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Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide

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#1 ·
UPDATE!!! Anthem D2v NOW SHIPPING. News By Bob Pariseau:


''The Anthem Statement D2v is shipping now (confirmed). The Anthem AVM 50v is supposed to ship this coming week. [NOTE: Anthem originally referred to these two units as the "D2 v.2" and "AVM 50 v.2".]


The original Statement D2, AVM 50, and quite possibly the AVM 40, may be discontinued soon if that hasn't already happened. Upgrades to the D2v or AVM 50v for owners of the original units should be available soon (my guess would be February for the D2 -> D2v upgrade). Upgrade pricing is not confirmed yet. Either upgrade will require shipping the unit to the Anthem factory in Canada.


HDMI is V1.3c -- some folks may care about the particular V1.3 level

Speaker Xover is "Pair"

Surround Mode is BOTH PLIIx and THX (the additional THX stuff is user selectable -- you don't seem to have an option for that)


Pricing is a little confusing right now as Anthem seems to be offering a reduced "introductory" price at the moment. It appears the US MSRP for the D2v is $7499 at the moment. The AVM 50v pricing is not confirmed yet but will likely remain $2K less than the D2v pricing. The price includes Anthem ARC-1 (room correction) bundled with either the D2v or the AVM 50v.


LPCM audio: for both of these units it is up to 7.1 channels at up to 192KHz/24bit. [NOTE however that ANALOG multi-channel audio input remains 5.1 on both units.]


In addition, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD bitstream decoding are in both units now via HDMI 1.3c. Anthem has announced that "Dolby Volume" will be added as a free software upgrade for both units (user installable) -- no ETA announced.


Video is up to HDMI 1080p/60 (with 1080p/24 support) including HDMI V1.3 "Deep Color" and full video processing. Video processing is 12 bits per component (36 bits per pixel) end to end using the latest VXP chip from Sigma Designs. The two HDMI video outputs run in "parallel" -- i.e., they are both live at the same time, but they can not be set to carry different video signals. It is not clear yet whether that restriction may be relaxed in future firmware.''



Anthem support. Fast and really efficient:
tech@anthemav.com


Anthem D2v2 announcement:

http://www.castercomm.com/prView.cfm?cid=111&id=208


And the new Sigma scaler (Sigma bought Gennum...):

http://www.reuters.com/article/press...008+BW20080414

8 HDMI 1.3c IN and 2 OUT!!!!! No need for an external HDMI switcher anymore!






Here's a compilation of links to find specific informations faster in this mega-thread on the D2!


--------------------------------------------------------

PANIC ROOM!


* Should I panic since the D2/AVM50 are NOT HDMI 1.3? :


Not anymore!!!


The D2/AVM50 will both be upgradable (hardware upgrade) to do the D2v, so they will be HDMI 1.3c, 7.1, and will support decoding of DD TrueHD, DTS HD and DTS-HD Master


--------------------------------------------------------

FIRMWARE and INSTALLING NEW FIRMWARE


* Belt & suspenders approach to doing the update from Bob Pariseau
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post10645127


* Disconnect HDMI sources and display PRIOR to installing an upgrade!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9277613


* Some extra steps to make sure your settings remain good
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9543881


--------------------------------------------------------

SETUP -- SOME BASIC, SOME ADVANCED


How to adjust Phase and Polarity for your subwoofer(s)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post13997761
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post15831964



* How to get the best from your video setup (video calibration for non-ISF techs)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9277613
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9564825


* Lossless HDMI audio for folks without HDMI displays
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9805765
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9808465


* Max resolution/frame rate for processed HDMI or Component video
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9683898


* My video is "shocking pink"!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9610862


* Using AUTO DIG to get more than one device on the same input
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9564730


* What if my 1080p display only accepts up to 1080i input?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9286645


