0305WHC34 Pioneer/Tannoy

20/3/03

Page 30

Separates System: 960

Silver Stunner
Pioneer DV-550 DVD player 230 Pioneer VSX C550 Receiver 250 Tannoy FX 5.1 Speakers 480 We build a top-notch separates based system from two brands with a strong movie and music heritage, Tannoy and Pioneer
tyle is a matter of personal taste. What looks good to one person may look like a dogs dinner to someone else. Thankfully, this blend of Pioneer electronics and Tannoy speakers is well matched stylistically and makes a serious-looking home cinema setup that will suit anyone wanting to build a system around dedicated components. The two brands share similar design values and the dull silver finish of the Pioneer setups casework closely matches the hue of the Tannoy speaker cabinets. Essentially, the Pioneer electronics are closely related to the DV-454 DVD player and VCS-C100 receiver combi that we looked at in our December 2002 issue, but they have half-mirrored front panels that give them a more glamorous styling and more costly price tag. All the components are impressively built, but its the solidity of the Tannoy speaker package that really gets it noticed, and it feels much more substantial than its price tag suggests. The satellites come supplied with speaker cable and wall-mounting brackets, and optional matching floorstands are also available at extra cost. Positioning the subwoofer is a bit of a chore, due to its massive size and unflattering grey finish; as subs go, its not the most inconspicuous model we have seen, and is not enough of a looker to be left on show. We are constantly amazed by what you can squeeze into a tiny box, and Pioneers slimline electronics have got the lot. As well as digital surround sound processing,
It forms a well-balanced home cinema system that is pleasing to both the ears and the eyes
theres Dolby Pro-Logic II processing for digital-like surround sound from stereo sources, and the DVD player sports a handy RGB-enabled Scart socket for easy hookup and best-quality pictures to a suitably equipped TV screen. Theres no component video output for the very best picture signals to a suitably equipped TV, but it does play JPEG photo images stored on CD-R or CD-RW discs via a computer. Another nice touch is a handy audio-video input and digital optical input on the receivers front panel for convenient connection to a camcorder or games console, meaning theres no need to fumble around the back when you want to connect a temporary source.

Features aplenty

System setup is a doddle and everything you need to connect the individual components to one another is provided. Theres even a natty remote control supplied with the VSX-C550 audio-video receiver that also controls the DVD player, while Pioneers neat onscreen navigation menu system lets you tailor the system to your particular tastes and environment in intuitive steps. Pioneers range of DVD components are renowned for their spectacular picture performance, and the DV-550 DVD player lives up to the brands respected reputation. Images from Fight Club look razor-sharp with natural skin tones that show up Edward Nortons gruesome facial injuries to brutal affect. The Pioneers images have the kind of texture and detail

Tannoy FX 5.1 speakers

The Tannoy speaker packages sturdy build quality belies its price tag
Pioneer DV-550 DVD player
Images on the DV-550 are razor-sharp with no sign of picture noise

30 What Home Cinema

May 2003

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Test Scenes

Fight Club

Punch and moody
The Pioneers pictures will knock you out, and bring Fight Club to the screen with an unsettling amount of brutality

Norton utilities

Onscreen dialogue is rich and powerful and its hard to imagine that Edward Nortons voice is coming from the tiny satellite speaker by the TV
that really do justice to the movie, and even though much of the film is shot in the shadows or at night, theres no hint of milkiness or picture noise in even the darkest parts of the movie. Given the slimline dimensions of the VSX-C550 receiver, it crams in an impressively powerful five-channel amplifier and can easily fill a medium-to-large room with impressive volume levels. Handling of dialogue is the most impressive characteristic of the Pioneer and Tannoy combo, and the tiny satellite centre speaker produces rich and believable sound with Edward Nortons voiceovers. This is partly due to the powerful subwoofer, which, unlike many systems subs, doesnt give its sonic presence away, with voices remaining firmly anchored to the screen. The blend of the Pioneer receiver and Tannoy speaker package results in a mellow sound that is free from much of the harshness that is usually associated with similar-sized satellite speakers. Sounds seem to roll from the corners of the room, caressing your ears rather than assaulting your senses from all directions. Despite a lack of treble, the system still manages to convey just the right amount of detail, and effects

sound focused and are expertly placed around the room. Explosive bass sequences are very well handled, and the punches in Fight Clubs fight sequences sound so impactful and realistic that you will grimace in horror.

