Pioneer VSX-2020

The current surround sound quality decoding standard, Dolby Digital means movie theatre sound performance for a home cinema. The listener will be wrapped in surround sound by 5.1-channel audio sound compression technology.

Depending on the speakers, the front left and right, centre, rear left and right speakers can span frequencies from 20 Hz - 20 kHz and there is a dedicated subwoofer channel for additional low frequency sound effects. Extra features mean not only stunning soundtracks but also additional language tracks on one disc.

THX Surround EX/Dolby Digital EX is a joint development of Dolby Laboratories and the THX division of Lucasfilm Ltd. This phenomenal technology was first heard in George Lucas' 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace'. Now applied to home cinema, EX technology creates an extra 'Surround Back' channel, which may have been added when the programme was mixed.

By decoding the surround back channel from the left and right surround channels of 5.1 soundtracks, this additional surround back channel allows more detailed imaging behind the listener and brings more depth and better sound localisation than ever before, to give you the feel of 6.1 channels.

THX Surround EX/Dolby Digital EX is compatible with Dolby Digital 5.1, so that regular Dolby Digital decorder can decode EX signals as a normal 5.1 signal.

Dolby Digital Plus is a digital audio compression scheme developed specifically for Blu-ray Disc.

It is a development of the earlier Dolby Digital system. Compared to Dolby Digital, it supports a greater range of bitrates at higher quality and up to thirteen full range audio channels compared with Dolby Digital's original five.

Dolby Pro Logic II is an improved version of Dolby Pro Logic technology with extended matrix decoding technology that can create 5.1 channel sound from two channel sources. Dolby Pro Logic II creates basic 5 channel sound by using the innovative "steering logic" circuit.

Therefore when listening to typical two-channel sources like CD, the listener can enjoy a richer spatial effect. When using software encoded with Dolby Surround, this decoding system affords the listener an improved surround experience with greater sound detail.

Dolby Pro Logic IIx expands upon the popular Dolby Pro Logic II technology.

With Dolby Pro Logic IIx, these receivers have the ability to process 2- or 5-channel sources into 5.1 or 6.1- or 7.1- channel output according to the model and speaker configuration.

Dolby Pro Logic IIx creates a seamless, natural wraparound sound field that does not require specifically encoded programme content.

You can also enjoy improved surround envelopment, enhanced spatial depth, improved directionality and a larger 'sweet spot'.

Movie and Music modes can be used to match the sound experience even more closely to the source.

Three additional Music parameters are also available: Dolby Center Width (focuses the vocal balance to the centre and front), Dolby Panorama (creates a seamless surround effect) and Dolby Dimension (creates a deeper or shallower surround field).

Dolby Pro Logic IIz baseras på Pro Logic IIx. Teknologin lägger till en höjddimension genom att skapa fronthöjdkanaler ovanför vänster och höger fronthögtalare. Det utökar ett 5.1- eller 7.1-kanalssystem till 7.1 Höjd eller 9.1.

Teknologin identifierar lågnivåinformation som stämnings- och väderljud och dirigerar detta till fronthöjdhögtalarna.

Dolby TrueHD is an advanced lossless multi-channel audio codec from Dolby Laboratories.

DTS-HD Master Audio is also a lossless audio codec created by Digital Theater System (DTS).

Both codecs are intended primarily for high-definition home-entertainment equipment, such as Blu-ray Disc.
Put simply, the result is that you can now enjoy high resolution images accompanied by lush studio-quality HD sound.

DTS 5.1-channel playback decoding technology has rapidly gained popularity thanks to its dynamic sound impact that flies at the listener from left, right and centre surround speakers.

DTS-ES (Extended Surround) includes two variants, DTS-ES Matrix and DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, depending on how the sound was originally mastered and stored.

DTS-ES Discrete provides 6.1 discrete channels, with a discretely recorded centre-surround channel. In home cinema systems with a 7.1 configuration, the two rear-centre speakers play in mono.

DTS-ES Matrix provides 5.1 discrete channels with a matrixed centre-surround audio channel. DTS-ES commonly works on a matrix system, whereby processors that are compatible with the ES codec look for and recognise "flags" built into the audio coding and "un-fold" the rear-centre sound from data that would otherwise be sent to rear surround speakers.

DTS NEO:6 modes apply conventional 2-channel signals to the high-precision digital matrix decorder and achieves 6.1-channel surround playback. High-precision input signal detection and matrix processing enable a full band reproduction for all 6.1 channels.

It also improves the separation between the different channels to almost the same level as that of a digital discrete system.

DTS NEO:6 Cinema Mode
decodes with an emphasis on separation performance to achieve the same atmosphere with 2-channel sources recorded in conventional surround formats as it does with 6.1-channel sources. The original 2-channel signal is distributed into 6 channels thanks to the sophisticated DTS matrix technology. Meanwhile, the effect of the surround signal output from the centre and surround channels adds a natural sense of expansion to the sound field.

