The Marantz SR5012 versus Pioneer VSX-532 comparison makes clear all pros and cons of AV receivers. According to the results of our review, Marantz SR5012 received 8.4 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 SR5012 is better over VSX-532 mainly as a home theater processor.
For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 7 and 6, respectively, on a 10-point scale.
The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Marantz SR5012 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 SR5012 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-532 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
Channels | 7.2 | 5.1 |
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm | 100/8 | 80/8, 150/6 |
Output impedance, Ohm | 8 | 8, 6 |
Frequency response | 10Hz-100KHz | 10Hz-100KHz |
THD in stereo, % | 0.08 | 0.08 |
After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the SR5012 9 out of 10, and the 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.
Speaker A/B switching allows you to change between the main and sub speaker set. Marantz SR5012 can work with the main and additional set of speakers - and switch between them.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
Digital to analog converter (DAC) | 192 KHz/24-bit | 192 KHz/24-bit |
Bi-amping | ✔ | ✔ |
Pure direct (straight) | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto speaker calibration | Audyssey MultEQ XT | MCACC |
Speaker A/B switching | ✔ | ✖ |
Other audio features | Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Compressed Audio Enhancer(MDAX2), Hi-Res audio | Advanced Sound Retriever |
The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Marantz SR5012 scored 8, and Pioneer VSX-532 scored 6 out of 10.
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 SR5012 only.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 2.4/5GHz | ✖ |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | ✖ |
DLNA | ✖ | ✖ |
MHL | ✖ | ✖ |
Now music streaming services are gaining more and more popularity. They allow users to listen to millions of songs by subscription.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | AirPlay, AirPlay 2 | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✖ |
Other streaming services | Deezer, TIDAL, Pandora, Napster, SiriusXM, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio, Sound Cloud | has not |
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, Marantz SR5012 got 8 points, but Pioneer VSX-532 received 5 points.
Marantz SR5012 is equipped with 8/2 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Pioneer VSX-532 has 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
HDMI input/output | 8/2 | 4/1 |
HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Digital content protection (HDCP) | HDCP 2.2 | HDCP 2.2 |
Subwoofer output (LFE) | 2 | 1 |
Headphone output | 1 x 6.3 | 1 x 6.3 |
Optical digital input | 2 | 1 |
Coaxial digital input | 2 | 1 |
Composite input | 2 | 2 |
Component input/output | 2/1 | 0/0 |
Phono (MM) input | ✖ | ✖ |
Front panel connectors | USB, HDMI, phones | USB, phones, setup mic |
Multi channel preamp output | ✔ | ✖ |
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 SR5012 were rated 9 out of 10 against the 5 for the VSX-532.
Most of the AV receivers have a video scaling function, it is the process of reformatting the video signal to a higher resolution without losing the quality of the image. Upscaling the video signal resolution is possible only with Marantz SR5012.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
HDR (High Dynamic Range) | ✔ | HDR10 |
4K signal pass-through | 4K/60Hz | 4K/60Hz |
8K signal pass-through | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
3D signal pass-through | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI pass-through in standby mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Video conversion | analog to HDMI | ✖ |
Analog to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
HDMI to HDMI scaling | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby Vision | ✔ | ✖ |
Other video features | HLG, BT.2020 | DeepColor, x.v.Color |
In terms of evaluating additional features, the SR5012 got 10 points, but the VSX-532 has 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 SR5012 can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Josh.AI | ✖ |
App control | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android | ✖ |
Display | colour OSD | fluorescent |
Tuner | AM, FM | AM, FM |
Sleep timer | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto power off | ✔ | ✔ |
ECO mode | ✔ | ✔ |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | ✔ | ✖ |
Setup assistant | ✔ | ✖ |
Firmware update | network, USB | ✖ |
Other additional features | IP Control | has not |
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.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
Multi-room zones | 2 | has not |
Zone audio output | speaker, preout | has not |
Zone HDMI output | ✖ | has not |
Multi-room control | Marantz AVR Remote App | has not |
RS-232 | 1 | 0 |
Remote control input/output (IR) | 1/0 | 0/0 |
DC trigger output (12V) | 1 | 0 |
Marantz SR5012 got 8 points for the multichannel surround sound and Pioneer VSX-532 got 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. Marantz SR5012 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 SR5012.
SR5012 | VSX-532 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby TrueHD | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby Surround | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Digital Plus |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS HD Master | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS Virtual:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS Neural:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS, DTS-Surround | DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:X |
Auro-3D | ✖ | ✖ |
IMAX Enhanced | ✖ | ✖ |
Multichannel stereo | ✔ | ✖ |