Pioneer VSX-LX505 AVR Review

[mariusxv]

I'm using LX305, but i think it works the same. Press "info" button on remote to get more information including sound mode. Unfortunately it doesn't work for internal streamer. I suggest to install Pioneer remote app on the phone. There you can check what are current settings: room correction slot, tone settings, EQ, sound mode. And maybe you could find wich setting is wrong.

Other suggestion: when all works correctly, program a preset button. Then you will be able to easy return to these settings.

I tried everything. Even when the listening mode is set to DIRECT, there is still a noticeable difference in sound if I follow the steps described below.

I set the Zone Preout to Zone B. Then, on any source, I pressed “AV Adjust” and, in the Audio settings, changed Zone B to A+B, and then back to Off.
After doing this, the sound changed. To return it to normal, I pressed the Auto/Direct button, switching from Direct/Pure Direct back to Stereo mode.

 

[EWL5]

I tried everything. Even when the listening mode is set to DIRECT, there is still a noticeable difference in sound if I follow the steps described below.

I set the Zone Preout to Zone B. Then, on any source, I pressed “AV Adjust” and, in the Audio settings, changed Zone B to A+B, and then back to Off.
After doing this, the sound changed. To return it to normal, I pressed the Auto/Direct button, switching from Direct/Pure Direct back to Stereo mode.

Is it too late to return the unit to the retailer?

 

[mariusxv]

Is it too late to return the unit to the retailer?

No, it’s still within the warranty period, but it’s a bit complicated.

 

[Power Pop 23]

No, it’s still within the warranty period, but it’s a bit complicated.

Good to hear your sample is still under warranty.

A warranty claim may be worth the complication.

Premium Audio Corporation ceased licensing the Pioneer (home audio) brand from Pioneer Electronics in July 2025.

I am not certain but I do not believe Premium Audio Corporation is obligated to support your '505' after the warranty has expired.

 

[popej]

I set the Zone Preout to Zone B. Then, on any source, I pressed “AV Adjust” and, in the Audio settings, changed Zone B to A+B, and then back to Off.

I have tried this procedure. Started from stereo, A+B forced extended stereo and with back to off AVR returned to stereo. No problems for me.

 

[mariusxv]

I have tried this procedure. Started from stereo, A+B forced extended stereo and with back to off AVR returned to stereo. No problems for me.

Thank you for your help.I'll contact my supplier for warranty.

 

[MbphotoX]

Setup is 5.1 without a subwoofer and with bi-amp. But when I listen to music, it is always in Stereo mode.
I mean the Auto/Direct button, not Auto Surround (switching from Direct/Pure Direct back to Stereo mode).
I also tried Dirac, but it shows the same behavior. Do you have firmware version R145?
My sources are HDMI, RCA for phono, and Spotify (NET). I always make sure it’s in Stereo mode.
The display shows the name of the source I’m using.

Question (maybe a silly one):
Do you have the speakers connected with to pairs of cables from the correct terminals on the back? (I'm assuming you do)

And do you have the "bridge" on the back of the speakers disconnected? (those fancy turny knobbies must be turned counter-clockwise to unlink the Hi and Low drivers)

This is simply to ensure that the Bi-Amping was set up correctly, but I assume that's what you did.


Why am I asking?

My Suspicion is, that you are hearing only "part" of your speakers when your issue arises, with the receiver somehow disengaging the bi-amp mode.


In order to identify this problem, I would suggest rolling back to non-bi-amping (there's really not much use in bi-amping here, even though the receiver should be capable of providing more power that way, you won't gain more than 3dB headroom anyways.. and we're talking way beyond 100 dB here already)


Suggestion:

1. Reset the Receiver and start from scratch. Connect the speakers without bi-amping
Link the bridge on the terminal of the speaker, only connect one cable, disable "bi-amp" mode.

don't run any room correction (not much is active in direct mode anyways) and don't set up distance and EQ and crossovers yet.


2. Test it this way. If the issue doesn't occur, then re-install the bi-amping, unlink the bridge on the speaker, connect the second set of cables, activate bi-amp mode.

Still no room correction, no EQ, etc. just switch to bi-amp mode.

Now test again with your music.

If the issue occurs, there might be a problem with the software and the bi-amp mode.



Install the Pioneer Remote app, but also check the display (not the big letter stuff, the TINY symbols along the edge, gotta get really close to see them, like 10" away)
What does it show. Does it really list Direct mode when the error occurs? Or does the mode switch to something else?