DTS NEO:6 Music Mode
the front channel signals bypass the decorder and are played directly, so there is no loss of sound quality.

The the multi-platform DTS 96/24, was first compressed surround format technology to support 96 kHz and 24-bit sound resolution and multi-channel capabilities - the best multi-channel audio format for DVD-Video.

With its super low audio compression rate compatibility, both DTS 96/24 and traditional DTS-encoded audio discs will sound rich and sophisticated, with sound quality almost as high as on 96 kHz, 24-bit master tapes in the studio.

Backwards compatible with existing DTS decorders, the listener is also able to enjoy DTS 96/24 discs with receivers incorporating a standard DTS decorder.

DTS uses a system called DTS Express to deliver Secondary or Sub Audio to your player. The DTS Express audio is mixed with the Primary Audio, giving you an intensely great interactive surround experience.

DTS-HD Master Audio, is an extension to the original DTS audio format. It delivers up to 7.1 channels of sound at 24-bit depth resolution.

DTS-HD High Resolution Audio is selected as an optional surround sound format for Blu-ray Disc with constant bit rates up to respectively 6.0 Mbit/s and 3.0 Mbit/s. It is supposed to be an alternative for DTS-HD Master Audio where disc space may not allow it.

Dolby TrueHD is an advanced lossless multi-channel audio codec from Dolby Laboratories.

DTS-HD Master Audio is also a lossless audio codec created by Digital Theater System (DTS).

Both codecs are intended primarily for high-definition home-entertainment equipment, such as Blu-ray Disc.
Put simply, the result is that you can now enjoy high resolution images accompanied by lush studio-quality HD sound.

The first digital surround sound coding technology for the Web, developed by Microsoft. When connected to a multi-channel-equipped PC, you are able to enjoy high resolution stereo or 5.1-channel surround audio at 128 k - 768 Kbps compression rates. At any given bit rate, 5-channel WMA9 Pro will bring you higher fidelity than other sound compression algorithms thanks to the latest audio codec technology.

Simply put, Neural THX Surround enables stereo sources to be processed in up to 7.1 discreet channels.

Depending on your product, you have the option of a number of surround modes to automatically enhance your system's output.

The "+1" number refers to the headphone surround mode, which is activiated automatically when you plug your headphones into the system.

Our system surround modes include:


• Advanced Music: Dubplicates the acoustics of a large concert hall.
• Advanced Movie: Reproduces a mid-size movie theatre environment.
• Expanded Theater: Adds more depth to Dolby Surround sources, while allowing faithful reproduction of 5-channel speaker sound.
• Virtual surround back: Surround sound becomes even more impressive. You can now experience 6.1 surround sound with a 5.1 speaker set-up. Just switch to Virtual Sourround Back mode, and the left and right rear satellite speakers will create a phantom sound source behind you - it sounds as if there are actually speakers behind you.
• Virtual surround: (available on selected products) Creates a virtual surround effect using just the subwoofer and front speakers.
• Phones Surround: Phones Surround reproduces overall surround sound for headphone listening.
• Advanced game: Enhances video game sound.
• TV Surround: Produces surround sound from mono or stereo TV sources.
• Sports:( Gives the impression of being in the middle of a sports stadium.
• 5-Channel Stereo: (available on selected products) This gives powerful multi-speaker sound to a stereo source with equal power delivered to all the speakers. It is especially suited to music sources with deep bass and a strong rhythmic feel.
• 6-channel stereo: (available on selected products) 6 channel stereo sound reproduction.
• 7-channel stereo: (available on selected products) 7 channel stereo sound reproduction.
• Dialogue Enhancement: (available on selected products) Enhances centre channel reproduction during action sequences so that the dialogue stands out from other background sounds. This mode also positions dialogues and vocals, usually located in the centre channel, between the two front speakers even if the actual centre speaker is above or below the TV. This happens by applying EQ to the centre channel, taking out the middle frequencies with a band pass filter, and distributing them to the speakers on either side. When the front speakers are at the same level as the TV, the enhanced dialogue will appear to be coming from the TV.
• Auto surround: (available on selected products) The Auto surround mode is the simplest way to listen to any source as it was mastered: the output from the speakers mirrors the channels in the source material.

Pioneer Hybrid Amplification (PHA) is a unique structure to reduce the distortion caused by the dynamic change of heat in the system.

Temperature is a key factor since heat directly affects the amount of bias required by an output transistor to reproduce sound.

Our thermal compensation transistor provides transistor temperature feedback to the bias circuit, ensuring that the correct amount of bias is applied to the transistors, regardless of temperature.

Moreover, to enhance dissipation of heat, the output transistors Thermal Compensation Circuit are all mounted to the same portion of the heat sink.

The advantage is thorough reduction of the distortion by controlling bias current quickly in accordance with the change of the power transistor temperature. Secondly, there is an ultra short signal path by integrating major parts of the power amplification stage.

Bi-amping is when you connect the high and low frequency drivers of your speakers to different amplifiers (in this case, to both front and back surround terminals) for better crossover performance.

