Pioneer VSX-531 (North American version)

Pioneer VSX-531 was introduced in 2016. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 23 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.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

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	Pioneer VSX-530-K
HDR10	✔	✖

DOWNGRADES	Pioneer VSX-531	Pioneer VSX-530-K
MHL Input	✖	✔ 1 Rear (Version 2.0)
DLNA 1.5	✖	✔
AirPlay	✖	✔ AirPlay
Smaller Power Supply	210 W	415 W

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

Amplifier

Pioneer VSX-531 has 5 channel amplifier and delivers 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p. It can bypass HDR10.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and 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 up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

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.

Room Correction

Pioneer VSX-531 does not come with room correction system.

Connectivity

Pioneer VSX-531 can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. It has 4 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Front panel has USB and Mini-Jack inputs.

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 Design	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
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification	✖
Dolby Atmos	✖
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization	✖
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	✖
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB	✖
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 Dual Subwoofer Output	✖

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
HDR10	✔
HDR10+	✖
Dynamic HDR	✖
BT.2020 color space	✖
Dolby Vision	✖
Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG)	✖
Quick Media Switching (QMS)	✖
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)	✖
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)	✖
Quick Frame Transport (QFT)	✖
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	✖
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)	✖
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Inputs	4
HDMI Outputs	1
USB Input	1 Front
USB DC Out Port	✖
Analog Audio Line Inputs	3 (1 front)
Analog Audio Line Outputs	✖
Phono Input	✖
Optical Inputs	1
Optical Outputs	✖
Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 / No
Composite Video Inputs	2
Composite Video Outputs	1
S-Video Inputs	✖
S-Video Outputs	✖
Component Video Inputs	✖
Component Video Outputs	✖
PC In	✖
Multi-Channel Input	✖
Analog Pre-Outs	0.1
XLR Inputs	✖
XLR Pre-outs	✖
Front A/V Inputs	USB, Mini-Jack
Speaker A/B	✖
Headphone Out	✔ 6.3 mm

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

MISC
On-Screen Display	✔ HDMI only
AVNavigator	✖
IP Control	✖
PreAmp Mode	✖
Versatile Speaker Configuration	✖
FL Dimmer	✔
Function Rename	✖
Remote Controller	✔
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 channel driven, FTC)	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	Pioneer VSX-531
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	✔ MCACC	✖

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