TLDR:
I wouldn't use bi-amp mode with any AV-Receiver. Your problem probably goes away if you simply don't use it. 5 Minute fix.
If you have an hour, try my suggestion above, before requesting a warranty replacement.

 

[mariusxv]

Question (maybe a silly one):
Do you have the speakers connected with to pairs of cables from the correct terminals on the back? (I'm assuming you do)
View attachment 523495

And do you have the "bridge" on the back of the speakers disconnected? (those fancy turny knobbies must be turned counter-clockwise to unlink the Hi and Low drivers)
View attachment 523496


This is simply to ensure that the Bi-Amping was set up correctly, but I assume that's what you did.


Why am I asking?

My Suspicion is, that you are hearing only "part" of your speakers when your issue arises, with the receiver somehow disengaging the bi-amp mode.


In order to identify this problem, I would suggest rolling back to non-bi-amping (there's really not much use in bi-amping here, even though the receiver should be capable of providing more power that way, you won't gain more than 3dB headroom anyways.. and we're talking way beyond 100 dB here already)


Suggestion:

1. Reset the Receiver and start from scratch. Connect the speakers without bi-amping
Link the bridge on the terminal of the speaker, only connect one cable, disable "bi-amp" mode.

don't run any room correction (not much is active in direct mode anyways) and don't set up distance and EQ and crossovers yet.


2. Test it this way. If the issue doesn't occur, then re-install the bi-amping, unlink the bridge on the speaker, connect the second set of cables, activate bi-amp mode.

Still no room correction, no EQ, etc. just switch to bi-amp mode.

Now test again with your music.

If the issue occurs, there might be a problem with the software and the bi-amp mode.



Install the Pioneer Remote app, but also check the display (not the big letter stuff, the TINY symbols along the edge, gotta get really close to see them, like 10" away)
What does it show. Does it really list Direct mode when the error occurs? Or does the mode switch to something else?





TLDR:
I wouldn't use bi-amp mode with any AV-Receiver. Your problem probably goes away if you simply don't use it. 5 Minute fix.
If you have an hour, try my suggestion above, before requesting a warranty replacement.

Sorry for late reply...
I tried all your suggestions, but I’m still getting the same behavior.
I will contact my supplier.
Thank you!

Can you confirm that you have this firmware r145-1119-1284-0034

 

[MbphotoX]

Sorry for late reply...
I tried all your suggestions, but I’m still getting the same behavior.
I will contact my supplier.
Thank you!

Can you confirm that you have this firmware r145-1119-1284-0034

so you reset the receiver and went to single amping mode, and still the same?

Yeah, then I would ask for a warranty replacement.

 

[mariusxv]

so you reset the receiver and went to single amping mode, and still the same?

Yeah, then I would ask for a warranty replacement.

Yes,the same...

 

[popej]

I use LX305. I have found info, that low pass for LFE is wrong. LFE channel shoud have low pass filter and it usually is 120Hz. Some AVR allow to set LPF for LFE, for example in RZ30 you can set LPF from 80 to 120Hz. There is no setting in LX305 nor in LX505.
I have checked with REW, that in LX305, LPF for LFE channel is always set to speakers crossover frequency. If I set crossover to 50Hz, then all content in LFE channel above 50Hz is filtered too. It is a bug. Quite probably LX505 is affected too.

 

[BJL]

I use LX305. I have found info, that low pass for LFE is wrong. LFE channel shoud have low pass filter and it usually is 120Hz. Some AVR allow to set LPF for LFE, for example in RZ30 you can set LPF from 80 to 120Hz. There is no setting in LX305 nor in LX505.
I have checked with REW, that in LX305, LPF for LFE channel is always set to speakers crossover frequency. If I set crossover to 50Hz, then all content in LFE channel above 50Hz is filtered too. It is a bug. Quite probably LX505 is affected too.

It is on page 134 of the LX505 manual:

"When there are speakers that have been set to "Small", set the Hz under which
you would like other speakers to play bass, and also set Hz under which you
would like the LFE (low frequency effect) to play the bass.
The value from "50 Hz" to "200 Hz" can be set."

This is a little unclear because they call all subwoofer output as LFE without distinguishing between the actual LFE channel and content from the other speakers.

The manual does not explain what happens with the LFE channel LPF if all speakers are set to "large."