Page 2 - IMPORTANT; WARNING; CAUTION; Voltage selector; Medium-size screwdriver
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to a...
Page 3 - Nederlands; Español; Contents
English Italiano Français Nederlands Español Deutsch Contents 01 Before you start Introduction to home theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Checking what’s in the box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Loading the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Installing the receiver . . . . . . ...
Page 5 - English; Before you start; Introduction to home theater; Listening to your system; Checking what’s in the box; Illustration shows the VSX-515 model
Before you start 01 5 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 1: Before you start Introduction to home theater You are probably used to using stereo equipment to listen to music, but may not be used to home theater systems that give you many more options (such as surround sou...
Page 6 - Caution; Installing the; Receiver
Before you start 01 6 En Illustration shows the VSX-815/915 model Caution Incorrect use of batteries may result in such hazards as leakage and bursting. Observe the following precautions: • Never use new and old batteries together. • Insert the plus and minus sides of the batteries properly accordin...
Page 7 - minute guide; Listening to Surround Sound; Hook up your DVD player.; The Input Assign; DVD
5 minute guide 02 7 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 2: 5 minute guide Listening to Surround Sound This receiver was designed with the easiest possible setup in mind, so with the following quick setup guide, you should have your system hooked up for surround sound in n...
Page 8 - Connect your speakers.; Switching the; Note; LARGE; LS
5 minute guide 02 8 En 3 Connect your speakers. A complete setup of eight speakers (including the subwoofer) is shown here but everyone’s home setup will vary. Simply connect the speakers you have in the manner shown below. 1 The receiver will work with just two stereo speakers (the front speakers i...
Page 9 - Hints on speaker placement; Plug in the receiver and switch it on,; MULTI JOG; Using the Quick; Play a DVD, and adjust the volume to your; STANDARD
5 minute guide 02 9 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Make sure that the speaker cable you’re using is properly prepared with about 10 mm of insulator stripped from each wire, with the exposed wire strands twisted together ( fig. A ). Unscrew the terminal a few turns until ther...
Page 10 - Automatically setting up for
5 minute guide 02 10 En Using the Quick Setup You can use the Quick Setup to get your system up and running with just a few button presses. The receiver automatically makes the necessary settings after you have selected your speaker setup, room size and listening position. Use the front panel contro...
Page 11 - Quick surround sound setup; Important; Connect the microphone to the MCACC; SETUP MIC; jack on the front panel.; Illustration shows the VSX-915 model
Quick surround sound setup 03 11 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 3: Quick surround sound setup Automatically setting up for surround sound (MCACC) The Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration (MCACC) setup measures the acoustic characteristics of your listening area, t...
Page 13 - CHK SP; When you’re finished, select
Quick surround sound setup 03 13 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • CHK SP – Check the size and number of speakers you’ve connected (see page 51 for more on this) • CHK DIST. – Check the distance of your speakers from the listening position (see page 53 for more on this) • CHK...
Page 14 - Connecting up; Making cable connections; • Before making or changing any; Analog audio cables; Video cables; Standard RCA video cables; Analog audio cables; Coaxial digital audio cable
Connecting up 04 14 En Chapter 4: Connecting up Making cable connections Make sure not to bend the cables over the top of this unit (as shown in the illustration). If this happens, the magnetic field produced by the transformers in this unit may cause a humming noise from the speakers. Important • B...
Page 15 - and; Component video cables
Connecting up 04 15 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español S-video cables VSX-815/915 model only S-video cables give you clearer picture reproduction than standard RCA video cables by sending separate signals for the luminance and color. Component video cables VSX-815/915 model only...
Page 16 - Connecting the; DIGITAL OPT 1
Connecting up 04 16 En Connecting a DVD player and TV This page shows you how to connect your DVD player and TV to the receiver. 1 Connect a coaxial digital audio output on your DVD player to the DIGITAL COAX 1 (DVD/LD) input on this receiver. Use a coaxial digital audio cable for the connection. 1 ...
Page 17 - this receiver as shown below.; Connect a set of audio/video outputs on; the video connection.; Connect an optical digital audio output; Use an optical cable for the connection.; STB
Connecting up 04 17 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Connecting the multichannel analog outputs For DVD Audio and SACD playback, your DVD player may have 5.1 channel analog outputs.In this case, you can connect the multichannel analog outputs to the multichannel inputs of this...
Page 18 - If your component has a digital output,; CD; If necessary, connect the analog audio; About the WMA9 Pro decoder
Connecting up 04 18 En Connecting other audio components The number and kind of connections depends on the kind of component you’re connecting. 1 Follow the steps below to connect a CD-R, MD, DAT, tape recorder or other audio component. 1 If your component has a digital output, connect this to a dig...
