Pioneer VSX 820-K Reviews & Tests

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Pioneer VSX 820-K

alaTest has collected and analyzed 142 user reviews of Pioneer VSX 820-K from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the design. The price also gets good feedback, whereas the size and reliability get less positive reviews.

usability, price, design

reliability, size

74% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : Tom Andry (audioholics.com)

Pioneer VSX-820-K Receiver First Look

already impressed us with it's feature list including HDMI 1.4, 3D ready, Dolby ProLogic IIz, and high definition audio decoding. The VSX-820-K is the next in line from the electronics giant and comes in at just under $300. The question we had was what...

The VSX-520-K was already a great little receiver but to meet its price point some corners had to be cut. The VSX-820-K rounds out many of those corners. While video upconversion is still not possible at this price point, for $299 you get all the great...

Mar, 2010

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Tom Andry (audioholics.com)

Pioneer VSX-820-K Receiver Preview

The VSX-820-K is the next in line from the electronics giant and comes in at just under $300 with an extra HDMI input, and on-screen display, MCACC auto system setup, and iPhone certification.

Mar, 2010

Partner Source

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Very disappointed in Pioneer receivers in general.

This unit has lots of connections and will probably be adequate for most home theatre systems.

Reliability with Pioneer receivers (in my experience) is awful. I will never buy one again. This one died on me after about 15 months. And I do mean died. Nothing, NADA, wouldn't even turn on. If you are shopping in this price range, I would suggest...

Dec, 2015

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Awesome Value! A MUST-Buy

A lot of people on here are knocking this AVR for not doing Upconversion or for not having one or two features most people in the world don't use, like Rear Channel Stereo.... Honestly, though... You won't find a receiver with 1080p HDMI Up-conversion...

Great Sound, especially after running the Auto EQ with the Mic ; Top notch build quality ; 3D ready, 4 HDMI inputs, and HD Sound Decoding ; CHEAP

The only thing I can think of is the OSD setup is a little cheap. Granted, AVR standards aren't that great, either ; But having to move up to the $500 price tier for a good OSD is a little silly... Even at that point... most of the OSDs from ANY...

Nov, 2010

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Awesome Value! A MUST-Buy

A lot of people on here are knocking this AVR for not doing Upconversion or for not having one or two features most people in the world don't use, like Rear Channel Stereo.... Honestly, though... You won't find a receiver with 1080p HDMI Up-conversion...

-Great Sound, especially after running the Auto EQ with the Mic -Top notch build quality -3D ready, 4 HDMI inputs, and HD Sound Decoding -CHEAP!

The only thing I can think of is the OSD setup is a little cheap. Granted, AVR standards aren't that great, either... But having to move up to the $500 price tier for a good OSD is a little silly... Even at that point... most of the OSDs from ANY...

Nov, 2010

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

excellent value

I recently returned the Samsung HW-C700 which had extreme issues. This has far exceeded my expectations and is 10 fold more reliable than the Samsung. I would trust Pioneer as a superior product

Excellent construction, incredible sound quality, and decent power. I like how it displays what decoder is engaged when you turn on a movie. Has every decoder I could see using. Even sounds amazing during sports games. Able to program remote to turn on...

It wish the OSD would work with HDMI but I understand that that is reserved for pricier receivers. Like mentioned in previous reviews the remote is lacking in back lighting... however even the more expensive Yamahas dont have back lit remotes.

Oct, 2010

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

excellent value

I recently returned the Samsung HW-C700 which had extreme issues. This has far exceeded my expectations and is 10 fold more reliable than the Samsung. I would trust Pioneer as a superior product

Excellent construction, incredible sound quality, and decent power. I like how it displays what decoder is engaged when you turn on a movie. Has every decoder I could see using. Even sounds amazing during sports games. Able to program remote to turn on...

It wish the OSD would work with HDMI but I understand that that is reserved for pricier receivers. Like mentioned in previous reviews the remote is lacking in back lighting... however even the more expensive Yamahas dont have back lit remotes

Oct, 2010

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Unimpressed

I wish I had spent a little more for something better - I've considered returning it but don't think I've got the energy. It does work, and my main reason for upgrading was to get more optical/HDMI ports so mission accomplished. I just had higher hopes.

Good sound/power ; Good construction ; Great price

I was expecting a lot more out of the OSD - maybe this was my fault. It doesn't come through on HDMI, and even on component video it's pretty lousy (big white on black menu) Silly me for expecting a nice HDMI overlay, I guess. Feature is of no value to...

Oct, 2010

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Consumer review (newegg.com)

Unimpressed

I wish I had spent a little more for something better - I've considered returning it but don't think I've got the energy. It does work, and my main reason for upgrading was to get more optical/HDMI ports so mission accomplished. I just had higher hopes.

Good sound/power Good construction Great price

I was expecting a lot more out of the OSD - maybe this was my fault. It doesn't come through on HDMI, and even on component video it's pretty lousy (big white on black menu) Silly me for expecting a nice HDMI overlay, I guess. Feature is of no value to...

Oct, 2010

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Consumer review (newegg.com)