Your speakers must be bi-ampable to do this and the sound improvement will depend on the kind of speakers you're using.

Anslut tillvalet Bluetooth-adapter AS-BT100 till denna port för att använda enhetens Bluetooth-funktioner.

An Ethernet cable connects end systems to a network, for example, your amplifier to your home network.

A standard Ethernet cable looks like a telephone wire.

Depending on which model you choose, you could listen to Internet radio as well as enjoy your digital photos (JPEG images) and music stored on one or more network servers.

The benefit is an easy integration into your home network., for example

The IR In/Out feautre is useful for the custom installer business. By using IR repeaters, IR control of A/V components and the receiver is made possible when the equipment is hidden in a cabinet or located in a second room. Independent remote codes have also been developed for easy receiver control when utilising the second room function, e.g. independent power, source selection, volume and tuner control.

Plug and play your music easily.

Play back music data stored on your USB memory stick directly via the USB port on the front of the AV Receiver - and experience music with full and dynamic sound quality.

iControlAV är ett program för iPhone och iPod Touch som gör att du kan styra din AV-receiver eller Blu-ray-spelare. Du måste ansluta ditt system och din iPhone eller iPod Touch till samma wifi-nät.

Det finns fyra skärmlägen:

• - Control är läget där du styr de grundläggande funktionerna.
• - Precision används för att förbättra ljudet, och omfattar även demonstrationsfilmer som förklarar fördelarna med dessa unika audiofunktioner.
• - Balance ger dig möjlighet att ändra den optimala lyssningspositionen för ditt hemmabiosystem genom att helt enkelt luta din iPhone eller iPod Touch.
• - Emphasis låter dig justera volymen för mitthögtalare och subwoofer separat genom att luta din iPhone eller iPod Touch.

Vanligtvis använder du receiverns fjärrkontroll för att navigera i din iPod/iPhone. Om du föredrar att bläddra bland dina mediafiler direkt på din iPod/iPhone trycker du helt enkelt på denna knapp.

Automatisk nivåkontroll kompenserar för volymskillnader mellan låtar eller källor så att det du hör alltid spelas upp med en konstant volym.

This feature localises the dialogue in the centre channel to make it stand out from other background sounds in a TV or movie soundtrack.

Noise reduction technology keeps sound pristine as it comes from each source.

Digital filtering analyses signal output from each separate frequency band, then attenuates noise in each band to an optimal level. In this way, only signal band noise that detracts from overall sound is suppressed, without degrading any dynamic characteristics of the original sound.

By simply placing your speakers directly beside your TV screen and activating the unique Front Stage Surround Advance feature, you can experience a virtual surround sound environment.

The benefit here is that you don’t have to worry about routing
speaker cables around your room; your speakers can be placed up front.

Loudness ökar bas och diskant på. Det är användbart för att lyssna på musik på låg volym.

Om andra sover eller studerar, att då försöka njuta vid låg volym bör inte äventyra ljud, surroundeffekter eller dialog.

Midnight Listening Mode är lösningen. Det justerar subwoofern, bak och center högtalarnivåerna samtidigt ökas fördröjningen och ljudet komprimeras för mer nöje av bio-liknande ljud på låg volym.

Phase mismatching can occur at any stage in the audio process, during recording or reproduction.

Various speaker size configurations need the low-pass filter function, which can cause a delay in lower frequencies. Phase Control calibrates this delay and aligns the phase precisely, to match it for all channels and deliver a more accurate, pure sound in your living room.

Phase Control is a feature of our MCACC system.

A precision quartz controller eliminates distortion caused by timing errors (jitter), giving you the best possible digital-to-analogue conversion from audio CD sources when you use the HDMI interface. This is valid as an HDMI function for PQLS-compatible players.

See how PQLS works

Vissa skärmar har en liten fördröjning på videosignalen, så ljudet kommer att vara lite ur synk med bilden. Genom att lägga lite till en fördröjning, kan du justera ljudet för att matcha videosignalen.

Advanced Sound Retriever är en funktion som förbättrar komprimerade musikformat som MP3, WMA och AAC och återställer ljudets dynamik och klang till CD-kvalitet.

Fördelen är att du kan njuta av din digitala musik med bibehållen ljudkvalitet – systemet förbättrar och återställer ljudet automatiskt.

När ljud strömmas via Bluetooth går en del av ljudkvaliteten förlorad under överföringen. Vår teknologi Sound Retriever AIR återställer ljudkvaliteten till ursprungligt skick.

"Standing Waves" are an unwanted phenomenon that occur in most rooms.

These acoustic waves create peaks in the low frequencies, resulting in a booming sound. Our Standing Wave Control neutralises this effect, by causing a flatter frequency response, while respecting the phase differences between each channel.

Since more filters are utilised in the lower bandwidths, up to 3 standing waves can be more precisely identified and reduced.

The result is a far better reproduction of lower frequencies.

Standing Wave Control is a feature of our MCACC system.