Page 19 - Microsoft, Windows Media; Connect a set of audio/video inputs on; If your video component has a digital; The example shows a recorder connected to
Connecting up 04 19 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español compatible player. However, the connected PC, DVD player, set-top box, etc. must be able to output WMA9 Pro format audio signals through a coaxial or optical digital output. Microsoft, Windows Media ® , and the Windows logo ...
Page 20 - Using the component video jacks; Connect the component video outputs of; Assigning the component video inputs; Connect the COMPONENT VIDEO
Connecting up 04 20 En Using the component video jacks VSX-815/915 model only Component video should deliver superior picture quality when compared to composite video. A further advantage (if your source and TV are both compatible) is progressive-scan video, which delivers a very stable, flicker-fre...
Page 21 - Connecting antennas; FM wire antenna; Antenna snap connectors; Using external antennas; To improve FM reception; coaxial
Connecting up 04 21 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Connecting antennas Connect the AM loop antenna and the FM wire antenna as shown below. To improve reception and sound quality, connect external antennas (see Using external antennas below). Always make sure that the receive...
Page 23 - A and B speaker systems; Press the SPEAKERS button on the front
Connecting up 04 23 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Make sure that the speaker cable you’re using is properly prepared with about 10mm of insulator stripped from each wire, with the exposed wire strands twisted together ( fig. A ). Unscrew the terminal a few turns until there...
Page 24 - Overhead view of speaker setup
Connecting up 04 24 En • To achieve the best possible surround sound, install your speakers as shown below. Be sure all speakers are installed securely to prevent accidents and improve sound quality. Caution • If you choose to install the center speaker on top of the TV, be sure to secure it with pu...
Page 25 - Many Pioneer components have SR; Note that if you use this feature,; CONTROL IN; CONTROL; terminals; CONTROL
Connecting up 04 25 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Operating other Pioneer components VSX-815/915 model only Many Pioneer components have SR CONTROL jacks which can be used to link components together so that you can use just the remote sensor of one component. When you use ...
Page 26 - Controls and displays; Front panel; Illustration below shows the VSX-815/915 model; Input select buttons; Display; MCACC indicator; ALL CH ADJUST; dial; jack
Controls and displays 05 26 En Chapter 5: Controls and displays Front panel Illustration below shows the VSX-815/915 model 1 Input select buttons Press to select an input source. 2 Character display See Display on page 28. 3 MCACC indicator Lights when Acoustic Calibration EQ (page 39) is on (Acoust...
Page 27 - Auto
Controls and displays 05 27 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 8 LISTENING MODE buttons STANDARD Press for Standard decoding and to switch between the various Pro Logic IIx and Neo:6 options (page 36). ADVANCED SURROUND Use to switch between the various surround modes (page 37)....
Page 28 - indicators; SLEEP
Controls and displays 05 28 En Display 1 SIGNAL SELECT indicators Lights to indicate the type of input signal: AUTO Lights when AUTO signal select is on. SB Depending on the source, this lights when a signal with surround back channel encoding is detected. DIGITAL Lights when a digital audio signal ...
Page 29 - Checking your
Controls and displays 05 29 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Lights when a broadcast is being received. 11 Speaker indicators Lights to indicate the current speaker system, A and/or B (VSX-815 – page 23, VSX-915– page 71). 12 Character display 13 Neo:6 When the ( STANDARD ) Ne...
Page 30 - MULTI CONTROL buttons; Number buttons and other receiver/
Controls and displays 05 30 En 3 MULTI CONTROL buttons Press to select control of other components (see Controlling the rest of your system on page 64). 4 Number buttons and other receiver/ component controls Use the number buttons to directly select a radio frequency (page 54) or the tracks on a CD...
Page 31 - Component control buttons; example; RECEIVER CONTROL buttons
Controls and displays 05 31 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 8 Component control buttons The main buttons ( , , etc.) are used to control a component after you have selected it using the MULTI CONTROL buttons. The controls above these buttons can be accessed after you have sel...
Page 33 - INPUT SELECT; Use to select the input source.
Controls and displays 05 33 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Remote control (VSX-515) 1 INPUT SELECT Use to select the input source. 2 RECEIVER This switches between standby and on for this receiver. 3 MULTI CONTROL buttons Press to select control of other components (see Cont...
Page 34 - and Component control
Controls and displays 05 34 En MUTE Mutes the sound or restores the sound if it has been muted (adjusting the volume also restores the sound). DIALOG E Use to make dialog stand out when watching TV or a movie (page 43). ACOUSTIC EQ Press to select an Acoustic Calibration EQ setting (page 39). FL DIM...
