Anthem MRX Receivers - 300, 500, 700 Owners Thread & Tweaking Guide - Page 243

Well, I didn't see how the comment seemed to be adding anything helpful

Not to worry about the learning curve! That is why we offer to help out look at things with you!

Trust me, we all had some learning to do at one point, I sure did!

If you made this change before you ran ARC, than not to worry, ARC will have set it where it wanted it after you did your ARC upload.

If you made changes after ARC, you will want to re-upload your ARC results.


+1 When you run ARC, it actually over rides the speaker settings, test the full range of the speakers and then uploads the most appropriate settings for you when it uploads the corrections. If you are using ARC, the only thing you really need to configure is the distance to each speaker (and you can do that after the fact if you like).

Distance and Phase.

+1, Yes, phase as well (of course)... I meant settings on the MRX, but you are absolutely correct, phase should be checked on your sub (as well as making sure the sub has the crossover disabled or set as high as possible before you run ARC).

Note, like speaker distances, you can set the sub phase before or after ARC, it will not impact ARC. Unless of course you have multiple subs, in which case you must set up phase for all the subs before you run ARC, as ARC will treat all your subs as one sub and listen to them all at the same time! If you are running with multiple subs, see the multi-sub section of the FAQ post (post #2) in this thread.

I am serious looking at buying MRX500 to drive my Paradigm monitor v6 speakers and SVS PB12-NSD Sub. I have couple of questions tho:
1. Will it be a perfect match for my speakers?
2. Does it have the option of manually adjusting the tone of individual speakers (like a graphic equalizer) without disabling the ARC?
3. How does MRX500 compare with Pioneer Elite SC37?

I see that setting the phase is a critical step, how does one know what is the correct phase is on a sub woofer?.

thanks

atabea

Hi Nick.

I'm a few posts behind on this but if you're still around, I have a question. I personally don't mind having to use a separate computer (even if it has to be running Windows - and I use a Mac myself).

My biggest "problem" is it having to be a Windows XP. Any chance of updates to ARC software that would allow it to use Windows 7 without problems?

When I asked Anthem, even they admitted XP just works better.

Thanks

Setting sub phase in an ARC system is crucial IMO in the quest for best sound.

ARC measures one channel at a time and calculates crossovers/cutoffs/levels between mains and sub ASSUMING the speakers are in correct phase alignment (and that they will therefore sum their outputs in the crossover area and NOT cancel).

The resulting sound will ONLY approximate the calculated ARC targets IF the sub phase is correctly set.

If it is not, then the vital crossover between mains and sub will have a hole versus ARC targets. This, I believe, is at least part of the source of some listeners believing ARC delivers a "lean" or "lacking bass" sound. The upper bass area is key for music to sound real, far more than the ability to reach 10Hz.

The solution is not to tweak the bass control but instead to follow a (unfortunately manual) process to phase align mains and sub. It does not matter if this is done before or after ARC but it does NEED to be done to experience what ARC has attempted to deliver.

IMO this is a vital step and a detailed process should be in the FAQ and in the Athem manual.




I set my own phase using REW after ARC set EQ and levels and the difference is very obvious with music in the areas of punch, "fullness", walking bass guitar sequences, the realism of drums and the timbre of male voices. I feel I am now getting what ARC intended, not a "thin" version of the same.....



Discuss?

I use win7 in bootcamp on the old mac. Works ok for me?
however last night a piece of the mac case split... I will probably go back to windows machine as I cant justify another mac and I'd like to be able to rip blurays now.

A sound difference between sitting/standing may be caused by the vertical sound dispersion of the loudspeakers. This is rather common, and is why loudspeaker manufacturers recommend setting the tweeter at listening height. Some speakers do have limited uniformity of sound on purpose. Some center channel speakers limit the "off axis" vertical high frequency sound dispersion in an effort to improve clarity. If you have ribbon tweeters, these are very limited in their vertical spread of the sound. And, sometimes, that's the best the loudspeaker designer can do. Try angling the front of speakers up just a little and see if this helps.

I am planning on re-running ARC today since I did manually change the settings after ARC was ran.

Last night we watched a couple of movies and I felt like the dialog was lacking some on the center. When I checked the speaker, all the drivers/woofers appeared to be working. Maybe ARC thinks the center needs to be at 120hz??

Guess I could try moving the center back some on my entertainment stand. Right now I have it all the way up on the lip, thinking the closer to the listening area the better.

We watched the first movie with the Fronts set to Large and the center set to 100hz. Then I changed them back to the way ARC set them, Fronts as small crossed at 60hz and center crossed at 120hz. Should I assume that eventhough I changed them back, the settings aren't the same as when ARC initially did its thing?

Thanks..

Weird, once I updated FW 50.12 the popping stopped completely! Hope Anthem can sort you out.

Good Luck

I would rerun ARC with the center as far out of it's enclosure as possible( I am assuming that the center is not rear ported as this will a negative effect to say the least), do not mess with what ARC sets, upload and have a good listen, post your results, enjoy the process, it takes some patience and a bit of time to really dial in great results.

Have fun and good luck!

Chris

There's no magic to those Setup settings. If you changed them back to what ARC Uploaded then you are good to go.

If you are not sure you changed them back properly, then open the ARC results file saved on your computer and just tell ARC to redo the Upload. No need to re-Measure unless you did something that alters the solution ARC built, such as moving a speaker.
--Bob

While I would probably normally agree with moving the center out in this case the center is so lacking in low end as measured by ARC that I'd try it against the wall. After changing his speakers and crossovers manually but still having ARC set to on things would be really messed up. I think his sub needed to be checked if there were any filters on and if so ARC would need to be rerun. If the sub could be moved I'd try a corner to see if it could go a bit lower. I'm guessing on the sub as I'm just going by what I think I remember of his chart and I think Tigger said to check for filters. I remember the center chart pretty well.