--------------------------------------------------------

ANTHEM ROOM CORRECTION (ARC-1) : AUDIO BLISS IN A FEW, EASY STEPS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14142274
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14160614
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14165296
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14181449
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14192486
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14207104
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14207158
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14207663
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14214469
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14216213
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14220432
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14232090
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14236866
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14256232
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14262027
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14267952
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14268617
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14286844
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14287488
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14296873
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14306824
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14320989
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14322061
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14327449
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14335277
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14347781
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14351330
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14353551
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14363180
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14365808
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14366806
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14370256
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14372958
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14377508
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14379882
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14380719
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14383015
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14384710
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14391953
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14393593
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14393664
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14394305
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14395567
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14396801
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14407572
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14413014
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14415277
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14420677
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14422227
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14424204
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14424251
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14424733
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14429013
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14430627
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14436325
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14439704
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14439977
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14440383
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14448571
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14451192
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14458172
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14459485
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14461019
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14462796
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14469019
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14477302
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14484075


--------------------------------------------------------

THINGS YOU CAN DO WHILE WATCHING/LISTENING


* Why can't I get to the audio processing mode I want?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9627851


*Making SDTV Programs Fill a 16:9 Screen Without Distortion
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post10864623


* Fun with Custom Cropping and Scaling
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9587424
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9652415
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9660854
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9672930
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...ostcount=10203


* What's with this Frame Lock stuff?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9556938


--------------------------------------------------------

TERMINOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY


* Color Space
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9731538
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9738172


* Data Format (YCbCr 4:4:4, etc.)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...ostcount=14288
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9442585
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9443139
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9445345
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9306459


* Frame Rates and Custom Resolutions
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9211974
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9276351


--------------------------------------------------------

SOURCE DEVICE SPECIFIC SETTINGS


* Scientific Atlanta DVR
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9557247


* Oppo 970 for SACD or DVD-Audio over HDMI
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9388249


--------------------------------------------------------

DISPLAY SPECIFIC SETTINGS


* Custom Resolution for a 1366x768 Panasonic display
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9081443


* How to output 1080p48 to Sony Ruby with Live Video Settings Editor
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9221154


* Custom /24Hz Resolution for a Sony Pearl
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9256440


* What if your display won't accept it's "native" resolution as input?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9795082


--------------------------------------------------------

SOUND SPECIFIC SETTINGS


* How to set the D2 with the Velodyne DD15 subwoofer
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post8872147


* How well does the Room Resonance Filter work? What does it do, and what affect does it have?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post10516640


==================================



Latest review by Kris Deering (august 2006) of the Anthem D2:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...006-page1.html


And my review:

http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/P...D2_Reviews.pdf


For those searching for Kris Deering's benchmark of the video section of the D2 at Secrets, you can access it directly here:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b.../V%20Processor


Anthem's page for the Statement D2:

http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/Products/D2/D2.html
 
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3
#15,201 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau /forum/post/14377508


The AVM ARC upgrade is only available for the AVM-30HD (i.e., the one that's already been upgraded to add a video board), the AVM-40, and the AVM-50. It is not available for the original AVM-30 (unless you send the unit to the factory to get the video board added) or AVM-20, nor, we've been told, for the AVM-20HD.

Hm, that's a shame, what's the difference between the 20HD and 30HD then? Sorry for all the basic questions, I've just been enjoying my 20 and not following all this. Of course that brings up another question, which software do you pick from the website for a 20HD, the AVM50 software?

Quote:
The upgrade involves replacing the single DSP hardware in the AVM with a dual DSP. This change is dealer installable, i.e., you don't have to send the unit to the factory.


You get the dual DSP change-out, plus the ARC application software itself, a specially calibrated microphone, a longish mic to USB cable, and an OK but not great mic stand for $800 (plus perhaps a bit of labor charge at the dealer for the hardware install, which only takes about 5-10 minutes).


If you don't already have one of these AVM units, you can also buy a NEW AVM-40 or AVM-50 factory bundled with the dual DSP and ARC for $500 over the previous pricing (all pricing is Anthem's MSRP).

Unfortunately (or fortunately perhaps) I've already got an AVM-20 2.1. Though given that the scaler is missing one feature I need, maybe trying to swap for a 40 is a reasonable option. Though I think it would cost me just as much as the 20HD upgrade but without the scaler.
 
#15,202 ·
I don't know why the original AVM-30 and the AVM-20HD are excluded from the ARC upgrade. I'd be willing to bet, however, that it is a technical reason rather than just marketing trying to get you to buy a newer unit.


And I'm afraid I haven't been tracking the AVM-20HD well enough to know what's up with firmware for it. I would assume, to start, that the AVM-50 firmware is the right one, but I'm not certain.

