Pioneer VSX-LX505 AV Receiver

Before Starting the Procedure

This section provides important notes before operating the unit. It covers speaker impedance requirements (4 Ω to 16 Ω), the correct order for connecting the power cord, disclaim responsibility for damage from third-party equipment, and notes on network services and firmware updates.

What's in the box:

• Main unit (1)
• Remote controller (RC-974R) (1), Batteries (AAA/R03) (2)
• Speaker setup microphone (1)
• Indoor FM antenna (North American, Australian and Asian models) (1)
• AM loop antenna (North American, Australian and Asian models) (1)
• DAB/FM antenna (European models) (1)
• Power cord (1)
• Initial Setup Guide (1) (Note: This document is an online instruction manual and not supplied with the product.)

Firmware Update

The unit supports firmware updates via network or USB to add functions and improve operations. Firmware updates can be confirmed on the company's website. To check the current version, navigate to 'System Setup' > 'Miscellaneous' > 'Firmware Update' > 'Version' via the remote controller.

Firmware Update Procedure:

Updates typically take about 20 minutes. Existing settings are preserved.

• Via Network: Ensure the unit is connected to the internet. Navigate to 'System Setup' > 'Miscellaneous' > 'Firmware Update' > 'Update via NET'. Select 'Update' and press ENTER. The unit will enter standby mode upon completion. Do not disconnect cables or power during the update. Disable HDMI CEC temporarily if enabled.
• Via USB: Prepare a USB storage device (1 GB or larger, FAT16/FAT32 format). Download the firmware file from the website, unzip it, and copy all files/folders to the USB device's root folder. Connect the USB device to the unit, navigate to 'System Setup' > 'Miscellaneous' > 'Firmware Update' > 'Update via USB', select 'Update', and press ENTER. Do not disconnect the USB device or turn off power during the update.

Error Messages: Error codes like '-01', '-10' indicate network/USB connection issues. '-02' to '-21' indicate internet connection errors. Refer to the manual for specific troubleshooting steps.

Part Names

Front Panel: Features an INPUT SELECTOR dial, FL OFF indicator, Display, NETWORK indicator, Remote control sensor, Advanced MCACC indicator, MASTER VOLUME knob, STANDBY/ON button, Front flap, PHONES jack (1/4" / 6.3 mm), SETUP MIC jack, USB port (for storage devices, no standby power output), and AUX INPUT HDMI jack.

Front Panel Controls: Includes AV ADJUST button, Cursor buttons ( / / / ) with ENTER button, STATUS button, HOME MENU button, DIMMER button, LISTENING MODE button, PERSONAL PRESET 1/2/3 buttons, TUNING MODE button, and ZONE CONTROL button.

Display: Shows various information including input status (NET, USB, HDMI, DIGITAL), Bluetooth connection ( ), Wi-Fi connection ( ), Zone 2/3 status (Z2/Z3), audio output destination (A, B, AB), headphone connection ( ), muting status ( ), input signal details, and speaker/channel output.

Rear Panel (North American models): Includes DIGITAL AUDIO IN (OPTICAL/COAXIAL), AM LOOP/FM UNBAL 75Ω antenna terminals, COMPONENT VIDEO IN, VIDEO IN, Wireless antenna, HDMI OUT jacks, HDMI IN jacks, NETWORK port, USB port (5V/1A power output), AC IN, SIGNAL GND terminal, AUDIO IN jacks, IR IN/OUT port, RS-232C port, 12V TRIGGER OUT A/B jack, PREOUT jacks, SUBWOOFER PRE OUT jacks (up to two), ZONE 3 PRE/LINE OUT jacks, HEIGHT 2 PRE OUT jacks, ZONE 2 PRE/LINE OUT jacks, ZONE B LINE OUT jacks, and SPEAKERS terminals (supports banana plugs, 4mm diameter).

Rear Panel (European, Australian and Asian models): Similar to North American models, with ANTENNA DAB/FM terminal for European models instead of AM LOOP/FM UNBAL 75Ω.

Remote Controller: Features STANDBY/ON, PERSONAL PRESET buttons, Input selector buttons, Playback buttons, AV ADJUST button, Cursor buttons and ENTER button, HOME button, SLEEP button, HDMI MAIN/SUB button, INPUT SELECT button, STATUS button, RETURN button, MUTE button, TONE/DIALOG/SW buttons for sound adjustment, LISTENING MODE buttons, DIMMER button, ZONE 2/3 SHIFT button, Volume buttons, CLEAR button, +Fav button, and MODE button.

Inputting Characters

Characters and symbols can be input using the on-screen keyboard via the remote controller's cursor and ENTER buttons. Options include switching case (A/a), entering spaces, deleting characters, and clearing all input.

