All can process the standard HD audio and video formats and include additional features such as an Apple-approved Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad connection via USB, Apple AirPlay, DLNA networking, Bluetooth and vTuner internet radio.
They all support 3D with Audio Return Channel and come with the latest spec HDMI inputs.
Top of the range are the 720-watt SC-LX75 and 810-watt SC-LX85, both of which offer nine channels and use Pioneer’s Direct Energy HD amplifiers built on Class D technology, with hand-tuning by AIR Studios.
They also offer seven HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs and include a new DAC filter, 32-bit audio processing and support for DTS Neo X.
Each can be used in up to ten different channel assignment patterns, so you could have a nine-channel set-up in one room, or have a five-channel surround system in one room with stereo sound in two other rooms at the same time.
Pioneer’s Stream Smoother Link and Sound Retriever Link claim to boost the quality of low-bitrate video and audio.
A little further down the scale are the VSX-LX55 and VSX-2021, both of which deliver 7.1 channels with 150 watts of power per channel.
Also new are the iControlAV2 and Air Jam iOS apps, both of which will work with all four models, though you’ll need a Bluetooth adaptor for the Air Jam.
The SC-LX75 and SC-LX85 receivers are due to hit the shops in September, while the VSX-LX55 and VSX-2021 should be with us in July.