--Bob
 
#15,203 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by stanger89 /forum/post/14378349


Hm, that's a shame, what's the difference between the 20HD and 30HD then? Sorry for all the basic questions, I've just been enjoying my 20 and not following all this. Of course that brings up another question, which software do you pick from the website for a 20HD, the AVM50 software?




Unfortunately (or fortunately perhaps) I've already got an AVM-20 2.1. Though given that the scaler is missing one feature I need, maybe trying to swap for a 40 is a reasonable option. Though I think it would cost me just as much as the 20HD upgrade but without the scaler.

In an e-mail to me, Nick mentioned that "the AVM 20-HD has a different core on which the ARC doesn't work". I thought the AVM 20-HD was functionally equivalent to the AVM-50, but I'm guessing that it is only equivalent on the video side based on the comments from Nick. Also, you use the software for the AVM-50. There is not any specific software for the AVM 20-HD. On a side note, I have not been able to use any version of the settings editor to save my configuration before upgrading the firmware. None of the versions that I have tried recognize the AVM 20-HD. I sent a note to Nick a few weeks ago about it, but I have not heard back with a resolution.


Buddy
 
#15,205 ·
I have downloaded and installed ARC 1.2.5 and did remeasurements. The sound has stepped up notch. The dialogue is cleaner and overall sound is more immersing and it just plain and simple sounds really good. Another thing I did was change from THX Ultra 2 to DPLIIx. I wonder if that caused a difference in sound. I will have to do some comparison listening to really determine. I didn't try 1.2.4 because of the negative feedback; but, 1.2.5 seems like a winner. Try it out. I don't think you will be sorry.



On another note, I have heard people say that they lay the back of their recliners back when running ARC. Does that really improve the measurements from ARC? Some people say they raise the mic up high enough so that it's above the back of the recliner to prevent reflections from back of the recliner. Is that better than laying the back of the recliner back?
 
#15,206 ·
I just completed a re-Measurement with ARC V1.2.5. I also did some minor speaker repositioning as part of this. So far everything sounds great. I've not yet spotted any dramatic changes however, compared to the ARC V1.2.2 setup I had been using.


Once again, I set up a separate Movie and Music configuration where the Music configuration differs by having no Center speaker.


Cross overs this time were set by ARC to 80Hz for the LF/RF pair, 120Hz for the subwoofer, and 90Hz for the Center and Surrounds. All quite reasonable.


As last time, I did Calculations at the default 5KHz Max EQ Frequency Target and also at 12KHz and 20KHz. The 12 KHz Calculated lines are a bit bumpier than the 5KHz but nothing dramatic. This matches what I saw in V1.2.2. Curiously this time the 20KHz lines are not that much bumpier than the 12KHz lines.


In any event, I decided to Upload the 12KHz results and that's what I'm listening to now. As time passes, I'm getting less nervous about using these 12KHz results. They seem to be working well in my room.


And my oh my it does sound good!

--Bob
 
#15,207 ·
CAUTION: Possible Speaker Calibration "loud buzz" bug, perhaps due to ARC V1.2.5!


One of the things I do after an ARC Upload is to go to Setup / Speaker Calibration and double check with my trusty Radio Shack SPL meter that the speaker levels appear to have been properly Uploaded by ARC.


After the ARC V1.2.5 Upload I just described, I did this as well. And the levels all do seem to be correct. But I got one big surprise:


When I moved from Music Subwoofer to Noise Level by scrolling down one more time with the Down arrow I got a brief but loud burst of noise. It sounded like a sawtooth waveform (a harsh buzz, not a hum) around 60Hz and possibly around 80dB. It lasted for about 1/10th second and appeared to be limited to (or simply was loudest from) the Right Front speaker.


While on the Music subwoofer line, if you simply turn off the test tones by pressing the Back button you do not get this noise. People should use this as a workaround.


It may be that ARC V1.2.5 is doing something a bit different in its Upload which is related to this issue, as I've not had it with prior ARC versions.


The ARC results themselves, both for Movie and Music, sound just fine, so if there IS a bug here it appears to be isolated to the Setup / Speaker Calibration menu.


I've reported the details to Anthem tech support.