Page 35 - Number buttons and other component
Controls and displays 05 35 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español DISPLAY Switches between named station presets and radio frequencies (page 56). CLASS Switches between the three banks (classes) of radio station presets (page 55). MPX Switches between stereo and mono reception of F...
Page 36 - • Certain features explained in this section; Auto playback; Press repeatedly until; Using the surround back channel; While listening to a source, press; • If the source is Dolby Digital, DTS, or Dolby; Pro Logic IIx MOVIE
Listening to your system 06 36 En Chapter 6: Listening to your system Important • Certain features explained in this section will not be possible depending on the source (for example, PCM 88.2 / 96kHz, DTS 96kHz (24 bit) or WMA 9 Pro sources). Auto playback There are many ways to listen back to sour...
Page 37 - selected; Using the Advanced surround effects; Press
Listening to your system 06 37 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • 2 Pro Logic IIx MUSIC – Up to 7.1 channel sound, especially suited to music sources • 2 Pro Logic IIx GAME – Up to 7.1 channel sound, especially suited for video games • 2 PRO LOGIC – 4.1 channel surround sound ...
Page 38 - Tip; Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music settings; Pro Logic IIx; Pro Logic II
Listening to your system 06 38 En • EXPANDED – This mode is especially designed to give sound depth to stereo sources, and lets you hear two-channel (stereo) signals as simulated multichannel surround sound. Use with Dolby Pro Logic for a stereo surround effect. You can also use with Dolby Digital s...
Page 39 - Listening in stereo
Listening to your system 06 39 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 With Neo:6 MUSIC mode active, press EFFECT/CH SEL repeatedly to select C. IMAGE. 2 Use the +/– buttons to adjust the setting. Adjust the effect from 0 (all center channel sent to front right and left speakers) t...
Page 40 - ANALOG; DIGITAL
Listening to your system 06 40 En Choosing the input signal You need to hook up a component to both analog and digital inputs on the rear of the receiver to select between input signals. 1 1 Press SIGNAL SELECT on the front panel to select the input signal corresponding to the source component. Pres...
Page 41 - Illustration shows the VSX-815/915 front panel; Press repeatedly to select between:; Stereo sources; II x; Pro Logic
Listening to your system 06 41 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Using the surround back channel (Extended mode) • Default setting: EXT. ON You can have the receiver automatically use 6.1 or 7.1 decoding for 6.1 encoded sources (for example, Dolby Digital EX or DTS-ES), or you ...
Page 42 - II
Listening to your system 06 42 En Using the Virtual Surround Back mode (VirtualSB) Selecting this mode allows you to hear a virtual back channel through your surround speakers. For example, you can choose to listen to sources with no surround back channel information (for example, 5.1 encoded materi...
Page 43 - Enhancing dialog; OFF; Using the tone controls; Illustrations show the VSX-815/915 front panel; BASS
Listening to your system 06 43 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Using Loudness and Midnight listening The Loudness listening feature can be used to get good bass and treble from music sources at low volume levels. The Midnight listening feature allows you to hear effective sur...
Page 45 - Using the sleep timer; repeatedly to set the sleep; • You can check the remaining sleep time at; repeatedly will cycle through the sleep; Off
Listening to your system 06 45 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Using the sleep timer The sleep timer switches the receiver into standby after a specified amount of time so you can fall asleep without worrying about the receiver being left on all night. Use the remote control ...
Page 46 - The System Setup menu
The System Setup menu 07 46 En Chapter 7: The System Setup menu Making receiver settings from the System Setup menu The following section shows you how to make detailed settings to specify how you’re using the receiver (for example, if you want to set up two speaker systems in separate rooms), and a...
Page 47 - Manual MCACC speaker setup
The System Setup menu 07 47 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 Select ‘ SB. SYSTEM’ from the System Setup menu. See Making receiver settings from the System Setup menu above. 2 Select the surround back speaker setting. • SB NORM. – Select for normal home theater use with surro...
Page 48 - Fine Channel Level; Quick surround sound; CH LEVEL’; Fine Channel Distance
The System Setup menu 07 48 En Fine Channel Level • Default setting: 0dB (all channels) You can achieve better surround sound by properly adjusting the overall balance of your speaker system. The following setting can help you make detailed adjustments that you may not achieve using the Quick surrou...
