Pioneer VSX-531 (North American version)

•   Overview
•   Pros and Cons
•   Predecessor
•   Audio Section
•   Video Section
•   Multi-zone Playback
•   Inputs and Outputs
•   Specifications
•   Successor

Pioneer VSX-531 was introduced in 2016. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 4K/60Hz video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 64 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.

In this section we present pros and cons of Pioneer VSX-531.

Here we are comparing Pioneer VSX-531 to its predecessor VSX-530-K and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Pioneer VSX-531	vs	Pioneer VSX-530-K
Auto Level Control		vs
HDR10		vs
Front A/V Inputs	USB, Mini-Jack	vs	USB

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer VSX-531	vs	Pioneer VSX-530-K
Front Stage Surround Advance		vs
Headphone Surround		vs
Super Resolution		vs
MHL Input		vs	1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5		vs
AirPlay		vs	AirPlay
Remote Controll App		vs	iControlAV5 (for iOS and Android)
Smaller Power Supply	210 W	vs	415 W

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer VSX-531 vs Pioneer VSX-530-K.

5 channel Discrete Direct Energy Amplifier

Pioneer VSX-531 features 5 channel power amplifier with Discrete Direct Energy design. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Speaker Configurations

Pioneer VSX-531's 5 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Configurations: Available configurations are:
5.1 with internal amplifier.

Sound Processing

• Advanced Sound Retriever: Compressed music enhancement in Pioneer VSX-531 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.

HDMI

Pioneer VSX-531 features 4 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

• 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (4:4:4) video signal.
• 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-531 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

andh3>HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Pioneer VSX-531 supports HDR (high dynamic range) video formats such as HDR10. 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.

Audio

• Analog Line Inputs: There are 3 line inputs for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 1 optical output 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: 4   Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 0
• Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Pioneer VSX-531.

BASICS
Brand	Pioneer
Model	VSX-531
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	North America
Release Year	2016

AMPLIFIER
Channels	5.1
Amplifier	Discrete Direct Energy
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Texas Instruments Aureus
DAC Specs	192 kHz/24 Bit
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic	PLII
Dolby Digital EX
Surround EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network
DSD via HDMI	2-ch Input
DSD via USB
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction
Auto Level Control
Dialog Enhancement
Dialogue Lift
Sound Retriever	Advanced (2-Channel)
Sound Retriever AIR
Digital Noise Reduction
Tone Control	Front L/R Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	Advanced Sound Retriever
High-resolution Music Enhancer
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Direct Mode
Pure Direct Mode
Auto Surround
Optimum Surround
Advanced Surround	10 + 1
Wide Surround
Front Stage Surround Advance
Headphone Surround
Virtual Speakers
Virtual Depth
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
Manual MCACC
Phase Control
Full Band Phase Control
Standing Wave Control
EQ Bands
Symmetric EQ
X-Curve
Distance Adjustment	0.1 feet
Precision Distance
Polarity Check
Auto Subwoofer Crossover

VIDEO
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
BT.2020 color space
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (4:4:4)
Video Signal Upscaling
Analog To HDMI Upconversion
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Stream Smoother
Pure Cinema
Video Parameter Adjustments
Triple HD Noise Reduction
Super Resolution
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay
Apple Product Connection
Remote App
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC
HDBaseT Compatible
HDMI Inputs	4
HDMI Outputs	1
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port
RCA Line Input	3 (1 front)
RCA Line Output
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	1
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	1
Composite Video Input	2
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	0.1
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	USB, Mini-Jack
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")

ZONES
Zones	1
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0

MISC
On-Screen Display	HDMI only
AVNavigator
IP Control for CI
PreAmp Mode
Versatile Speaker Configuration
FL Dimmer
Function Rename
Detachable Power Cord
adapterport

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Presets	30
Digital Radio
Internet Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Front Panel	Brushed
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	5
Large Speaker Terminals	2
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
Ceramic Speaker Terminals
3D Space Frame Construction
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Low Leakage Flux Power Transformer
Transformer Stabilizer
Power Consumption	210 W
Standby Power	0.45 W

GENERAL
Auto Power off
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 168 mm x 320.5 mm 17-1/8" x 6-5/8" x 12-5/8"
Weight	8.0 kg (17 lb 10 oz)
Warranty	1 Year Parts & Labor

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	80 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, FTC)	140 W (1% THD)
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Bluetooth Version	3.0
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
HDMI Terminal	Type A (19-pin)
HDMI Output Type	5 V, 55 mA
USB Terminal	USB2.0 (Type A) 5 V, 0.5 A
Extension Terminal
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108 MHz
AM Frequency	530 kHz - 1700 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted

In 2017 Pioneer VSX-531 was replaced by VSX-532. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Pioneer VSX-532	vs	Pioneer VSX-531
Front Stage Surround Advance		vs
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	MCACC	vs
Manual MCACC		vs
Auto Subwoofer Crossover		vs
Versatile Speaker Configuration	FRONT, CENTER, SURROUND	vs

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer VSX-532	vs	Pioneer VSX-531
Front A/V Inputs	USB	vs	USB, Mini-Jack

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pioneer VSX-531 vs Pioneer VSX-532.