Pioneer VSX-1131

    85
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    Highlights

    • 7.2 Channels
    • 7.1 Channel Processing
    • 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
    • HDR10, Dolby Vision
    • 4K/60Hz Passthrough, 4K/30Hz Upscaling
    • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet
    • Phono Input
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pioneer VSX-1131 was introduced in 2017. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K video signal.

    We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 85 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer VSX-1131.

    PROs

    •   Dolby Atmos
    •   DTS:X
    •   DSD via HDMI
    •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
    •   HDR10
    •   Dolby Vision
    •   New HDCP Version
    •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
    •   Wi-Fi
    •   Bluetooth
    •   Chromecast Built-In
    •   7 HDMI Inputs
    •   USB Input
    •   Phono Input
    •   Composite Video Inputs
    •   Component Video Inputs
    •   Ethernet
    •   Analog Tuner
    •   Pandora
    •   Spotify

    CONs

    •   No Front Wide Channel Support
    •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    •   No IMAX Enhanced
    •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    •   No HDR10+
    •   No eARC
    •   No 8K Passthrough
    •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
    •   0 8K Input
    •   No RCA Pre-Outs
    •   No Digital Radio
    •   No Tidal

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   Power Output - 100 W
    •   7.1 Channel Processing
    •   2 HDMI Outputs
    •   RCA Line Inputs
    •   2 Zones
    •   Bluetooth 4․1 + LE

    Pioneer 2017 Lineup

    In 2017 Pioneer released 14 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

    Pioneer 2017 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Immersive AudioHDRZones Price
    SC-LX502 Image cannot be found 7.2120 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    2
    VSX-LX302 Image cannot be found 7.2100 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    2
    VSX-LX102 Image cannot be found 7.280 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    1
    VSX-932 Image cannot be found 7.280 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    1
    VSX-832 Image cannot be found 5.180 W5.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    1
    VSX-532 Image cannot be found 5.180 W5.1 MCACCHDR101
    SC-LX901 Image cannot be found 11.2140 W11.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    3
    SC-LX801 Image cannot be found 9.2140 W11.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    3
    SC-LX701 Image cannot be found 9.2135 W11.211.2 MCACC ProDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    3
    SC-LX501 Image cannot be found 7.2120 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    2
    VSX-LX301 Image cannot be found 7.2100 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    2
    VSX-LX101 Image cannot be found 7.280 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    1
    VSX-1131 Image cannot be found 7.2100 W7.1 MCACCDolby Atmos
    DTS:X
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    2
    VSX-831 Image cannot be found 5.280 W5.1 MCACCHDR10
    Dolby Vision
    1

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Pioneer SC-LX502 vs VSX-LX302 vs VSX-LX102 vs VSX-932 vs VSX-832 vs VSX-532.

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pioneer VSX-1131 to its predecessor VSX-1130-K and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pioneer VSX-1131 vs Pioneer VSX-1130-K
    Higher DAC Specs 384 kHz/32 Bit vs 192 kHz/24 Bit
    Dolby Surround Upmixer vs
    DTS:X vs
    DTS Neural:X vs
    HDR10 vs
    BT.2020 color space vs
    Dolby Vision vs
    Chromecast Built-In vs
    More Optical Inputs 2 vs 1
    More RCA Line Inputs 5 (1 front) vs 3
    Phono Input vs
    Front A/V Inputs HDMI, USB, Mini-Jack vs HDMI, USB
    More Powered Zones 2 vs HDMI
    Bigger Power Supply 580 W vs 550 W
    Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC) 170 W (1% THD) vs 165 W (1% THD)
    Higher S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) 106 dB vs 101 dB
    Wi-Fi Standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n vs IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
    Newer Bluetooth Version 4․1 + LE vs 2․1 + EDR
    Wider AM Frequency Range 530 kHz - 1710 kHz vs 530 kHz - 1700 kHz
    DOWNGRADES Pioneer VSX-1131 vs Pioneer VSX-1130-K
    Front Wide Channel Support vs
    Dolby Pro Logic vs
    DTS Neo vs Neo:6
    DSD to PCM Converter vs
    Jitter Reduction vs
    Dialog Enhancement vs
    Sound Retriever Advanced (2-Channel) vs Advanced (Multi-Channel / Auto with ARC)
    Sound Retriever AIR vs
    Digital Noise Reduction vs
    High-resolution Music Enhancer vs Hi-bit24 Audio Processing
    Headphone Surround vs
    Virtual Speakers vs (Surround Back/Height/Wide)
    Less Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System MCACC vs MCACC Pro
    Higher MCACC Memory 1 vs 6
    Auto Phase Control Plus vs
    Standing Wave Control vs
    Distance Adjustment 0.1 feet vs 1/2 Inch
    Polarity Check vs
    Component Video Maximum Resolution 480i/576i vs 1080p (1125p)
    Video Parameter Adjustments vs
    MHL Input vs 1 Rear (Version 2.0)
    DLNA 1.5 vs
    Less HDMI Outputs 2 (simultaneous) vs 2 (1 for MAIN, 1 for MAIN/HDZONE)
    Less Composite Video Outputs vs 1
    Remote (IR) Input/Output 0 / 0 vs 1 / 1
    Multi-Zone On-Screen Display vs HDZone
    AVNavigator vs Built-in
    Less Presets 40 vs 63