Page 49 - Acoustic Calibration EQ
The System Setup menu 07 49 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español • If you want to go back and adjust a channel, simply use / (cursor left/ right) to select it. 4 When you're finished, press RETURN. You will return to the Manual MCACC setup menu. Acoustic Calibration EQ Acoustic Ca...
Page 51 - Manual speaker setup; SMALL
The System Setup menu 07 51 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Manual speaker setup This receiver allows you to make detailed settings to optimize the surround sound performance. You only need to make these settings once (unless you change the placement of your current speaker s...
Page 52 - Crossover network; SB 2ND Z
The System Setup menu 07 52 En effectively. Select SMALL to send bass frequencies to the other speakers or subwoofer. If you didn’t connect surround back speakers choose NO . 1 • Subwoofer ( SW ) – LFE signals and bass frequencies of channels set to SMALL are output from the subwoofer when YES is se...
Page 53 - Confirm your selected setup option.; Adjust the level of each channel using the; Speaker Distance; Select ‘SP DISTN.’ from the SP SETUP; SBR
The System Setup menu 07 53 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 3 Confirm your selected setup option. The test tones will start after you press ENTER . 4 Adjust the level of each channel using the / (cursor up/down) buttons. If you selected T. TONE M. , use / (cursor left/right) ...
Page 54 - Using the tuner; Listening to the radio; Tuning directly to a; Improving FM stereo sound
Using the tuner 08 54 En Chapter 8: Using the tuner Listening to the radio The following steps show you how to tune in to FM and AM radio broadcasts using the automatic (search) and manual (step) tuning functions. If you already know the frequency of the station you want, see Tuning directly to a st...
Page 55 - Saving station presets
Using the tuner 08 55 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 Press the TUNER button to select the tuner. 2 Use the BAND button to change the band (FM or AM), if necessary. Each press switches the band between FM and AM. 3 Press D.ACCESS (Direct Access). 4 Use the number buttons to...
Page 56 - Naming station presets; Listening to station presets; Changing the frequency step
Using the tuner 08 56 En Naming station presets For easier identification, you can name your station presets. 1 Choose the station preset you want to name. See Listening to station presets below for how to do this. 2 Press T.EDIT (TUNER EDIT). The display shows ST. NAME , then a blinking cursor at t...
Page 57 - Making recordings; Select the source you want to record.; Use the; SIGNAL SELECT; to select the input; Prepare the source you want to record.
Making recordings 09 57 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 9: Making recordings Making an audio or a video recording You can make an audio or a video recording from the built-in tuner, or from an audio or video source connected to the receiver (such as a CD player or TV)...
Page 58 - Selecting preset codes directly; TV CONT
Controlling the rest of your system 10 58 En Chapter 10: Controlling the rest of your system VSX-515 model only Setting the remote to control other components Most components can be assigned to one of the MULTI CONTROL buttons using the component’s manufacturer preset code stored in the remote. Howe...
Page 59 - Direct function; control without affecting the receiver.; Repeat steps 2 through 3 for the other
Controlling the rest of your system 10 59 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Direct function • Default setting: ON You can use the direct function feature to control one component using the remote control while at the same time, using your receiver to playback a different compon...
Page 60 - Setting the remote to control other components; Function
Controlling the rest of your system 10 60 En Controls for TVs This remote control can control components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see Setting the remote to control other components on page 58 for more on this). Use the MULTI CONTROL buttons to select the...
Page 61 - Controls for other components
Controlling the rest of your system 10 61 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Controls for other components This remote control can control these components after entering the proper codes or teaching the receiver the commands (see Setting the remote to control other components o...
Page 63 - Preset Code List
Controlling the rest of your system 10 63 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Preset Code List You should have no problem controlling a component if you find the manufacturer in this list, but please note that there are cases where codes for the manufacturer in the list will not ...
Page 64 - SETUP
Controlling the rest of your system 11 64 En Chapter 11: Controlling the rest of your system VSX-815/915 model only Setting the remote to control other components Most components can be assigned to one of the MULTI CONTROL buttons using the component’s manufacturer preset code stored in the remote. ...
Page 65 - Programming signals
Controlling the rest of your system 11 65 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 5 Use / (cursor up/down) to select the manufacturer’s name from the list then press ENTER. 6 Use / (cursor up/down) to select the proper code from the list, then try using this remote control with your ...
Page 67 - Confirming preset codes; The remote LCD display shows
Controlling the rest of your system 11 67 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español When direct function is on, any component you select (using the MULTI CONTROL buttons) will be selected by both the receiver and the remote control. When you turn direct function off, you can operate th...
