Pioneer VSX-LX805From real comments

Verdict distilled from 40 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment45%
PROS 45%
CONS 55%

Rank based on 40 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a neutral, detailed reference-style sound and are willing to do a full Dirac Live UMIK-1 calibration
  • You value extensive room-correction flexibility (multiple Dirac slots, DLBC) and modern HDMI 2.1 features
  • You can find it discounted (many bought around $1500-1900) rather than paying full $2900-3000 price

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You loved the punchy, warm sound of older Class D Pioneer Elite models like the SC-LX901/904
  • You run a phantom-center 2-channel setup and are sensitive to dialogue clarity issues reported out of the box
  • You want premium finishing touches like gold-plated binding posts/inputs or a flush (non drop-down) front door

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formatsConvenient front-panel S/video accessFlexible speaker configurationMarketing/title inaccuracyPerceived brand decline in receivers
Panasonic SA-BX500
Modern decoding formats
Convenient front-panel S/video access
Flexible speaker configuration
Marketing/title inaccuracy
Perceived brand decline in receivers
Best value
2Mid
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correctionStrong value for priceExcellent Atmos and multichannel sound qualityHistory of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units4-ohm impedance switch pitfallSteep international price disparities
Onkyo TX-RZ70
Dirac Live room correction
Strong value for price
Excellent Atmos and multichannel sound quality
History of HDMI board failures in Onkyo units
4-ohm impedance switch pitfall
Steep international price disparities
3Premium
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound qualityStrong power delivers 11 independent channelsEffective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakersSubwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failureCriticized power supply and component quality for the price
Marantz SR8012
Excellent music and movie sound quality
Strong power delivers 11 independent channels
Effective Audyssey room correction for mixed speakers
Subwoofer integration with Audyssey is inconsistent
4-ohm speaker load can cause unit failure
Criticized power supply and component quality for the price
4Premium
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
Marantz AV10
Excellent long-term sound quality
5Mid
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI SupportGood DSP Sound ProgramsGood Price-to-Performance ValueMenu System Criticized by Some
Yamaha RX-V573
Future-Proof HDMI Support
Good DSP Sound Programs
Good Price-to-Performance Value
Menu System Criticized by Some
6Premium
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputsLong-term reliabilityBest-in-class control appComplex menu and setupInconsistent subwoofer bass handlingHDMI and setup issues for some users
Yamaha RX-A3080
High-end DACs and XLR outputs
Long-term reliability
Best-in-class control app
Complex menu and setup
Inconsistent subwoofer bass handling
HDMI and setup issues for some users
7Mid
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correctionClear, detailed sound qualityStrong value for the priceBrand reliability concernsHDMI switching and dropout issuesBluetooth headphone switching is manual
Onkyo TX-NR7100
Dirac Live room correction
Clear, detailed sound quality
Strong value for the price
Brand reliability concerns
HDMI switching and dropout issues
Bluetooth headphone switching is manual
8Mid
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factorBenefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outsWarm, musical Marantz sound signatureLimited power may require an external amp for demanding setupsRuns warmOnly one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
Marantz NR1711
Slim, space-saving form factor
Benefits greatly from external power amp via pre-outs
Warm, musical Marantz sound signature
Limited power may require an external amp for demanding setups
Runs warm
Only one HDMI port with full 4K/120 HDR support
9Premium
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound MappingClear, Detailed Sound QualityStrong Multichannel PowerDated, Uninspired Chassis DesignDim, Hard-to-Read DisplayNo Phono Input
Sony STR-AZ7000ES
Immersive 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
Clear, Detailed Sound Quality
Strong Multichannel Power
Dated, Uninspired Chassis Design
Dim, Hard-to-Read Display
No Phono Input
10Mid
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction8K future-proofingEasy initial setupConfusing speaker/subwoofer setupHarsh highs out of the boxPerceived sound quality decline vs older models
Denon AVR-X1700H
Overall positive owner satisfaction
8K future-proofing
Easy initial setup
Confusing speaker/subwoofer setup
Harsh highs out of the box
Perceived sound quality decline vs older models
You are here
31Premium
Pioneer VSX-LX805
Exceptional sound after full Dirac Live calibrationGood value when discountedNeutral, detailed reference-like sound signatureShift from Class D to Class A/B amplification concernsDialogue and vocal clarity issues out of the boxFlat or underwhelming sound versus older/other models
Pioneer VSX-LX805
Exceptional sound after full Dirac Live calibration
Good value when discounted
Neutral, detailed reference-like sound signature
Shift from Class D to Class A/B amplification concerns
Dialogue and vocal clarity issues out of the box
Flat or underwhelming sound versus older/other models

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is polarizing depending on calibration effort and speaker setup. Owners who ran full 13-point Dirac Live calibration with a UMIK-1 microphone describe astonishing, neutral, detailed sound with clear dialogue, calling it the best they've heard in their room. In contrast, users relying on the included puck mic and Pioneer app's quick calibration, or the stock MCACC, sometimes found the sound flat, weak, or lacking dynamics and bass compared to older Pioneer receivers, and several noted persistent dialogue clarity problems, particularly in phantom-center setups.

The switch from Class D to Class A/B amplification is a contentious change from Pioneer's Elite heritage. Longtime owners of Class D Pioneer flagships (SC-LX901, SC-LX904, SC65 Elite) express concern and disappointment that the LX805 dropped Class D for Class A/B, worrying it signals reduced engineering input or a departure from Pioneer's signature clean, dynamic, hard-hitting sound. Some speculate this explains why the new unit sounds different, warmer, or less punchy than predecessors, while others accept it as a legitimate design evolution.

Shared platform with Onkyo and Integra raises questions about differentiation and value. Commenters note the LX805's chassis, heat sinks, and internal layout closely resemble the Onkyo TX-RZ70 and Integra DRX-8.4, despite price differences, leading some to wonder if the extra cost buys much beyond branding. Others lament that the shared platform cheapens all three brands. Some conclude a cheaper sibling model or an RZ50 paired with external amps could be a smarter buy.

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