"Official" Audyssey thread (FAQ in post #1) - Page 2005

Originally Posted by asere 

From what I read I would also need to buy an adapter to place the Audyssey mic on right?

Originally Posted by kbarnes701 

I’d agree with you in general SoM, but the OP has posted that the difference came about only as a result of using the boom stand instead of the tripod. He mentions no other setup changes. There may be some small differences in mic placement, but by the same token that one can argue that stand vs tripod cannot make 'dramatic' differences, so one can argue that small differences in mic placement cannot either. The OP describes the difference as 'dramatic' and this is of course an entirely subjective term and I would normally raise an eyebrow at it too. But when he also says that in the prior calibration he needed subtitles to understand certain dialogue and now he does not, then I'd say that this falls into the 'dramatic difference' camp

It is possible that the tripod was being badly used - indeed this is the main problem with using a tripod: it is not designed for the purpose under discussion so misuse is easy. And it is possible that the boom mic stand can be misused too, but it less likely to be so. And because a mic stand has been designed to hold a mic, its designers have taken steps to ensure that it does this without introducing problems caused by vibrations, mic mounting and so on. For this reason, all boom stands are essentially similar in design and do not have huge, thick legs like some tripods do, or large reflective heads under the mic, like some tripods do. I can change a tyre on my road bike using two spoons. Usually this would work. Sometimes it will rip the inner tube. A set of tyre levers costs next to nothing and gives a perfect result every time. Why would I defend the use of spoons?  Yes, they can do the job. After a fashion. Ans imperfectly sometimes. But really...

It seems, as as often been so in the case of some members' recent posts, that a large mountain is being made out of a very small molehill. The only sensible advice is that one should always use a mic stand for best results if possible. A tripod can be a useful makeshift device but it is not the proper device to use. By using a mic stand one eliminates yet another variable and this can only be good. 

And, for most of us, they cost 20 bucks!  What is there to even discuss, really?

Originally Posted by nezff 

I noticed something very unusual. This has been discussed and discussed. I have run Audyssey XT32 multiple times with my Onkyo and never got this error. I also ran my first calibration with the Denon the other day and not received this error either. I got a phase error on my center channel. Im assuming it is the room tricking Audyssey, mainly because all my other speakers are all identical in xover build. None of my other speakers exhibiting this error on first measurement.

Im coming from a Onkyo 5508 to the Denon 4520CI. Like I said, have run multiple calibrations with xt32 without ever seeing this error before.

Originally Posted by audiofan1 


Ok! I'll byte I ordered a boom mic stand and the attachment as well and I'll post my findings when I run my calibration again, being I have what I consider a good one this should be interesting, and to be completely honest I have sever case of the "tweaks "and I hear its spread like wild fire through the Audyssey thread but its to late for me save yourself Besides my OCD wont leave me alone

Originally Posted by kbarnes701 

 The worst that can happen is that there is no audible difference but at least you will find it much easier to take the measurements. 

You also ordered the little gizmo you need to attach the Audyssey mic to the stand, right?

Use this to attach your Audyssey mic to your stand

Originally Posted by JasonT35 

I guess I'm having trouble understanding where to place the boom mic stand. If I place it in front of the couch, it's in the way of the l/c/r. If I put it behind the couch it's in the way of the side and rear surrounds. I can't put it off to the side due to furniture and the fact that the boom won't reach.

Any tips?

Originally Posted by JasonT35 

I guess I'm having trouble understanding where to place the boom mic stand. If I place it in front of the couch, it's in the way of the l/c/r. If I put it behind the couch it's in the way of the side and rear surrounds. I can't put it off to the side due to furniture and the fact that the boom won't reach.

Any tips?

Originally Posted by Selden Ball 

Boom mic stands are very thin and don't cause any appreciable calibration problems. It's not like they're constructed of large foam blocks like sofa cushions.

Originally Posted by asere 

From what I read I would also need to buy an adapter to place the Audyssey mic on right?

Originally Posted by audiofan1 


Yeah! I got the gizmo as well any tips for the MLP use the stand from behind or side or front?

Originally Posted by kbarnes701 


If you can set up the stand behind the seats then that is the best way to do it. The aim is to keep the stand from getting between the mic and any speaker (tweeter especially).

Originally Posted by kbarnes701 

Odd - but I suspect you can safely ignore it if you are sure there is no basis for it:

b)1.   Why is Audyssey reporting that my speakers are out of phase?