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer VSX-1131 vs VSX-1130-K.

    Audio Section

    7 channel Discrete Direct Energy Amplifier

    Pioneer VSX-1131 features 7 channel power amplifier with Discrete Direct Energy design. It is rated at 100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

      AMPLIFIER
      Channels7.2
      Power Output100 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
      Front Wide Channel Support
      Amplifier DesignDiscrete Direct Energy
      THX™ Certification
      Continuous 6 Ω Rated
      Certified 4 Ω Performance
      Bi-amp Capability

      Speaker Configurations

      Pioneer VSX-1131's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

      • Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
      • 5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
      • DTS:X Configurations: The speaker configurations for DTS:X are the same as for Dolby Atmos:
      • 5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
      • Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
      • 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
      • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Pioneer VSX-1131 allows you to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.
      Pioneer VSX-1131

      Dolby Atmos

      Pioneer VSX-1131 supports Dolby Atmos. It is a cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

      • Dolby Surround Upmixer: If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

      DTS:X

      Pioneer VSX-1131 supports DTS:X. A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.

      • DTS Neural:X: DTS Neural:X is an advanced upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.
      DECODING
      Dolby Atmos
      Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      Dolby Atmos Music
      Dolby TrueHD
      Dolby Digital Plus
      Dolby Surround Upmixer
      Dolby Pro Logic
      Dolby Digital EX
      Surround EX
      DTS:X
      DTS Neural:X
      DTS Virtual:X
      DTS Neo
      DTS-HD Master Audio
      DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
      DTS 96/24
      DTS Express
      DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
      IMAX Enhanced
      Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer

      Sound Processing

      • Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer VSX-1131 is done by Pioneer’s Advanced Sound Retriever. Hear the detail, warmth and clarity, the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3 and WMA files stored on USB, Smartphone and portable media players. By restoring data that tend to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneers Advanced Sound Retriever Technology enhances audio reproduction all the way upto 20 Khz frequencies.

      Room Calibration

      Pioneer VSX-1131 comes with MCACC room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

      • MCACC: Pioneer’s exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System (MCACC) delivers an easy-to-use, automatic sound adjustment system to precision-tune your Pioneer and Pioneer Elite receivers with minimal effort. Every MCACC system comes with a microphone to measure and analyze reverb characteristics. The equalizer optimally adjusts sound parameters to fit the size and shape of your home environment while maintaining the integrity of high-resolution playback without any degradation to the quality of your music.

      Video Section

      HDMI

      Pioneer VSX-1131 features 7 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

      • 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit)
        4K/60p (4:2:0 36-bit)
        4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit) video signal.
      • 4K Upscaling: Pioneer VSX-1131 can upscale up to 4K from HDMI and analog sources.
      • Analog To HDMI Upconversion: The a/v receiver supports video upconversion, so you can connect your analog Component and Composite video sources and Pioneer VSX-1131 will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
      • BT.2020 Color Space: BT.2020 or Rec. 2020 is a color standard which delivers a wider color gamut compared to Rec. 709. It covers approximately 75% of the total visual spectrum while the Rec. 709 covers only 35%.
      • HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
      • 3D Ready: Pioneer VSX-1131 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

      HDR (High Dynamic Range)

      Pioneer VSX-1131 supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as HDR10 and Dolby Vision. High dynamic range video has greater dynamic range than standard dynamic range (SDR) video with brighter whites and deeper blacks. The result is greater contrast and more details in dark and bright areas, better color and depth.