--Bob
 
#15,208 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau /forum/post/14379732

CAUTION: Possible Speaker Calibration "loud buzz" bug, perhaps due to ARC V1.2.5!


One of the things I do after an ARC Upload is to go to Setup / Speaker Calibration and double check with my trusty Radio Shack SPL meter that the speaker levels appear to have been properly Uploaded by ARC.


After the ARC V1.2.5 Upload I just described, I did this as well. And the levels all do seem to be correct. But I got one big surprise:


When I moved from Music Subwoofer to Noise Level by scrolling down one more time with the Down arrow I got a brief but loud burst of noise. It sounded like a sawtooth waveform (a harsh buzz, not a hum) around 60Hz and possibly around 80dB. It lasted for about 1/10th second and appeared to be limited to (or simply was loudest from) the Right Front speaker.


While on the Music subwoofer line, if you simply turn off the test tones by pressing the Back button you do not get this noise. People should use this as a workaround.


It may be that ARC V1.2.5 is doing something a bit different in its Upload which is related to this issue, as I've not had it with prior ARC versions.


The ARC results themselves, both for Movie and Music, sound just fine, so if there IS a bug here it appears to be isolated to the Setup / Speaker Calibration menu.


I've reported the details to Anthem tech support.

--Bob

I just tried what you described. I didn't get any noise when I went from the Music Sub to Noise Level. However, when I go from Movie Sub to Music Sub, I do hear a thump every time I scroll between Music Sub and Movie Sub.
 
#15,209 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by ninja12 /forum/post/14379673


I have downloaded and installed ARC 1.2.5 and did remeasurements. The sound has stepped up notch. The dialogue is cleaner and overall sound is more immersing and it just plain and simple sounds really good. Another thing I did was change from THX Ultra 2 to DPLIIx. I wonder if that caused a difference in sound. I will have to do some comparison listening to really determine. I didn't try 1.2.4 because of the negative feedback; but, 1.2.5 seems like a winner. Try it out. I don't think you will be sorry.



On another note, I have heard people say that they lay the back of their recliners back when running ARC. Does that really improve the measurements from ARC? Some people say they raise the mic up high enough so that it's above the back of the recliner to prevent reflections from back of the recliner. Is that better than laying the back of the recliner back?

I'm not sure which of those two mic positioning options is really better. A 3rd choice is just to move the mic closer to the screen by about, say, a foot, so that it is not so close to the seat back. I think lowering the seat back is probably fine. You just want to reduce the near-field reflections off the seat back messing up what the mic hears.


------------------------------------


With ARC in place I've pretty much stopped using THX post processing altogether. I believe this is due to the "timbre adjustment" that THX is trying to add to the sound. The ARC sound is clean enough that the THX processing just seems to get in the way.


There are some movies where I will turn on THX Re-Equalization, even though the rest of the THX post processing is turned off. This is to remove the treble bias in the Center speaker that was added for theatrical release. I find myself doing that pretty infrequently these days, however.


Of course for older mono movies I'll go all the way to Mono-Academy audio mode to remove the severe treble bias built into those older sound tracks.

--Bob
 
#15,210 ·
My ARC kit should arrive this week for my AVM50. In reading through the manual on the setup procedure, I have some questions. I appologize if some of my questions are obvious when actually running it so just tell me if that's the case.


1. In the manual it states, "Positions 2 and 3 should be symmetric to the left and the right of the centerline and the same applies to the remaining positions." Is the centerline considered you primary seating position? Can someone explain exactly what this means?


2. How far in front of your seating position can the mic be?


3. In the manual it states, "Set the mic in the first position. Don't stand near the mic while sweep tones are playing." Where can I be when sweep tones are playing? Should I leave the room?


4. Also, in the manual it states, "If you made measurements for a music configuration, assign bass manager accordingly." What does this mean?


5. Do you have to run measurements each time you update the ARC software?


Thanks,
 
#15,211 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluemark81 /forum/post/14380348


My ARC kit should arrive this week for my AVM50. In reading through the manual on the setup procedure, I have some questions. I appologize if some of my questions are obvious when actually running it so just tell me if that's the case.


1. In the manual it states, "Positions 2 and 3 should be symmetric to the left and the right of the centerline and the same applies to the remaining positions." Is the centerline considered you primary seating position? Can someone explain exactly what this means?


