Definitive Owners Thread - Page 769

i found out something about Audyssey recently for people who like to run their speakers large. if you're using the newest Audyssey MultEQ® XT32, Audyssey will EQ the full-range of frequencies from the top all the way down into the bass on every channel set to "large"

the way i found out is i emailed Audyssey and asked them if Audyssey EQ's all the frequencies on channels set to "large"

bump, please


I'm getting ready to purchase the BP8040ST system and have been looking at receivers. The Yamaha RX-A2000, Cambridge Azur 650r, Marantz SR7005 and the Anthem MRX700. Since I can purchase these units within 50 miles of my location I was looking for suggestions from the Def Tech BP knowledgeable users on the forum on how these receivers would stack up with the BP8040 speaker system as far as sound, warm, bright neutral comparison.

CD Player Marantz 5004, Blue Ray OPPO 93. Sony 60".
65% TV 35% music. 2800 sq ft. Hardwood floors with large rug.

i got a new toy. i go to a lot of organ concerts and bought a little stereo digital recorder with built in dual mics to record the concerts

to test it out i recorded my favorite pipe organ CD track off my def techs

this is just my towers & center, my external subs are not hooked up at the moment. i just laid the recorder down on the top of my listening chair facing forward

for reference all channels are set to large, subwoofers set to none. i used what is called "seven channel stereo" with all tone controls defeated. i believe this sends a stereo signal to the mains, a stereo signal to the surrounds and a mono signal to the center and since my set-up is 6.1 it probably sends a mono signal to the rear center

all you're hearing here is 5 bp2000s 2 bp30s and a clr3000 all set to large with no extra subs turned on

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vi5zyx

I believe you have not gotten a response because no one on here has experience with all the receivers you listed. Maybe you could ask this question on the receiver thread as far as the sound characteristics of the various manufacturers. I used to drive my dt's with a yamaha receiver and they sounded good together. I would say it was slightly on the bright side.

Mav52,
Concur with what g-bartman said above,

I'm sure an owner of each is out there yet quite difficult to find all in one place to comment etc.

I can only add that I have been a Yamaha guy for many many years dating back into the early 90s, prior to my first DT purchase. I did dabble a bit with Denon and Pioneer yet always liked the Yamaha with the DTs.

I'm sure an RX-A2000 would sound great with the 8040s not to mention play nicely with the OPPO 93 (from what I have read). Overall, the new Yamaha "A" series receivers have gotten positive reviews.

I run an the older Yamaha RX-Z11 in the HT and regardless of HDMI 1.4/3D I have absolutely zero desire to upgrade/change. I still use an even older Yamaha DSP-A1 in the living room with DTs as well. Love the combo in both rooms.

Don't get me wrong, your other mentions are probably equal and would sound great as well. But Yamaha is all I can vouch for. :-)

Cheers

Sorry guys, the last 24 hrs was spent dickering in my other hobby - Corvettes - and all their glory

I have been through so many setups on the Yammy that I honestly have no idea - sad, I know - so tomorrow I'll delve into it and get an answer on this. I think it's set to small so the LFE will work, if I remember the fine print the in manual?

Off topic...tonight's a big night around here, SOULIVE is playing Live at the State Theater. Some of the best low-down funk in the world - I'm not kidding! Last time they came, we all paid in advance and the entire show was delivered to us on red-label cd's 20 min afterwards! It's still one of the best live discs in my collection - you can't beat coming straight from the soundboard - hope it happens tonight too! L8R

if you still have that manual and could scan it. that would be a great resource for the thread

Thank you KJ and g-bart

I'm sure any of those options would work well with the 8040's, although I'm not at all familiar with the Cambridge.

I would also suggest reading the threads in this forum that are specific to these receivers.

With respect to room correction, the Yamaha uses their proprietary YPAO which some find lacking compared to Audyssey.

The Anthem uses ARC which gets stellar reviews, but requires a laptop and software for setup, and a little more effort by the user. But apparently, the results are excellent. The Anthem is a little pricey.

The Marantz is basically a Denon (D&M Holdings own both the Denon and Marantz brands). and uses Audyssey room correction, but it has the older XT version of Audyssey. There is nothing wrong with the XT version, that is what I have and I like it a lot, but the newer XT32 has many improvements.

I would also suggest looking at the Onkyo 3008 which is highly regarded (I have the 3007) and has the latest Audyssey MultEQ XT32.

I really like my Onkyo 3007. It has a lot of flexibility, and Audyssey makes my Def Techs sound better than ever. I would love to have MultEQ XT32, but that will have to wait awhile.

You can pick up a 3008 from Newegg on weekends for $1149.

Again, read through the receiver threads and decide what features you want.

The BP8040ST's are very efficient, so any of the receivers that you listed will drive them fine.

just downloaded this otk...

still early easter morn...won't be able to play til later

can't wait to check it out...

^^^

just got a chance to listen to this...

pretty darned impressive...that's a pretty cool toy indeed

makes me want to go find some more organ music!


like to have heard that with your subs on...