Speaker Layout

This unit supports various speaker configurations for immersive audio experiences, including:

• 5.1 Channel System: Basic setup with Front Left (FL), Front Right (FR), Center (C), Subwoofer (SW), Surround Left (SL), and Surround Back Left (SBL), Surround Back Right (SBR).
• 7.1 Channel System: Adds Surround Back Left (SBL) and Surround Back Right (SBR) speakers to the 5.1 system.
• 5.1.2 Channel System: A 5.1 system with one set of height speakers (Front High Left/Right - FHL/FHR, Rear High Left/Right - RHL/RHR, or Top Front Left/Right - TFL/TFR, Top Middle Left/Right - TML/TMR, Top Rear Left/Right - TRL/TRR, or Dolby Enabled Speakers - DFL/DFR, DSL/DSR).
• 7.1.2 Channel System: A 7.1 system with one set of height speakers.
• 5.1.4 Channel System: A 5.1 system with two sets of height speakers.
• 7.1.4 Channel System: A 7.1 system with two sets of height speakers.

These configurations can also be combined with ZONE 2 and ZONE 3 speaker setups.

Speaker Installation

Guidance is provided for setting up speakers based on room acoustics. Key placement considerations include speaker height, angle relative to the listening position, and distance. Specific angles and distances are suggested for different speaker types (e.g., front speakers at 22-30 degrees, surround speakers just above ear height).

Speaker Types Described:

• FL, FR: Front speakers
• C: Center speaker
• SW: Powered Subwoofer
• SL, SR: Surround speakers
• SBL, SBR: Surround Back speakers
• FHL, FHR: Front High speakers
• RHL, RHR: Rear High speakers
• TFL, TFR: Top Front speakers
• TML, TMR: Top Middle speakers
• TRL, TRR: Top Rear speakers
• DFL, DFR: Dolby Enabled Speakers (Front)
• DSL, DSR: Dolby Enabled Speakers (Surround)
• DSBL, DSBR: Dolby Enabled Speakers (Surround Back)

Speaker Connections

This section details how to connect speakers to the unit, supporting 4 Ω to 16 Ω impedance speakers. It includes instructions for connecting a subwoofer, various channel configurations (5.1, 7.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.4, 7.1.2, 7.1.4), and bi-amping front speakers. It also covers connecting speakers for ZONE 2 and ZONE 3, and connecting to a power amplifier via PRE OUT jacks.

Key Connection Notes:

• Ensure correct polarity (+ to +, - to -) for speaker cables.
• Twist exposed speaker wire ends to prevent shorts.
• For speakers with 4 Ω to 6 Ω impedance, set 'Speaker Impedance' to '4ohms' in System Setup.
• Up to two powered subwoofers can be connected to the SUBWOOFER PRE OUT jacks.

Connections

This chapter guides users through connecting various external devices and antennas.

• HDMI Cables: Notes on proper insertion, cable types for 4K/8K video (Premium High Speed, ULTRA High Speed), and handling terminals.
• Connecting the TV: Instructions for connecting a TV via HDMI for video output and audio return (ARC/eARC). Includes setup for ARC/eARC enabled TVs and non-ARC TVs (requiring an additional digital optical cable).
• Connecting the SUB Monitor: How to connect a second display to the HDMI OUT SUB jack, with notes on resolution compatibility and switching between MAIN and SUB outputs.
• Connecting Playback Devices: Details for connecting devices with HDMI jacks (BD/DVD players, game consoles) and those without HDMI. Explains the use of analog audio, component video, and digital coaxial/optical cables. Mentions HDMI CEC functionality for linked operations.
• Connecting Audio Components: Connecting CD players, turntables (including PHONO jack and SIGNAL GND terminal).
• Connecting Video Cameras: Using the front AUX INPUT HDMI jack.
• Connecting to a Separate Room (Multi-zone): Instructions for connecting a TV (ZONE 2) via HDMI and an Integrated Amplifier (ZONE 2/ZONE 3) via analog audio cables. Explains source limitations for multi-zone audio output.
• Connecting Antennas: How to connect AM loop and FM/DAB antennas.
• Network Connection: Wired LAN (Ethernet) and Wi-Fi setup instructions for accessing network services.
• Connecting External Control Devices: Using IR IN/OUT ports for remote control extenders and 12V TRIGGER OUT jacks for power linking with other equipment.
• Connecting the Power Cord: Final connection step.

Playback

This section covers various methods for playing audio and video content.