Originally Posted by Holiday121 

I re ran my audyssey again using my boom stand on my 818 still producing low center channel dialogue.

Here are some pics of the final results

Originally Posted by djbluemax1 

The problem with the regular mic stand is

A) if you have rear surrounds, a regular mic stand behind the couch will potentially get in the way and/or be a potential source for reflections
B) the boom likely won't extend far enough to take the forward measurements in the conventional mic pattern.

The low profile mic stand solves the issue by having the main body much lower and out of the way, with the boom extended upwards to place the mic in position. It easily positions the mic at ear height in the MLP without getting in the way of any of the speakers, and can easily placed for all the other measurements as well.

Spoons and tire levers.


Max

Originally Posted by nezff 


I checked the center channel with a multimeter set to continuity to make sure my speaker cable was shorting. I know that all my speakers have the same xover design and wiring. What is weird is that none of the other speakers are giving me this issue. I got a continuity tone when I touched the positive and negative speaker terminals, which tells me the xovers are wired this way. Im just assuming reflections on the center channels is the problem. It is inside of a cabinet which might cause the Denon to pick this up. Weird that I have run multiple calibrations with the 5508 and never go this error.

Originally Posted by JasonT35 

I guess I'm having trouble understanding where to place the boom mic stand. If I place it in front of the couch, it's in the way of the l/c/r. If I put it behind the couch it's in the way of the side and rear surrounds. I can't put it off to the side due to furniture and the fact that the boom won't reach. Any tips?

Originally Posted by djbluemax1 

...The low profile stand allows the main body of the stand to be out of the way of all speakers (unless perhaps, if your center channel is sitting right on the floor).Max

Originally Posted by SoundofMind 



Yup like I mentioned about a page ago, this one or the slightly more expensive black finish version.
http://www.amazon.com/Stage-Rocker-Hamilton-SR610121B-Lo-Profile/dp/B0087UPZ1Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361872499&sr=8-1&keywords=low+profile+mic+stand

Originally Posted by djbluemax1 

Don't have any personal experience with those particular stands but IF the boom can extend far enough, those would be a GREAT buy.

The reason I emphasized the 'IF' is because I've seen several low profile stands where the boom doesn't extend very far. They're only made for mic'ing kick drums.

This is the one I have
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/dr-pro-dr259-ms1500bk-low-profile-mic-boom-stand

As can be seen in the photo, the boom has 3 sections, allowing it to be extended long enough to place the mic where your ears would be at the MLP, with the base/body sitting on the ground in front of the seat. With some of the low profile mics that can't extend far enough, placing the stand on the ground in front of the seat would only get the mic to the bellybutton of a person in the seat. As I said though, if you personally own or have used the stands in your links and have confirmed that they can extend far enough, they would be a GREAT buy. ***edited to add* Never mind. The stands you linked to are EXACTLY what I described as NOT to get. I read the description and the boom is not extendable and is only 15.75" long. Between that and the fact that the base has a maximum height of 17.75" means it would only reach the bellybutton of a very fat person in the seat if the stand was placed on the ground. No way it will reach ear height unless it's placed on the seat itself.

The Dr Pro DR259 stand I have (and provided a link to) has a height range of 9-17" and a boom range of 19" - 31".



Max

P.S. Not sure about the quality, but this stand at this price appears to be a steal.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=233-020

Height range of 19.5" - 27.5" and a boom range of 17.75" - 32.5". The dimensions are even better than the one I have as the extra height allows for seating with thicker cushions AND it's under $20 vs ~$50.

Originally Posted by nezff 


I checked the center channel with a multimeter set to continuity to make sure my speaker cable was shorting. I know that all my speakers have the same xover design and wiring. What is weird is that none of the other speakers are giving me this issue. I got a continuity tone when I touched the positive and negative speaker terminals, which tells me the xovers are wired this way. Im just assuming reflections on the center channels is the problem. It is inside of a cabinet which might cause the Denon to pick this up. Weird that I have run multiple calibrations with the 5508 and never go this error.

Originally Posted by djbluemax1 

... I've seen several low profile stands where the boom doesn't extend very far. They're only made for mic'ing kick drums...

Originally Posted by batpig 


Didn't someone (Markus?) find that the newer Onkyos do NOT EVER report polarity errors? I seem to remember people intentionally flipping the speaker wire polarity and the Onks still didn't report an error.