As I explained, room is more or less square shaped with a 2 story ceiling nd open on 2 sides with the other 2 walls being open.

Current setup is good, just maybe needs a little more center channel from the mythos seven.
I like the bp6's especially the bipolar effect of those and the rear DI ones as well.

Mythos xtr 50 and especially 60's shoukd be a marked improvement over the bp6's despite the mythos xtr's not being bipolar and definstely an upgrade for center.

Since i dont currently notice the high front R&L DIsappearing Inwalls, and with the xtr60's being plemty of front R&L, I wonder if I couldnt use the high fronts as surrounds? Or would thst just be a mess soundwise.

Could plug those in as side surrounds of a 7.1 setup.

Maybe change thrm to the same bipolar DI's thhst are in the rear (thry look the same but the ones up front are made for lcr while the bp di's in back are made for surrounds)

Dont really want to chsnge out the in walls though even kf to the same size and shape DI's but just the bp surround ones so maybe csn just see how it sounds plugging those high front r&l as side surrounds.

The best woukd be the xtr20 bipolwr surrounds but those are a black on wall speaker not like my current DT white (disappearing) in walls.

Probably going to just go with 3 mythos xtr 60's for LCR, so i dont ever have to upgrade those again a d will see now the high front R& L DI's as side surrounds. And if it works and sounds good just get 2 more of thr bp surroind DI's thst are in the back. That way no alteration woukd need to be made to the existing cutout in wall as my bp di rear surrounds seem to be the same size and shape as my DI high front R&L's.

Will be a little weird with side surrounds up front high instead of on the side but i reslly wont them as additional high front right and left with booming xtr 60's down lower but will miss the bp effect of the bp6's so either the xtr20 bp surrounds or another psir of the bp DI's i habe in the rear, in thr high fronts might be cool.

I used to have a 6.1 in wall setup wuth all surrounds in the back and a 7.1 setup mostly the same in L or V shape oattern due to cor er plwced tv snd L shaoed sectional.
Who says you cant have side surrounds placed high up the wall up front. If I do switch them to surrounds with the bp feature, that will help spread the sounds to the sides.

Especially tge on wall mythos xtr 20's. Would just need to paint them white probably to more match the rear disappearing in walls. The mythos xtr 20's are thin i guess like the rest of the xtr line but still on wall, not in. though as surrounds placed high up the wall up front (obviously very untraditional) maybe being on wall and bipolar that will actually help make them work better as surrounds?

I'll probably deal with that later and ask my audio place during next instsll/setup but if im pretty set on upgrading my LCR from a mythos 7 center and 2 bp6's, then whether to make the high front r&l di's plugged in as side surrounds instead of as additional front r&l's as they are currently setup as (integra receiver can do 4 R&L's up front) is the main question I have now.

And if that would work, what surround speskers would be best to change those high front r&l di's to mske them surrounds? Same bp surround di's to match the high (and only) rear 2 in the back? Or mythos xtr20 (on wall) to go with xtr 50 and/or 60's up front?

You can not have side surrounds in the front. That's why they are called side the go on the side....the planning and effects the put out would be a mess if in the front. Get a 9.2 or 11.2 and run them as wide or high

otk,

What model of recorder did you use on this recording? It sounds pretty damn good!

Ok guys, thanks for your patience...I went through the setup last night and as I suspected...
---------------------------
Front is set to SML

LFE/Bass is set to SWFR (with FRT & BOTH as options)

CRSVR is set to 90hz

SWFR Phase normal

CENTER is set LRG

SRND L/R set to SML (BP2x)
-----------------------------

Are there "holes" anywhere here?

This explains why Pure Direct has no bass, right?

I think I'm starting to understand the differences here...specifically, since I listen to such a variety of different sources (old CD's, new CD's, Cassettes, DVD's, DVD-A, LP's, Pandora, MP3's) I am delighted to be able to play with the sub output remotely, and not have to fiddle with the knobs in the back. I simply remember where YPAO set it and my room correction is good for HT.

I am still a little confused by this efficiency thing. Doesn't this setup FORCE all the power to come from the Subs and therofore ease the burden on the Amp? I mean, those 18" subs have GOT to be putting a strain on those tiny caps, right? Isn't that the primary purpose of the LFE in/outs? More than thinking of these as separate subs, I've always thought of them as having separate amps, and as such, using them accordingly. I'm being silly, but you wouldn't run speaker wire to your Rotels

Maybe I'm imagining things, but it sure seems like the Amp is running much cooler (after heavy sessions) without having to power the subs.

Cooling is an issue for me, since I have the Yamaha in an enclosed space to protect from the dust (fried my last AVR). The space is well ventilated though, with big cutouts and electric fans running.

BTW, the SOULIVE gig did provide live discs at the end of the show, but they were so badly distorted with recording levels that its unplayable Not sure how to get this one straightened out...

I am looking for a used 2500 center channel. Anyone have one to sell or know where I can find one?

Thanks!

