Test of the Pioneer LX-01 home theater

Good sound quality, rich functionality, DVD recorder with a hard drive.

Since some of the buttons on the remote control are on the touch screen, it can be difficult to “hit” the right key.

Pioneer LX-01 Home Theater

DESIGN FEATURES

The new home theater system from Pioneer will definitely make you stop and linger if you see it in a store window.

One of the highlights of the VS LX-01 is its speaker system. At first glance, it’s hard to believe that these speakers, which look more like computer “squeakers”, can reproduce any decent sound quality. But let’s not forget that we have in front of us the system produced by Pioneer, a recognized authority in the sphere of sound and video. Thanks to the special shape of the case and arrangement of the speakers VS LX-01, unlike other loudspeakers, spread sound in all directions, thus forming a special sound field, which allows you to hear a symphony orchestra, for example, as if you were in a real concert hall.

If for some reasons you can’t place rear speakers behind the listener, you can install them in the front, near to frontal speakers – VS LX-01 provides such installation variant too.

All switching is done through an impressive-looking subwoofer unit. It also has a special remote unit with a display and IR receiver.

The remote control is very ergonomic and functional. An interesting feature of the remote control is its touch screen display. Due to the multi-page display, the manufacturer was able to relieve the remote from buttons. At the same time there can be some difficulties with “hitting” the right button on the touch screen.

SOUND QUALITY

We were listening to music records in stereo mode. The system gives a well deployed space, its depth and volume are clearly felt. You can almost reproduce the localisation of objects with pinpoint accuracy.

Bass components are reproduced very well – powerfully, “weightily”, with a pleasant “velvety” coloring. Piano voices sound bright and natural, and the characteristic overtones of the instrument are clearly defined. Acoustic guitar sounds very realistic. Sharpest sound nuances can be heard. If you hear a saxophone played by VS LX-01, you’ll probably start wondering if there is a musician nearby. Yes yes, don’t be surprised – it’s really true, the sound is very natural, dense and juicy. Natural dynamics and realistic sound distinguish percussion parts. The sound of the vocals is very warm and comfortable.

We listened to the sound of the movies in 5.1.Dialogue is reproduced quite naturally, with a good, natural timbre, pleasant intonation, even the emotions of the characters are well transmitted. Also note the sharp focus of the characters’ voices. The system creates a very authentic ambience – from the very first seconds you feel totally immersed in the magical world of cinema – reality recedes into the background. Undoubtedly, an important role in creating this atmosphere is played by a clear elaboration of the environment, so that not a single, even the smallest, and seemingly insignificant detail is missing. And it’s little details like these that make up a whole picture.

PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY

Special MCACC automatic calibration system is used to optimize the sound of the loudspeakers. It analyzes the characteristics of the room, and sets the signal level and delay for each channel. A special calibration microphone is used for adjustment. MCACC uses information from playback test signals in its work.

Enabling Active Sound for playback gives you access to a whole range of sound enhancing technologies. Let’s see what kind of technology they are and why they’re so good? Dialogue Enhancement “fights” for clear dialog in movies, making it stand out from other sounds. Dynamic Range Compression creates a more accurate, true-to-life sound. Original Channel Balance & Channel Mix sets the optimum balance for the speakers which, as we noted above, have a somewhat unusual shape and is also responsible for channel mixing, which is done in a special way again, because of the non-standard speakers . Frequency Characteristic Correction – sets playback characteristics specifically optimized for extended listening. Stereo Playback in Surround – outputs stereo signal through a multi-channel system.

When listening to a system in Dolby Pro Logic II Music mode, you can adjust three parameters: Center Width – highlights the center channel and allows you to make it sound wider or more focused.

Dimension adjusts the balance between the front and rear speakers, pushing the sound forward or, conversely, farther away. Panorama – creates a “surround effect” extending the stereo effect from the front speakers.

The Pioneer VS LX-01 system is equipped with a DVD recorder, so you can record your favorite movie or TV program to a DVD or built-in hard disc. You can also record content from the hard drive to a DVD. Record sound in Dolby Digital two-channel format or uncompressed Linear PCM LPCM format. You won’t miss a decisive moment in the match with your favorite team because someone distracted you – the Pioneer VS LX-01 system has a Pause Live TV function that allows you to pause the broadcast of live TV. Note that this feature is only available if you are using a TV connected via SCART and supporting the AV Link interface, or if you are using the internal tuner of the recorder. Chase Play function allows you to start watching the fragment being recorded at the moment, without waiting for the end of the recording. you can also record from an external device connected to the appropriate inputs of the recorder, such a device could be, for example, a camcorder or VCR. Besides, you can record or playback video from the DV camera connected to the DV IN jack on the front panel. To view and edit the data on your hard drive and on your recorded DVD, there’s a handy tool, the Disk Navigator, with which you can create playlists, change chapter names, set chapter thumbnails, etc.d.

Price

: 55,000 Dollars.