• Basic Operations: Switching inputs, starting playback on connected devices.
• BLUETOOTH® Playback: Pairing Bluetooth devices (smartphones, etc.) for audio streaming to the unit, and transmitting audio from the unit to Bluetooth headphones/speakers.
• Listening To the Radio: Tuning AM/FM/DAB stations (automatic and manual tuning), RDS features (for European models), and presetting stations.
• Listening Mode: Changing sound modes like Auto Surround, Direct, Pure Direct, Stereo, and Extended Stereo using dedicated buttons.
• AV Adjust: Quick adjustments for HDMI settings (Output, Sound Delay, ARC), Audio settings (Sound Retriever, Midnight, Stereo Assign, Zone B, Auto Phase Control+), and Room EQ (Dirac Live, MCACC EQ, Phase Control, Theater Filter, Standing Wave). Level adjustments for speakers and subwoofer are also covered.
• Network Services:
  • Spotify: Control via Spotify Connect.
  • AirPlay®: Wireless audio streaming from iOS devices and PCs with iTunes. Supports AirPlay 2 for multi-device playback.
  • DTS Play-Fi®: Wireless audio streaming and multi-room playback via the Pioneer Music Control App.
  • Amazon Alexa: Voice control capabilities after registration with an Amazon account via the Pioneer Remote App.
  • Amazon Music: Streaming service access after registration.
  • TIDAL: Streaming service access after registration.
  • Sonos System: Integration with Sonos Connect for playback and control.
  • Internet Radio: Accessing services like TuneIn Radio for streaming internet radio stations.
• Multi-zone: Playing audio in separate rooms (ZONE 2/ZONE 3) simultaneously with or independently from the main room.
• PERSONAL PRESET: Registering and recalling custom settings (input, listening mode, volume, etc.) using dedicated buttons.
• Playing music files saved on a USB storage device: Playback of music files from USB drives, including requirements for USB devices and file formats. Supports gapless playback for certain formats.
• Music Server: Streaming music files from PCs or NAS devices on the network, compatible with Windows Media® Player 12 and DLNA servers. Includes remote playback control from a PC.
• Play Queue: Creating and managing playlists (Play Queue) using the Pioneer Remote App.
• Connecting a transmitter for playback: Using ZONE B LINE OUT to connect wireless transmitters.

Setup

This extensive section details the unit's configuration options accessible via the Home menu.

• System Setup:
  • Input/Output Assign: Configure HDMI, Video, Digital Audio, and Analog Audio assignments for input selectors. Input Skip function, PERSONAL PRESET information.
  • Speaker: Detailed configuration for speaker channels (up to 7.1.4), subwoofer presence, height speaker types (Front High, Top Front, Top Middle, Top Rear, Dolby Enabled Speakers), zone speaker connections, bi-amping, speaker impedance, crossover frequencies, speaker distance, channel levels, Dolby Enabled Speaker settings (Distance, Reflex Optimizer), and Speaker Virtualizer.
  • Audio Adjust: Settings for Dual Mono/Mono playback, Dolby signal handling (Loudness Management, Center Spread), DTS/IMAX signal handling (Dialog Control, IMAX Mode, IMAX User Setting), and Volume controls (Mute Level, Volume Limit, Power On Level, Headphone Level).
  • Source: Input Volume Absorber for level matching, Name Edit for input labels, and Audio Select for prioritizing audio sources (HDMI, Optical, Analog, etc.).
  • Hardware: HDMI settings (CEC, Standby Through, Audio TV Out, Auto Delay), Power Management (Sleep Timer, Auto Standby, USB Power Out, Network Standby, Bluetooth Wakeup), 12V Trigger A/B outputs, and Sonos integration settings.
  • Multi Zone: Settings for Zone 2 and Zone 3 output levels, volume limits, power-on levels, balance, sound check, and remote play zone selection.
  • Miscellaneous: Tuner settings (Frequency Step, Search Level, DAB Auto Scan, DRC), Remote ID configuration, Firmware Update options, Initial Setup wizard, Setup menu lock, and Factory Reset.
• Advanced MCACC Menu operations:
  • Full Auto MCACC: Automatic speaker calibration for volume, crossover, distance, and equalization.
  • Manual MCACC: Manual adjustment of EQ bands for speakers and subwoofer.
  • MCACC Data Check: View speaker settings, channel levels, distances, and EQ calibration values.
• Network/Bluetooth Menu operations: Configuration for network connection (Wi-Fi, Wired LAN, DHCP, IP settings, Proxy), AirPlay settings (enable, device name, password), and Bluetooth settings (Receiver, Transmitter, pairing information, aptX HD, Low Latency Mode).
• Initial Setup with Auto Start-up Wizard: Guides users through initial setup steps like speaker setup, multi-zone sound check, ARC setup, and Room EQ.
• Pioneer Remote App: Information on using the app for control and setup.
• Dirac Live: Instructions for using Dirac Live for room acoustic calibration.