      • HDR10: HDR10 uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors. It is technically limited to a maximum of 10,000 nits peak brightness, however common HDR10 contents are mastered with peak brightness from 1,000 to 4,000 nits.
      • Dolby Vision: Dolby Vision is a set of technologies developed by Dolby Laboratories for high dynamic range (HDR) video. It covers content creation, distribution, and playback. Like HDR10+, it includes dynamic metadata that are used to adjust and optimize each frame of the HDR video to the consumer display's capabilities in a way specified by the content creator. Dolby Vision allows for a maximum resolution of 8K up to 12-bit color depth, maximum peak brightness of 10,000 nits and a color gamut up to Rec. 2020. It uses Dolby's proprietary dynamic metadata defined in SMPTE ST 2094-10.
      Pioneer VSX-1131
      VIDEO FEATURES
      HDR10
      HDR10+
      Dynamic HDR
      BT.2020 color space
      Dolby Vision
      HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
      HDBaseT Compatible
      Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
      HDCP Version2.2
      QMS (Quick Media Switching)
      ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
      VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
      QFT (Quick Frame transport)
      3-D Ready
      Video Signal Passthroughup to 4K/60p (4:4:4 24-bit)
      4K/60p (4:2:0 36-bit)
      4K/24p (4:4:4 36-bit)
      Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K

      Multi-zone Playback

      Pioneer VSX-1131 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 2 different rooms.


      Zone 2

      • Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
      • Audio Line Output: If you have a dedicated integrated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via line outs by sending fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.
      ZONES
      Number of Zones2
      Powered Zones 2
      Zone 2 OutsLine Out
      RS-232C Interface
      +12V Trigger Output
      Remote (IR) Input/Output0 / 0

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      Inputs and Outputs

      Audio

      • Phono Input: There is an MM phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the a/v receiver.
      • Analog Line Inputs: There are 5 line inputs for analog audio connection.
      • Digital Inputs: 2 optical inputs and 1 coaxial input are available for digital audio connection.
      • Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

      Video

      • HDMI:
      • Inputs: 7 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
        8K Inputs: 0
      • Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
      • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 0
      • Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one. Pioneer VSX-1131 supports up to 480i/576i resolution on Component video connectors.
      • Inputs: 1   Outputs: 0

      Front A/V Inputs

      • HDMI, USB, Mini-Jack
      Image cannot be found
      Image cannot be found
      TERMINALS
      HDMI Inputs7 (1 front)
      HDMI Outputs2 (simultaneous)
      8K Inputs
      USB Input1 Front
      USB DC Out Port
      Optical Inputs2
      Optical Outputs
      Coaxial Inputs1
      RCA Line Inputs5 (1 front)
      RCA Line Outputs
      XLR Line Inputs
      Phono Input
      Multi-Channel Input
      RCA Pre-Outs0.2
      XLR Pre-outs
      Composite Video Inputs2
      Composite Video Outputs
      S-Video Inputs
      S-Video Outputs
      Component Video Inputs1
      Component Video Outputs

      Pioneer VSX-1131 Evaluation

      We evaluate Pioneer VSX-1131 and give score of 85 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


      OVERALL
      85

      Amplifier

      GOOD
      83

      We give Pioneer VSX-1131 a score of 83 for Amplifier features.

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   Power Output - 100 W

      Audio Features

      EXCELLENT
      86

      We give Pioneer VSX-1131 a score of 86 for Audio Features features.

      •   7.2 Channels
      •   No Front Wide Channel Support
      •   7.1 Channel Processing
      •   Dolby Atmos
      •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
      •   DTS:X
      •   No IMAX Enhanced
      •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
      •   DSD via HDMI

      Video Features

      EXCELLENT
      92

      We give Pioneer VSX-1131 a score of 92 for Video Features features.

      •   HDR10
      •   No HDR10+
      •   Dolby Vision
      •   No 8K Passthrough
      •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion

      Connectivity

      GOOD
      83

      We give Pioneer VSX-1131 a score of 83 for Connectivity features.

      •   No eARC
      •   New HDCP Version
      •   Wi-Fi
      •   Bluetooth
      •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
      •   Chromecast Built-In
      •   7 HDMI Inputs
      •   2 HDMI Outputs
      •   0 8K Input
      •   USB Input
      •   RCA Line Inputs
      •   Phono Input
      •   No RCA Pre-Outs
      •   Composite Video Inputs
      •   Component Video Inputs
      •   Ethernet
      •   Bluetooth 4․1 + LE

      Zones

      GOOD
      77

      We give Pioneer VSX-1131 a score of 77 for Zones features.

      •   2 Zones

      Radio

      EXCELLENT
      85

      We give Pioneer VSX-1131 a score of 85 for Radio features.

      •   Analog Tuner
      •   Pandora
      •   Spotify
      •   No Tidal


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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