A sound pedigree

Musically, this system comes from good stock. Both brands have a respected musical heritage and the combination proves to be a considerable success, with the likes of Sugababes Angels with Dirty Faces CD, sounding well balanced and enjoyable to listen to. However, the DV-550 refused to play discs that contain copy-control technology, rejecting our Massive Attack 100th Window and Pet Shop Boys Disco 3 discs as unreadable. Despite this flaw, the Pioneer and Tannoy pairing works well, and are closely matched for looks. Overall, they form a well-balanced home cinema system that is pleasing to both the ears and eyes, and we think youll be hard-pressed to find a better Further Info alternative at Call or visit www.pioneer.co.uk Call or visit www.tannoy.com the price.

Subtly does it

The subwoofer may not be a looker, but it underpins soundtracks with subtlety and power

Good Point

A fine blend of components that match aesthetically and sonically. Picture performance is excellent and sound with movies and music is powerful. Plays JPEG photo images

Bad Points

Sound may be too laidback for some tastes. Wont play new breed of CDs containing copy-control technology

Overall

A well-matched blend of separate components that delivers excellent home cinema performance and has looks that were made for one another
Pioneer VSX C550 receiver
Despite its slimline styling, the VSX D550 fills the room with impressive volume levels

Ratings

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall

5555555556

What Home Cinema May 2003

0308WHC07 pioneer/tannoy system

6/19/03

2:54 PM

Page 28

Combination Systems

Pioneer/Tannoy system

his cute separates system brings together two well-known brands with respected home cinema reputations. The Pioneer and Tannoy components look surprisingly like they were made for one another and share similar design values that gel the system together. The silver-clad Pioneer DV-550 DVD player and VSX-C550 amplifier have mirrored front panels and their slender dimensions really catch the eye. Both are available for under 250 each. The 450 Tannoy FX 5.1 speaker package is similarly finished in a silver casing and matches the Pioneer components perfectly. All components are solidly built and the speaker package feels more substantial than its price tag suggests. The satellites are compact enough to go relatively unnoticed when placed around the room, and brackets are supplied in case you wish to wall-mount them. Alternatively, optional floor stands are also available at an extra cost. The subwoofer is a beefy model, looking more than powerful enough to cope with DVD's awesome bass soundtrack. The Pioneer amplifier handles digital surround processing for both Dolby Digital and DTS formats, and also has Dolby Pro-Logic II processing to provide digital-like surround sound from stereo sources. The DVD player is equipped to deliver superior RGB picture signals via its Scart socket and is one of a growing number of models that can play JPEG photo images stored on a CD-R or CD-RW disc via a computer. Connectivity is adequate and can accommodate external sources such as a set-top box or VCR. Whats more, there are even inputs on the front panel, for temporary connection of a games console or camcorder.

Test Scenes

The remote handset supplied with the Pioneer receiver can also control the DVD player, and the neat onscreen menu system allows you to tailor the system's performance to your particular tastes and surroundings.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Visual wizardry

Pictures from the Pioneer DVD player have an amazing amount of texture that makes you feel as though you could reach out and touch the characters in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Images are pin sharp and skin tones look so natural that you can see every wrinkle on Professor Dumbledore's face. The Pioneer makes watching DVD movies a pleasure on any type of screen, and even if the pictures are not quite to your tastes there are plenty of settings to play around with so that you get images exactly as you like them. Not only do the Pioneer and Tannoy components look good together, but their sound is also well-matched. All the components combine to make a smooth and rounded sound that is mellow and free of any harshness. It gently caresses your ears with the stunning effects on the Quidditch pitch, rather than bombarding them with sound from all directions. You might think that the system lacks treble, but there's just enough detail to ensure that you can hear dialogue clearly on screen yet not so overly detailed that Hermione's voice sounds any more irritating than it should. Both brands come from good musical stock, so it's no surprise that the system performs well with music. However, the Pioneer DV-550 can be a bit fussy about the type of CDs it will play and appears unable to read discs that contain copy-control technology. The compatibility problem with some CD material may be an issue for some, but the Pioneer and Tannoy package makes a good-looking and sounding home cinema system, at a very reasonable price. Further Info
Call Pioneer or visit www.pioneer.co.uk Call Tannoy or visit www.tannoy.com

Strokable sorcerer

The texture of images on the Pioneer makes you feel that you can reach out and touch the characters on screen

A smooth ride

The roar of the crowd at the Quidditch match is effective without being harsh

Good Points

The system gels sonically and aesthetically. Great pictures and sound with movies and music. Plays JPEG photos

Bad Points

Not the most upfront sound, will not play CDs containing copy control technology

Overall

A well-matched separates system that delivers an excellent performance

Ratings

Style Ease of use Features Picture Sound Value Overall

5555555555

28 What Home Cinema August 2003