Sony STR-DN1080 vs Pioneer VSX-532

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

STR-DN1080 vs VSX-532 comparison chart

Sony STR-DN1080 vs Pioneer VSX-532 review

Sony STR-DN1080
vs
Pioneer VSX-532

The Sony STR-DN1080 versus Pioneer VSX-532 comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Sony STR-DN1080 received 7.3 points out of 10 possible, and Pioneer VSX-532 was rated 4.3 points. Both AV receivers were introduced in 2017. Identified advantages have shown that STR-DN1080 is better over VSX-532 mainly as a home theater processor.

Main advantages Sony STR-DN1080 over Pioneer VSX-532

  • More channels, namely 7, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • Thanks to 2 multi-room zones support, STR-DN1080 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Include HDMI eARC function.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-532 over Sony STR-DN1080

  • We do not know advantages

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

STR-DN1080
7
VSX-532
6

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Sony STR-DN1080 supports 7.2-channels sound, but Pioneer VSX-532 supports a 5.1-channels configuration.

RMS stands for the actual power of the receiver. The higher this value, the louder the sound can be produced. The differences between the models in terms of RMS power are significant - for the VSX-532 this value is 150/6 W/Ohm, and for the STR-DN1080 it is 120/6 W/Ohm.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
Channels7.25.1
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm120/680/8, 150/6
Output impedance, Ohm68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.090.08

Audio features

The score for audio features is 7 of 10 for both receivers.

STR-DN1080
7
VSX-532
7

Most receivers now come with a microphone included. It is with the help of this microphone that the auto-calibration system functions, which adjusts the sound of the receiver to the room.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
Digital to analog converter (DAC)96 KHz/24-bit192 KHz/24-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationDCAC EXMCACC
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresHi-Res audio, DSEE HXAdvanced Sound Retriever

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Sony STR-DN1080 scored 8, and Pioneer VSX-532 scored 6 out of 10.

STR-DN1080
8
VSX-532
6

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible only on the Sony STR-DN1080.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for the receiver's control or even music broadcasting.

Wired internet connection via RJ45 allows receiver faster connection than wireless or even use NAS storages. Wired connection via RJ45 is possible in the STR-DN1080 only.

DLNA is the perfect way to use your local cloud storage to stream movies and music directly to a TV. You can use the DLNA protocol only with Sony STR-DN1080.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
Wi-Fi
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)1
DLNA
MHL

Streaming services

Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesTIDAL, Pandorahas not

Extensive connections

The presence of many connectors makes the receiver more versatile. But there are also narrowly targeted models, the number of connectors which are limited to a certain area of use. And when choosing their own receiver, users need to consider exactly your goals for using the receiver. For extensive connection, Sony STR-DN1080 got 7 points, but Pioneer VSX-532 received 5 points.

STR-DN1080
7
VSX-532
5

Sony STR-DN1080 is equipped with 6/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-532 has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.

HDMI eARC is the next step in the development of audio return channel technology, which works in conjunction with HDMI 2.1. Using eARC provides the highest sound quality for home audio systems. HDMI eARC is available only on Sony STR-DN1080.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
HDMI input/output6/24/1
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
HDMI CEC
Digital content protection (HDCP)HDCP 2.2HDCP 2.2
Subwoofer output (LFE)21
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input11
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output0/00/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micUSB, phones, setup mic
Multi channel preamp output

Video features

The AV receiver is the heart of the home theater. And in this case, support for all current video formats ensures the best user experience, so it is very important to consider this when choosing a device. Video features of the STR-DN1080 were rated 7 out of 10 against the 5 for the VSX-532.

STR-DN1080
7
VSX-532
5

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10
4K signal pass-through4K/60Hz4K/60Hz
8K signal pass-through
HDMI signal pass-through
3D signal pass-through
HDMI pass-through in standby mode
Video conversionanalog to HDMI
Analog to HDMI scaling
HDMI to HDMI scaling
Dolby Vision
Other video featureshas notDeepColor, x.v.Color

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the STR-DN1080 got 9 points, but the VSX-532 has 5.

STR-DN1080
9
VSX-532
5

Voice control allows you to control the basic functions of the receiver through a smartphone, smart speaker or using the microphone that comes with the kit. The STR-DN1080 can be controlled by voice via Google assistant. Pioneer VSX-532 has the ECO mode.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
Voice controlGoogle assistant
App controliPhone, iPad, iPod, Android
Displayfluorescentfluorescent
TunerAM, FMAM, FM
Sleep timer
Auto power off
ECO mode
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Setup assistant
Firmware updatenetwork, USB
Other additional featuresNFChas not

Multi-room

As the center of a home media system, each multichannel receiver has an additional set of terminals for connecting the second set of speakers to create additional audio space in Zone 2 or even Zone 3 where audio can have the separate source.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
Multi-room zones2has not
Zone audio outputspeakerhas not
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlMusic Centerhas not
RS-23200
Remote control input/output (IR)1/10/0
DC trigger output (12V)00

Multichannel surround

Sony STR-DN1080 got 7 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-532 got 5.

STR-DN1080
7
VSX-532
5

Dolby Atmos' particularity is that this is the object-oriented sound format, that is, each audio signal object is independently sounded and connected to its spatial position. Sony STR-DN1080 can create 3D sound due to the Dolby Atmos support.

DTS:X is an algorithm used by the processor to create sound scenes, where sounds connected directly to objects rather than channels, and to determine the optimum sound output distribution in space. Surround sound with DTS:X is available only on the STR-DN1080.

STR-DN1080 VSX-532
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS-ES, DTS 96/24DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:X
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
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