Yamaha Adaptive DRC vs. Dolby Volume, Audessey Dynamic Volume/EQ, THX Loudness Plus.

Using both from time to time and I find that there is not much of a difference. The best one seems to be Dolby Volume that is found on the H/k's. No experience with it though as I've never used it. From reading though it does seem to be the one that does what it's supposed to do. If you prefer the Yamah brand and seem to be familiar with them you may want to stick to one of them. It is a brand that does seem to me anyway, to be the most reliable and trouble free. Always work and no surprises from them in my experience with them.

I have used both THX Loudness Plus and Dynamic EQ on my last two Onkyos (1007 and 3008). I prefer Loudness Plus for movies. Dynamic EQ is not bad, but it does have some parameters buried in the menu to adjust how agressive it is.

Dynamic EQ default setting is 0dB (recommended for movies), but I found when using that setting on some films the bass becomes overpowering and it muddies the dialog. THX Loudness Plus seemed to produce more pleasing results across multiple movie soundtracks. I don't know if Loudness Plus is doing more advanced analysis of the track and volume setting to adjust its curve or if the Loudness Plus curve is less aggressive than the Dynamic EQ curve with its default setting.

I also believe the Onkyo 3008/5008 have Dolby Volume as well but Dolby Volume is not a dynamic EQ application like the others mentioned. Dolby Volume is a volume normalizer.

Dolby Volume does do eq: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...ology-review/1

"Dolby explained that it's not just about flat-lining everything, instead it keeps the dynamic range of the audio by modulating the EQ to enhance the bass and fine detail, rather than just leaving you listening to the mid-tones only."

Dolby Volume uses both a "Volume Modeler" to EQ and a "Volume Leveler" to control dynamic range. Think of it as Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume combined. You can use Dolby Volume "Modeler" with or without the "Leveler" engaged.

From what I've gathered, it seems Dolby Volume is the best option available. Problem is, it's only available on HK AVR's (which lack alot of features compared to the competition) or more expensive AVR's such as the higher end Onkyo, Integra, and I believe, Anthem receivers.

Dolby Volume is far and away the best..
But significant DSP resources are required os the AVR needs to have enough memory and DSP mips..
Especially if also processing an HD audio stream such as DTS Master Audio..

Just my $0.02...

probably because of:

That's correct, the Anthem has it, with mixed reviews on its performance which is why it now defaults to off. My own impression is that it works well, but is too much when set to level 10 (the old default). Having never used Audyssey's dynamic eq and volume, I would bet they have an advantage here because the level (which is set manually with dolby) could be set automatically during Audyssey's calibration. That's just my speculation, though, and it's not difficult to adjust the Dolby implementation regardless. Anthem's implementation sets the Dolby reference level when using ARC, but the amount of Dolby Volume leveler is still set manually, to preference. (Like I said, no big deal, easy to adjust, and it works well once set to preference.)

Why would they include it if they already have something similar? I would bet that if you asked them, Audyssey would say their Dynamic EQ/Volume is every bit as good. You are assuming that it's a fact that Dolby Volume is better.

Researching the Internet and finding that "the majority of members" "seem to favor Dolby Volume" using does not mean much. That's hardly evidence that it's a superior system.

I believe Audyssey MultEQ is a far superior calibration system than you find in Pioneer's MCACC or Yamaha YPAO. And Audyssey Dynamic EQ/Volume works very well too.

So I don't see any reason for Marantz or Denon to dump Audyssey and use a competing system when what they have works very well for them. I would say that if you emailed Audyssey and ask them, they will probably tell you why you should choose their system over competing systems.

The Denon 4311 has both Dynamic Eq/vol and Dolby Volume so you could have the best of both worlds.

Having heard them all, I feel Dolby Volume does the best job closely followed by Audyssey. Adaptive DRC does not hold a candle to either of these IMO.