair, but when it comes to bouncing sounds around the pioneer is the clear winner, the 3D audio from the pioneer makes the hair raise on your neck.

5 configuration Yamaha seems to have more options in the UI and it’s system seems a little better, But on the other hand the pioneers is more user friendly and lets you adjust the the EQ on the speakers which my Yamaha did not.

6. Looks the pioneer just looks better then the Yamaha in every way.

Conclusions,
I am happy with the purchase especially at $549 free shipping and no taxes,
I was wanting a denon H4500 reciver and couldn’t find it for the price point I was looking even at used, best I ever found was at AA refurbished for $899 and a crappy 1 year warranty,
Although not the denon for $549 and a 3 year warranty from a major manufacturer I don’t think you can beat the Pioneer LX503 when looking for a 7.2.4 atmos system on a budget.