2. How far in front of your seating position can the mic be?


3. In the manual it states, "Set the mic in the first position. Don't stand near the mic while sweep tones are playing." Where can I be when sweep tones are playing? Should I leave the room?


4. Also, in the manual it states, "If you made measurements for a music configuration, assign bass manager accordingly." What does this mean?


5. Do you have to run measurements each time you update the ARC software?


Thanks,

1) Mic position #1 should be on the center axis from your screen at the distance of your primary listening position. Subsequent mic positions should alternate to either side of center. Like this:


#4 -- #2 -- #1 -- #3 -- #5


Each position should be at least 24 inches apart from all the other positions.


2) ARC is much more sensitive to the mic height than to its horizontal position so long as the guidance in (1) above is followed. I would think you would be fine if the mic was in front of your ear position at a given location by as much as the length of the chair seat itself for example. ARC is picking up room modes which are audio response characteristics in the room that have pretty significant size. The vertical positioning is critical because many speakers don't have particular good vertical spread in the mid-range and treble.


3) Step away from the mic by a few feet at least. Try not to stand between any speaker and the mic. A wireless mouse makes it easier to start the Measurement without being right next to the computer (which will usually be set up between the screen and the mic positions). You don't need to leave the room.


4) If you look in Setup / Speaker Configuration you'll see that you can set up a separate Music configuration from the normal Cinema (or Movie) configuration. If you do that, then for each source definition (Setup / Source Setup) you must select whether the Movie or Music configuration will be used for bass management -- really for all the various aspects of speaker management, including bass steering. This is for manual setup.


When you run ARC the ARC application asks you to specify which speakers will be used and gives you the option of setting a separate Music configuration. The ARC Upload then replaces your current Setup / Speaker Configuration with what you tell ARC to use (along with details ARC calculates such as appropriate cross overs). But if you set up a separate Movie and Music configuration you still have to decide on your own which one should be used for each Source definition. By default, all sources will use the Movie configuration.


5) Whether you need to re-Measure depends on what has changed in the new ARC version. In some cases all you will need to do is re-Calculate and re-Upload starting from your most recent set of Measurements. In general, however, if Anthem doesn't specify that you can just re-Calculate and re-Upload you should plan on having to do a fresh set of Measurements.

--Bob
 
#15,212 ·
After some more listening to ARC V1.2.5 I believe it sounds *EVEN BETTER* in the bass than my prior, ARC V1.2.2 setup.


I don't know if this is due to the particulars of how I did this new Measurement or if the bug fix in ARC V1.2.5 actually improves ARC processing even in cases where the bug is not so bad as to be heard as a "bass earthquake".


I think it would be good to hear from others upgrading from ARC V1.2.2 to ARC V1.2.5 to see if there is something significant going on here that might make it even more important for V1.2.2 users to upgrade and re-Measure.

--Bob
 
#15,213 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluemark81 /forum/post/14380348


My ARC kit should arrive this week for my AVM50. In reading through the manual on the setup procedure, I have some questions. I appologize if some of my questions are obvious when actually running it so just tell me if that's the case.


1. In the manual it states, "Positions 2 and 3 should be symmetric to the left and the right of the centerline and the same applies to the remaining positions." Is the centerline considered you primary seating position? Can someone explain exactly what this means?


2. How far in front of your seating position can the mic be?


3. In the manual it states, "Set the mic in the first position. Don't stand near the mic while sweep tones are playing." Where can I be when sweep tones are playing? Should I leave the room?


4. Also, in the manual it states, "If you made measurements for a music configuration, assign bass manager accordingly." What does this mean?


5. Do you have to run measurements each time you update the ARC software?


Thanks,

1,Centerline is position1 or your sweet spot. This is where the ARC will determine the GAIN for each speaker relative to this position. From this position, mic placement 2 and 3 should be no less than 24 inches from the centerline.Therefore if you measure position 2 on the left of the centerline, the next position will be on the right alternately. For position 4 and 5, just follow the same procedure with symetry in mind.


2, It's not cleat where it should be, but some suggest a foot from the back of the seat. I place a piece of towel where my head is so as to control near field reflections. I experiement from 6 inch to 1 ft.