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/ele/2308041889.html

Figured wouldn't hurt to share. I have no idea who this is. Just one I noticed while checking the towns I frequent on business trips etc.

Did you say you've got all the jumpers on the binding post on the back of speakers?

[quote=funkandgroove;20352940]Ok guys, thanks for your patience...I went through the setup last night and as I suspected...
---------------------------
Front is set to SML

LFE/Bass is set to SWFR (with FRT & BOTH as options)

CRSVR is set to 90hz

SWFR Phase normal

CENTER is set LRG

SRND L/R set to SML (BP2x)
-----------------------------

Are there "holes" anywhere here?

This explains why Pure Direct has no bass, right?

QUOTE]

OTK may know for sure yet I believe the 6.5 inch driver DT's internal crossover is at 80Hz? Thus at a receiver setting of 90Hz you are cutting 80-90Hz from your mids and sending to the sub. I would definitely try both 80 or 60Hz settings in your AVR. I have all of my BP2000s set to small/60Hz - I could not hear the diff between 60 and 80Hz etc.

I would also try your center set to small/40hz. That can help with easing the burden on the AVR center amp - and that would be about the performance limit of the built in sub regardless.

If you can set the rear surrounds/BP2X's I would choose 60Hz on them as well.

As for the "direct" mode. Yep, it typically only provides left and right amp signals. Nothing from the AVR LFE/Sub out jacks. Try selecting "BOTH" vice SWFR to see if that will facilitate. It may yet you would only want that for your 2 channel listening. Switch back to SWFR for HT.


Like you, I (and many others Ive read) do feel utilizing the AVR sub outs (or amp pre-outs) to the DT LFE inputs does eliminate some of the load from the AVR amps.. And yes, I too think of them as separate "amps" in the DT towers.
My theater is actually wired with five RCA/cable runs to each of my BP2000s as well as CLR3000, and two others center room on either side. The center run is not connected to the receiver yet and the four BP2000 runs are "Y'ed" at the AVR and connected to the Z11 Left/Right LFE outs. If I do build two dedicated subs this summer all five RCAs will go to the Z11 amp pre-outs for each applicable channel. Then the new left/right dedicated sub runs will take over the LFE out jacks etc.

I bet your room sounds great!

Cheers

He mentioned it/they were removed a page or so back. No bass when in Pure Direct mode would indicate it as well. However, running both would negate the reason for running the LFE/RCA cables etc.

hey Blasst, it's the Zoom H1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QKBVYK

About to get my first Def Tech speakers. I posted last week I was thinking about getting BP-6s for mains and SM-350s for surrounds. Since then I have started to consider BP-10s and SM-450 surrounds. My concern is the SM-450 will look too large for the stands I have, and they seem a bit bulky for wall mounting. Is anyone running SM-450s for surrounds, and do you have them wall mounted or on stands (which stands)? Would I be fine with SM-350s as surrounds paired with the BP-10 mains? SM-350s would not stick out as far from the side wall and (IMO) would look better as surrounds. Question is how much would the sound suffer? I am over-thinking the aesthetic factor?

Appreciate your opinions.

Troy

I use 450's as height speakers. They are wall mounted directly above my main l/r speakers. I went with them because they use the same drivers (6.5") as my mains. I suppose the 350's would be fine with the 10's. Aesthetics should come into consideration if your system is in a livingroom type area. All my stuff is in the basement so it was not a consideration.

i love the glow of that McIntosh amp

i will have that glow one day damn it

I was at my friend's uncles house in about '74. He had a full mac setup. He saw me admiring his equipment and gave me a nice demo. I was 14 at the time and was already a big music fan. He fired it up and my jaw hit the floor. This may sound corney but I swore that day I would someday own one of those cool looking amps with the blue meters on the front. Now if I could just get my hands on a pair of Martin Logan statement e2's

As the "hollow-state" ham radio afficianados say, "If it don't glow, it ain't radio!"

jim

Thanks for the reply and for the nice pic. Mine is a dedicated theater room. Your 450's look good, but when they're in the front like yours are I don't really see how far they stick out. At almost 12" depth on the 450's I think they will not look good as side surrounds. But I don't know for sure. Maybe I'm being too picky. Anybody else running 450's as side surrounds? Another possibility for me is a set of BP2X's. They have 5.25" drivers like the SM350's but only 6" depth so will not protrude so far from the side wall. Any opinions on the BP2X's? Will the BP2X's integrate well with BP10 mains?

Thanks in advance,
Troy

I'm running 4 bp 1.2x with my bp2002TL's and they blend pretty well even with a slightly smaller driver.

Thanks for your reply. I went ahead with ordering the BP2X pair. Seems these are discontinued? but I was able to find a pair used in good condition.

So now my 5.1 setup is going to be...

BP10 mains
C/L/R 2002 center
BP2X surrounds
Epik Legend sub

AVR is Pioneer 1120K. Can't wait to get it all set up!

I used to have 2x's, I think they would serve you well. Much less obtrusive as side surrounds than the 450's