Page 70 - HDD
Controlling the rest of your system 11 70 En REC STOP ( SHIFT+ ) Stops recording. DVR player Number buttons Directly access tracks on a program source. CD/MD/CD-R/VCR/LD player Use the number buttons to navigate the on-screen display. DVD/DVR player +10 button Selects tracks higher than 10. (For exa...
Page 71 - Other connections; Second Zone speaker B setup; Connect a pair of speakers to the; Switching the speaker system; Use the SPEAKERS button on the front; SP
Other connections 12 71 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 12: Other connections Caution • Before making or changing the connections , switch off the power and disconnect the power cord from the power outlet. Plugging in components should be the last connection you make ...
Page 72 - Connect your speakers as shown below.; Bi-wiring your speakers; To bi-wire a speaker, connect two speaker
Other connections 12 72 En • SP AB – Sound is output from speaker system A (up to 5 channels, depending on the source), the two speakers in speaker system B, and the subwoofer. Multichannel sources (heard through speaker system A) are downmixed for stereo output from speaker system B. Bi-amping your...
Page 73 - • Before making or changing the; Pioneer plasma
Other connections 12 73 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Connecting additional amplifiers VSX-815/915 model only This receiver has more than enough power for any home use, but it’s possible to add additional amplifiers to every channel of your system using the pre-outs. Make t...
Page 74 - The Input Assign menu; DVD player
Other connections 12 74 En • Use a 3-ringed miniplug SR+ cable 1 to connect the CONTROL IN jack of this receiver with the CONTROL OUT of your plasma display. Before you can use the extra SR+ features, you need to make a few settings in the receiver. See The Input Assign menu on page 75 for detailed ...
Page 75 - Other Settings; Assigning the digital inputs
Other Settings 13 75 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Chapter 13: Other Settings The Input Assign menu You only need to make settings in the Input Assign menu if you didn’t hook up your digital equipment according to the default settings for the digital inputs, or if you have ...
Page 76 - Dynamic Range Control Setup
Other Settings 13 76 En 2 Select the number of the component video input to which you’ve connected your video component. Use / (cursor left/right) to do this. • The numbers correspond with the numbers beside the inputs on the back of the receiver. 3 Select the component that corresponds with the one...
Page 77 - LFE Attenuator Setup; Using this receiver with a Pioneer
Other Settings 13 77 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español 1 Select DUAL MONO from the OTHER setup menu. 2 Use / (cursor up/down) to choose the setting that you want. • CH1 – Only channel 1 is played • CH2 – Only channel 2 is played • CH1 CH2 – Both channels are played through the ...
Page 78 - Additional information; Troubleshooting; Problem
Additional information 14 78 En Chapter 14: Additional information Troubleshooting Incorrect operations are often mistaken for trouble and malfunctions. If you think that there is something wrong with this component, check the points below. Sometimes the trouble may lie in another component. Investi...
Page 80 - Choosing the input signal; Operating other Pioneer components
Additional information 14 80 En No sound is output or a noise is output when software with DTS is played back. • Set the digital volume level of the player to full, or to the neutral position.• Make sure the player's settings are correct and/or the DTS signal out is on. Refer to the instruction manu...
Page 81 - Resetting the main unit; SPEAKER IMPEDENCE
Additional information 14 81 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español Resetting the main unit Use this procedure to reset all the receiver’s settings to the factory default. Use the front panel controls to do this. 1 Switch the receiver into standby. 2 While holding down the TONE butt...
Page 82 - Amplifier section; Video Section; Frequency response; Component video section; Frequency response; unbalanced
Additional information 14 82 En Specifications Amplifier section • Continuous power output (stereo) Front . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 W (DIN 1kHz, THD 1.0%) • Continuous power output (surround) Front . . . . . . 100 W per channel (1kHz, 1.0%, 8 Ω ) Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 W (1kHz, ...
Page 83 - AM Tuner Section; Power cord caution
Additional information 14 83 En English Français Deutsch Nederlands Italiano Español AM Tuner Section Frequency Range 9kHz step . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531 kHz to 1,602 kHz10kHz step . . . . . . . . . . . . 530 kHz to 1,700 kHz Sensitivity (IHF, Loop antenna). . . . . . . . 350 µV/mSignal-to-Noise...
Page 84 - Printed in ; PIONEER CORPORATION; PIONEER EUROPE NV
Published by Pioneer CorporationCopyright©2005 Pioneer CorporationAll rights reserved <05C00001> Printed in <XRB3049-A> PIONEER CORPORATION 4-1, Meguro 1-Chome, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8654, Japan PIONEER ELECTRONICS (USA) INC. P.O. BOX 1540, Long Beach, California 90810-1540, U.S.A. TEL: (...