3 No, just be far enough that the direct sound coming from the active speaker. Nothing should be in between the mic and the speaker being measured.


4.This should be automatic with the NEWER version of ARC. It verifies the upload process and updates the Bass management accordingly.


5. Yes and no. It really depends on the instructions that accompanies each update.
 
#15,215 ·
I find the cross over values selected by ARC work exceedingly well in my setup.


Keep in mind that the effective cross over is a combination of both the actual filter settings themselves and also the action of the room correction parameters.


It looks to me like ARC favors an overlap of cross overs which means the audio will generally be hot in the transition region. This means that most of the work of the room correction stuff can be done by reducing peaks instead of having to boost dips (which is harder).

--Bob
 
#15,216 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by muad'dib /forum/post/14381103


Now that many are using the ARC.. what do most of you think about the auto Crossover points?



or..


Do most of you agree to set the Crossover to 80hz(the way movies were mixed I beleive) for all speakers, then re-calculate with those?


Thanx much to all..

In my case, I have experimented with 80 hertz as my crossover point for movies and 90 high pass and 70 low pass for music. Its because I want my main speakers not to have freq. that are better reproduced by the subs. My crossover points are at 40 main 40 center, 65 rear and surrounds via ARC
 
#15,217 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau /forum/post/14381515


I find the cross over values selected by ARC work exceedingly well in my setup.


Keep in mind that the effective cross over is a combination of both the actual filter settings themselves and also the action of the room correction parameters.


It looks to me like ARC favors an overlap of cross overs which means the audio will generally be hot in the transition region. This means that most of the work of the room correction stuff can be done by reducing peaks instead of having to boost dips (which is harder).

--Bob

I have never tried tweaking the crossover points but I do agree with Bob. ARC does for me an astonishing work.

Yesterday I saw Batman Begins, and in one scene there is this rumble of very low bass sound wave coming from far on the screen towards me. I just ducked. It was so overwhelming, so believable. G** they did a good job!
 
#15,218 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by ninja12 /forum/post/14379852


I just tried what you described. I didn't get any noise when I went from the Music Sub to Noise Level. However, when I go from Movie Sub to Music Sub, I do hear a thump every time I scroll between Music Sub and Movie Sub.

When you tried this in Setup / Speaker Calibration, did you have the test tones actually turned on (test mode Manual in the first line instead of OFF)? I had the test tones on when I got this loud buzz. And have you already done an ARC V1.2.5 Upload? I've not had this buzz happen prior to doing a V1.2.5 Upload.


I too hear the much quieter, single, dull thump when moving in or out of either of the two subwoofer lines, but I only hear that if the test tones are OFF as otherwise the test tone itself is loud enough to conceal it. The thump has been happening for quite a while, so it's not related to ARC V1.2.5, in fact I don't think it's related to ARC at all.

--Bob
 
#15,219 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by abc999 /forum/post/14381813


In my case, I have experimented with 80 hertz as my crossover point for movies and 90 high pass and 70 low pass for music. Its because I want my main speakers not to have freq. that are better reproduced by the subs. My crossover points are at 40 main 40 center, 65 rear and surrounds via ARC

How did the experiment turn out? Could you hear a difference? Which was better?

--Bob
 
#15,220 ·
AVM ARC USERS: Remember to re-install V1.33!


Since we are getting some new ARC Upgrade for AVM-40/AVM-50 readers at this point, I want to mention again one detail that might easily be overlooked by your dealer:


After the dual DSP hardware change is made in your AVM unit (dealer installable) you must then do a V1.33 firmware install -- EVEN IF YOU ALREADY HAVE V1.33 INSTALLED!


The new V1.33 install is necessary for the firmware to see and activate the second DSP.


-------------------------------------------------


And if your dealer has received ARC upgrades for more than one customer, make sure he hands you the upgrade kit that matches the serial number of your Anthem. The licensing & calibration files included in each upgrade kit are keyed to a specific serial number and will only work on that one Anthem unit.


And if your dealer has opened the ARC upgrade box out of curiosity or whatever, make sure he hasn't mixed up the calibrated microphone with the one from another kit. The microphone also has a serial number. The ARC install CD has a label on it that identifies the Anthem processor serial number and the microphone serial number that need to be paired together for everything to work correctly.

--Bob
 
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