My AVR-3806 Audyssey experience! (measurements inside) - Page 14

I've had my 4306 for a week now, and have just compared the Audyssey EQ for the sub frequencies to the what I previously was getting with my Yam 2095 and a BFD. For my setup, there is no doubt that the 4306 w/ Audyssey is doing as good, if not better, as the Yam 2095 w/BFD. Here are the results:

4306 w/EQ on: 28Hz-140Hz, +/-4 dB
2095 w/BFD: 28Hz-140Hz, +/- 7dB

The two are actually fairly similar below 80Hz, the biggest difference between is in the region between 80Hz-140Hz, where I assume the Audyssey is doing more than just sub correction, here are the results:

4306 w/EQ on: 80Hz-140Hz, +/-3 dB
2095 w/BFD: 80Hz-140Hz, +/- 6 dB

I'm using the crossovers recommended by Audyssey, which are:
60 Hz - Mains
80 Hz - Center
100 Hz - Surrounds

I've also checked all of the levels with Avia HT Setup Disk, and all of the channel levels are spot on.

One other interesting thing the Audyssey did, when I was looking at the response curves in the Graphic EQ, they were set for the most part +/- 2 dB of flat, with the exception of the 500Hz-1kHz region, here there was a -5dB cut for both the L & R speakers. I looked up the speaker's response curve (Norh 6.9 SM), and they have a 5dB peak starting at 500Hz and extending past 1kHz. So it looks like Audyssey is doing a good job of flattening out the sound field for a uniform response.

I realize not everyone has had similar experiences with Audyssey, but for me it is working about as good as could be expected. So far I like the results of having it engaged.

The two are actually fairly similar below 80Hz, the biggest difference between is in the region between 80Hz-140Hz, where I assume the Audyssey is doing more than just sub correction, ..................

Originally Posted by Ruin

Not saying that it is or is not working correctly, but something that few people seem to take into account is that Audyssey can not/does not take into account individual tastes, and individual differences in hearing.

If you use the flat curve, and Audyssey is tyring to achieve a flat frequency response, but you happen to like a non-flat curve, then you won't like the sound. Also, some of the "wacked out" stuff that Audyssey is doing is for room correction. If you read u p on Audyssey you will note that they even SAY that distance measurements may not reflect actual measured distances because they are artificially increasing or decreasing distances as part of the correciton for room accoustics. Throwing a tape measure down and comparing against Audyssey is a waste of time. If all Audyssey did was simulate a tape measure and an SPL meter it would not be worth it.

personally, being in the over 40 crowd, I expect that I have some personal roll off of the high end, so I don't want the Audyssey curve, nor do I care for what THX processing does to the high end, so I use the audyssey flat curve (which has audyssey fully engaged except for NOT rolling off the high end), and I don't use THX processing.

Folks that have "grown up" with the music mixes put out in the last 20 years are used to overblown. over-subed, bass. "true to life" music is going to sound strange to you.

Anyway, enough rambling. All I am trying to say is that if you don't like the results, don't use it. Also, beware of preconcieved notions of what you thing Audyssey should be doing.

Good luck, and good listening!

Ruin

I've found that if I read the instructions carefully and set the bass on my sub crossover to 100 instead of bypass or any other setting, it sounds good.

Originally Posted by psujohny

I must have missed this. Is this true ? I just assumed you would want your sub set to bypass ( before and after eq-ing ). Can others comment on this ...If true, I wonder why this would be the case

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

I do not recall anything about this but, wherever you set your crossover, if you do so before/during Audyssey measurements, the performance will be accounted for.

It's another 'user error' thing that I've encountered. Still, for my ears, I'm not entirely fond to the Audyssey sound. The instruction is on page 10, #1, on the "Turning on the power" section

Originally Posted by psujohny

Maybe this could explain why Audyssey is cutting the 125hz region fairly drastically on my speakers ...Hmm, Im gonna try it with the crossover on the sub set to 100 hz instead of bypass and see if this makes a difference on the 125 hz cuts to my main speakers.

Originally Posted by a_ok2me

I've found that if I read the instructions carefully and set the bass on my sub crossover to 100 instead of bypass or any other setting, it sounds good.

Originally Posted by [SS]Shooter

I turned my gain to 50% and maxxed my bypass to like 140 (or whatever it goes to) during setup. After, I went back to 90 hz or so on the sub and turned the gain to 60%. This really helped Audyssey and now it doesnt lose too much bass, still some is gone at the very bottom.

We need to play with the bypass and gain settings and see if we can't get Audyssey to behave better.

Originally Posted by sethhobrin

Can anyone tell me if the 3806 will do 7.1 LCPM from the PS3 for blue ray? I have heard that the 3806 can only do 5.1 LCPM.

I will be getting 2 more speakers soon and purchasing a new reciever and I am trying to decide between the 2807 and the 3806. I have heard the 3806 sounds better and has better power but want to make sure I get everything I need out of it sound wise for blu ray on a ps3.

Originally Posted by sethhobrin

Question for you guys.

I have Klipsch RF-3 Front channels, Klipsch RC-62 center, Klipsch RS-52 surrounds, Klipsch KDS-1bookshelfs for back surrounds, and just a crappy subwoofer that I plan to replace when I buy a house soon.

I am thinking of getting either a 2807 or a 3806 but I cannot decide. The 3806 has more wattage.

What would you guys suggest? I have an upconverting sony hdmi dvd player, a ps3, a a sony xbr2 1080p TV. Go with the 2807 or the 3806 and why?

this would be replacing a sony str-de985 which has problems outputting sound from blu ray movies.

Question for you guys.

I have Klipsch RF-3 Front channels, Klipsch RC-62 center, Klipsch RS-52 surrounds, Klipsch KDS-1bookshelfs for back surrounds, and just a crappy subwoofer that I plan to replace when I buy a house soon.

I am thinking of getting either a 2807 or a 3806 but I cannot decide. The 3806 has more wattage.

What would you guys suggest? I have an upconverting sony hdmi dvd player, a ps3, a a sony xbr2 1080p TV. Go with the 2807 or the 3806 and why?

this would be replacing a sony str-de985 which has problems outputting sound from blu ray movies

The 3806 does sound slightly better than the 2807 due to the better DACs. I owned the 3805 and tried the 2807 and it didn't sound quite the same. It was close but not the same.

Originally Posted by aaronwt

The 3806 does sound slightly better than the 2807 partially due to the better DACs. I owned the 3805 and tried the 2807 and it didn't sound quite the same. It was close but not the same. The 3806 also has AL24 processing on all channels and the 2807 only has it on the Left and Right front speakers. That might also be a reason for the slightly better sound. If I had never owned the 3805 I would have been perfectly happy with the 2807. But coming from the 3805 the 2807 was a notch below in audio quality so I got a refurb 3806. If I was in the market for a receiver now, I would just wait for the new models. I did loose $250 on the 2807 when I sold it recently but I got the 3806 refurb last year with the intentions of replacing it with one of th enew denons this Summer. I figure I'll get the successor to the 3806 or 4306 depending on what features they offer and the price. But for now the 3806 does a great job creating 7.1 with DPLIIx processing of the 5.1 PCM from the PS3 and the A2.

Also to correct you from what I read the 3806 with the new firmware supports 7.1 PCM not just 5.1 PCM.

Originally Posted by Ruin

Glad to hear that someone other than me likes it a bit.

Ruin