I think there was a communication failure in your discussion with Anthem. There are lots of folks using ARC under Windows 7 without problems.

Really, the ARC application has pretty simple requirements of the computer operating system, so there's no reason why it shouldn't work under Windows 7. It needs to be able to access the mic via the Windows Wave Media framework, it has simple needs for its user interface, and it needs to be able to run without other apps, sleep mode, or the firewall getting in the way. All of that works just fine on Windows 7.
--Bob

When I drop my projector screen down, I have to move my left and right front speakers out so they aren't blocked by the screen. Can you have two different settings for ARC? I noticed you can run it for "Movies" and for "Music". My thought was I could use the "Music" setting for when I am watching a movie with my projector...

Wonder if that would work?

That should work but you have to manually adjust the distance. You will have to go through the whole measurement for both of course.

I have no problems with windows 7.

Many folks will find the default settings are close enough for sub Phase -- particularly if your sub is in the front of the room near your front speakers. Others will find they have only a little cancellation even when Phase is wrong.

But it is still worth checking because you MAY have an easily corrected cancellation problem.

Anthem recommends using the FM Source set to the noise between stations. Adjust Phase to get maximum bass from that. I like to use the typical, pink noise, bass Phase test tone found on calibration discs. Phase cancellation will happen in the vicinity of the crossover frequencies, so what you are listening for is the Phase setting that produces the maximum bass, but by listening most closely to the portion of the noise tone near those frequencies. For the FM hiss that will be the low end of that hiss. For a disc pink noise test it will be more towards the high end of that pink noise.

Once you've got your room corrected via ARC, another good double check is a bass phase sweep test such as on the AIX audio calibration Blu-ray. That sends a tone to the fronts that sweeps back and forth across the crossover frequencies. At the low end, the crossover will be sending that tone to the sub. At the high end to the fronts. In between there is a mix. If Phase *AND* your room bass correction are both right, then you will hear the same volume across the range of that sweep.

Adjusting Phase just takes some concentration using simple noise tests. Sneak up on the correct setting from both sides, and periodically switch to the "wrong" setting (180 degrees away) to confirm what you think you are hearing as the improvement in the right setting.
--Bob

I would not recommend this. Odds are you won't be able to repeat the speaker position and angle accurately enough when you move them. And ARC only has one set of speaker distance settings to work with for both Movie and Music solutions.
--Bob

I am attaching pictures of two possible locations for my center channel on my entertainment center. The first picture showing it all the way at the front is where it was when I ran ARC yesterday. The second picture is where I am going to place it and then see if makes a difference when I run ARC.

Questions were asked about my sub settings. The sub phase is set at 180 and the crossover is all the way up at 150hz.

I adjusted the sub settings on my Tritontwos as well. It was at a 12:00 and now I have dropped it down around the 9:00 mark.

Those candles have been removed as well...

This is a good example of where to use the quick measure feature in ARC. Try both and see which is better looking (or post them here) and then do a full measure and upload.

If your sub is in the front of the room set phase to 0 not 180. If at the rear probably leave at 180.

The sub is actually about halfway between the front speakers and the couch off to the side.

Hi Coach, I am not familiar with your speakers and I have copied the specs from the web site, to be honest, I would not expect too much from a center channel speaker that weighs 7 pounds, however, I have heard good things about Golden Ear products, perhaps I am missing something.

SuperSat 50 Specifications
Dimensions 27" H (W) x 4.75" W (H) x 2.5" D
Weight 7 lbs (product) / 8 lbs (shipping)
Frequency Response 60 Hz - 35 kHz
Efficiency 92 dB
Nominal Impedance Compatible with 8 ohms

I think the 120hz x-over that ARC set may be the result of what the center is actually capable of producing in your room.

Cheers

Excellent, thanks very much.

[quote=JetJockey1;21203149]Hi Coach, I am not familiar with your speakers and I have copied the specs from the web site, to be honest, I would not expect too much from a center channel speaker that weighs 7 pounds, however, I have heard good things about Golden Ear products, perhaps I am missing something.

SuperSat 50 Specifications
Dimensions 27" H (W) x 4.75" W (H) x 2.5" D
Weight 7 lbs (product) / 8 lbs (shipping)
Frequency Response 60 Hz - 35 kHz
Efficiency 92 dB
Nominal Impedance Compatible with 8 ohms

I think the 120hz x-over that ARC set may be the result of what the center is actually capable of producing in your room.

Cheers[/QUO

I was actually pretty impressed with what I heard out of it, considering the size but I am starting to miss my old center. The front speakers do have some real potential to shine if I can dial them in.

My room isn't the best when it comes to home theater due to all the reflections and decor....

Here are my graphs after making the adjustments listed above.

-Turned down the level on the front speaker sub controls.
-Moved the center back

Thank you.

When measuring my system with REW V5 to control what ARC actually have done, I get the results which is presented in the enclosed graphs.
ARC is measured both on and off.

Is the ARC-system capable of more "correction" ?

It's getting there. You can see you still have quite a bit of bass energy from your LF and RF speakers. ARC has done a pretty good job as it's easy for it do apply cuts. Looks like you could turn down the bass a bit more. The LF still has a few wiggles in the corrected curve. It appears from your photos that you have them away from the walls and perhaps don't have a lot more room to move. Is this with the screen down and you've moved them closer to the side walls?

The center is still a problem. It rolls off starting at about 200hz which is way too high and probably ARC has set a cutoff at 120 (You have to post your targets window).

Your sub isn't very strong either. you said you've removed filters so it appears that it just doesn't have enough to produce a great low end at volume. Moving it from the center of the wall to a corner might help it some.