Pioneer VSX-532 vs Onkyo TX-NR797

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

VSX-532 vs TX-NR797 comparison chart

Pioneer VSX-532 vs Onkyo TX-NR797 review

Pioneer VSX-532
vs
Onkyo TX-NR797

Being able to compare Pioneer VSX-532 and Onkyo TX-NR797 gave us an insight into what of them would be better for home theater configuration. According to the results of our review, Pioneer VSX-532 received 4.3 points out of 10 possible, and Onkyo TX-NR797 was rated 8.5 points. The release date of VSX-532 is 2017, and TX-NR797 is 2019. TX-NR797 is more performable in terms of audio broadcast than the VSX-532.

Main advantages Pioneer VSX-532 over Onkyo TX-NR797

  • We do not know advantages

Main advantages Onkyo TX-NR797 over Pioneer VSX-532

  • More channels, namely 9, makes this receiver more profitable than its 5-channel competitor.
  • 100/8 W/Ohm RMS makes it more productive compared to 80/8 W/Ohm RMS in another receiver in the review.
  • Thanks to 3 multi-room zones support, TX-NR797 bypasses its competitor without multizone support.
  • There is WI-Fi support.
  • The Spotify support is an exclusive advantage.
  • There is support for Apple AirPlay.
  • Surround sound ensures the availability of Dolby Atmos.
  • Object-oriented sound ensures the availability of DTS:X.

Amplifiers

For the built-in amplifier, the devices received different marks - 6 and 9, respectively, on a 10-point scale.

VSX-532
6
TX-NR797
9

The number of channels is equal to the number of possible connected speakers. The Pioneer VSX-532 supports 5.1-channels sound, but Onkyo TX-NR797 supports a 9.2-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 TX-NR797 this value is 100/8 W/Ohm, and for the VSX-532 it is 80/8 W/Ohm.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
Channels5.19.2
Stereo power (RMS), W/Ohm80/8, 150/6100/8, 220/6
Output impedance, Ohm8, 68, 6
Frequency response10Hz-100KHz10Hz-100KHz
THD in stereo, %0.080.08

Audio features

After reviewing the audio features of each model, we can rate the VSX-532 7 out of 10, and the TX-NR797 - 9.

VSX-532
7
TX-NR797
9

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.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
Digital to analog converter (DAC)192 KHz/24-bitAK4458 384 KHz/32-bit
Bi-amping
Pure direct (straight)
Auto speaker calibrationMCACCAccuEQ
Speaker A/B switching
Other audio featuresAdvanced Sound RetrieverAdvanced Music Optimizer, Theater-Dimensional, Hi-Res audio, Dynamic Audio Amplification

Connectivity

The connectivity of competitors in our comparison is markedly different, Pioneer VSX-532 scored 6, and Onkyo TX-NR797 scored 8 out of 10.

VSX-532
6
TX-NR797
8

Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Onkyo TX-NR797.

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 TX-NR797 only.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
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.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay, AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notDeezer, TIDAL, Pandora, TuneIn Radio

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, Pioneer VSX-532 got 5 points, but Onkyo TX-NR797 received 8 points.

VSX-532
5
TX-NR797
8

Pioneer VSX-532 is equipped with 4/1 HDMI inputs and outputs, and Onkyo TX-NR797 has 7/2 HDMI inputs and outputs.

Connecting a vinyl player or phonograph is possible using a Phono input which is represented by mini-jack or RCA connectors. Only the TX-NR797 has a Phono interface.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
HDMI input/output4/17/2
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)12
Headphone output1 x 6.31 x 6.3
Optical digital input11
Coaxial digital input11
Composite input22
Component input/output0/01/0
Phono (MM) input
Front panel connectorsUSB, phones, setup micHDMI, phones, setup mic, AUX
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 VSX-532 were rated 5 out of 10 against the 8 for the TX-NR797.

VSX-532
5
TX-NR797
8

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 with Onkyo TX-NR797.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR10HDR10
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 featuresDeepColor, x.v.ColorDeepColor, x.v.Color, HLG, BT.2020

Additional features

In terms of evaluating additional features, the VSX-532 got 5 points, but the TX-NR797 has 9.

VSX-532
5
TX-NR797
9

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 TX-NR797 can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant. Only the Pioneer VSX-532 has the ECO mode.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
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 featureshas notIP Control

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.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
Multi-room zoneshas not3
Zone audio outputhas notspeaker, preout
Zone HDMI outputhas not
Multi-room controlhas notFlareConnect
RS-23201
Remote control input/output (IR)0/01/0
DC trigger output (12V)01

Multichannel surround

Pioneer VSX-532 got 5 points for the multichannel surround sound and Onkyo TX-NR797 got 8.

VSX-532
5
TX-NR797
8

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. Onkyo TX-NR797 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 on the TX-NR797.

IMAX Enhanced is a licensing and certification program under which home theater devices deliver crisp 4K HDR pictures and powerful sound as it was designed by the IMAX engineers. The TX-NR797 licensed by IMAX.

VSX-532 TX-NR797
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Surround
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital PlusDolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
DTS:X
DTS HD Master
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS (other)DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:XDTS-ES, DTS 96/24, DTS-HD, DTS-EXPRESS
Auro-3D
IMAX Enhanced
Multichannel stereo
Add another receiver to comparison
We didn't find anything to show here