Pioneer VSX-108 Audio/Video Receiver

Pioneer VSX-108 Audio/Video Receiver
Manufacturer: Pioneer
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Your home theater sound experience is about to get a makeover courtesy of this Pioneer A/V receiver. The VSX-108 is well equipped, providing you with musical sensations that rival a concert hall, or the crisp, clean sound continuously fired off by action flicks. Power up this intense box, select the sound channel and get ready to be blown away. The built-in power and processing throws 50 watts per channel in stereo, and 50 watts pumped through four jacks for surround. It's enough to change your mind about joining the theater. Dolby is as clean and clear as sound gets, and the Pro Logic feature is geared specifically toward theatrical surround sound. Choose from theater, concert, hall, even live for watching those special games or pay-per-view concerts. It also includes 30 random preset digital tuners. Hook up your system and enjoy the ride.
Amazon.com Review
The VSX-108 is Pioneer's entry-level multichannel audio receiver. Befitting an entry-level model, you don't get many of the home theater bells and whistles here (no video switching or digital audio inputs). And while the VSX- 108 won't fill your room with DTS digital surround or even Dolby Digital 5.1, it does come with four-channel Dolby Pro Logic processing and four special effects modes.

So what does Pioneer's VSX-108 have going for it? Simple--its price, of course, and its sound, which is remarkably natural in this price range and sure to please the budget-conscious music lover.

Vocals and instruments, for example, come through with remarkably fine detail and natural textures. The high frequencies are airy but not brash, and the bass, though not super powerful, has good definition. In our experience, these qualities are rare in this price range. Furthermore, a preamplifier output for a subwoofer lets you use the receiver in conjunction with a powered subwoofer to get deeper and more powerful bass than most speakers can muster.

Four special-effects modes simulate in four channels the sound of a large open-air stadium (impressive with high- voltage rock), a midsize concert hall (too gimmicky for classical music), a disco (if you're into heavy pumping bass), and a small club, which adds relatively subtle ambiance to acoustic blues and folk CDs.

In addition, the VSX-108 lets you tailor your center-channel speaker to receive more or less bass information. Your exact setting will depend on the size of your center channel. If your system has no center channel, you can create a "phantom" center mode. The "3 stereo" mode feeds center and surround information to the front left/right speakers and is useful if your system is stereo-only.

The VSX-108's tuner works very well, capturing some hard-to-receive stations. The unit's full- function remote, thanks to Pioneer's preprogramming, works with other brands' equipment. We also like the VSX-108's clean layout and intuitive operation.

Pioneer's VSX-108 is quite a good-sounding multichannel audio receiver, making it a fine choice for the music lover and casual movie viewer. But for the serious home theater enthusiast, its lack of video switching, digital inputs, and digital processing disqualify it from consideration. -- Wayne Garcia

Pros:

Impressive sound quality
Subwoofer preamp output
Clean layout

Cons:

Limited functions
No video inputs
No digital audio inputs

Amazon.com Product Description
With 50 watts per channel and surround conveniences such as four-channel Dolby Pro Logic decoding and a dedicated subwoofer output, Pioneer's VSX-108 is an unbelievable home theater value. The receiver would also make a terrific integrated stereo amp even if you have no interest whatsoever in home theater; its subwoofer output is a boon either way.

If you do opt for the home theater route, be aware that the VSX-108 is not compatible with 5.1-channel DVD surround sound (either Dolby Digital or DTS), but at this price it's hard to complain--there are easily enough four-channel Dolby Pro Logic-encoded VHS tapes and television broadcasts out there to keep you going until you're ready for an upgrade.

The VSX-108 offers three audio inputs, two simulated-surround programs, 30 AM/FM presets for its onboard tuner, separate bass and treble controls, a loudness switch (to boost the extreme high and low frequencies when you're listening at low levels), and a preprogrammed audio-video remote control.