Denon Room EQ

[Big Dub Sounds]

Recently I've upgraded my 2.1 system to a 5.1 system. Really impressed so far after making a few adjustments. I have the Denon AVR S510 Receiver, this receiver has a room EQ on/off setting. What exactly does the room EQ do and do you recommend using it? What I've noticed is it makes things sound a bit 'cleaner' even if it's less boomy/powerful. I like that for movies and TV but for music it seems to sound better with it off.

 

[lovinthehd]

The Audyssey setup is a nice way to go to at least set delays/levels, and whether the eq curves for music vs movies works for you is simply preference.

Are your speakers set to small? What crossover are you using? Did you turn off Dynamic Volume? Are you using DynamicEQ? If you're using Dynamic EQ for music did you adjust the Reference Level Offset (RLO)?

Room eq overall is to achieve a relatively flat response (for movies it actually turns down the high end a bit) from your speakers in your room since the room is a large component of what you hear from your speakers....

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

I have all my speakers set to small with the R and L crossover at 80, the center crossover at 90, the surrounds at 80, and the LFE at 120. For both music and movies I have dynamic compression off.

I agree the Audyssey is a great place to start but I also feel minor tweaking to preference may also be required. My room is also not ideal as I have an open floor plan so my living room opens to other areas of the house. Overall the sound is good but for some reason music seems to have a bit more life with the EQ off.

 

[lovinthehd]

You're not alone, although personally I use Audyssey for music for the most part, but there's quite a few who share your sentiment per posts in this and other audio forums. Try playing a bit with the dynamic EQ, with RLO for music at -10 or -15. Tweaking speaker position may help, too. Big open spaces usually impact your sub particularly; I've got a pretty big space to fill and find multiple large subs helps a lot.

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

Thanks a lot, appreciate the help. Do you know where I would find that in the settings?

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks a lot, appreciate the help. Do you know where I would find that in the settings?

I thought all the Denon avrs used Audyssey, apparently not so with your model, so you don't have those features I'm referring to. I think you'd probably like Dynamic EQ and the adjustments for RLO, though. You have some basic Denon eq which I'm not familiar with, but is likely very limited compared to Audyssey.

 

[PENG]

What exactly does the room EQ do and do you recommend using it? What I've noticed is it makes things sound a bit 'cleaner' even if it's less boomy/powerful. I like that for movies and TV but for music it seems to sound better with it off.

Room EQ is supposed to optimize the sound for your system in your room. The 510 likely has a very basic one that is not even by Audyssey. If you find the bass less boomy then it is a good sign. A lot of people like the bass a few dB louder so you can try increasing the subwoofer volume a little to your own preference.

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

Thanks guys, really appreciate it. I've increased the sub a bit and turned the room eq back on and the music is sounding really clean yet powerful. Another question, is it better to set the crossover frequency right at the lowest point of the speaker range or a bit above? I've seen both theories out there.

 

[PENG]

Thanks guys, really appreciate it. I've increased the sub a bit and turned the room eq back on and the music is sounding really clean yet powerful. Another question, is it better to set the crossover frequency right at the lowest point of the speaker range or a bit above? I've seen both theories out there.

It depends on the speaker's low frequency response and impedance characteristics, among other things. It might help to get a more specific answer if you can provide more info about your speakers.

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

I am using the Polk RM 302 speaker. I've seen 3 theories out there, one is to set all frequencies at 80, another says the lowest point of your speaker range, and another says about 20 higher than the lowest of your speaker range.

 

[lovinthehd]

Can also depend somewhat on the range of the sub, not just the speakers. What sub?

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

Its the PSW10 sub. It could just be a matter of personal preference.

 

[lovinthehd]

Its the PSW10 sub. It could just be a matter of personal preference.

Absolutely, personal preference usually wins out

What I meant was that the f3 point of your speakers is one consideration, but the upper frequency response of your sub can come into play if that f3 point is rather high as in the case of small sats like yours....the f3 of your 302 center is 90hz according to your manual. What are the L/R speakers?

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

According to the manual 90 is also the range of my fronts, so its a matter of setting it at 80 (a general point to start), 90, or 110.

Personally I just don't like the sound of hearing the sub when a normal person is speaking. The flip side of course is setting the crossover higher can make voices sound crisper out of the speakers.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yep, a balancing act with what you have. Looks like the upper range of the sub extends to 160hz. I'd set at higher than the f3, 110 would be my starting point....(I cross my speakers with f3 in the 40s at 120 fwiw but have no localization issues with multiple subs).

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

I'll give 110 a shot and let you know how that sounds. Not sure it'll make much of a difference with TV and Movies but the upper bass frequencies in music may now come out of the sub instead of the speakers.

What would you say is the advantage of setting the crossover so high?

 

[lovinthehd]

I'll give 110 a shot and let you know how that sounds. Not sure it'll make much of a difference with TV and Movies but the upper bass frequencies in music may now come out of the sub instead of the speakers.

What would you say is the advantage of setting the crossover so high?

In my case, my subs are much more capable in the lower frequencies than my speakers, and also do well up to 300-400 hz. What do you think in your case, are your speakers more capable of 80-110hz or is your sub?

 

[Big Dub Sounds]

Thanks guys 110 seems to be the sweet spot for the center. One other question for Dolby digital or DTS HD is it true that all dialogue comes out of the center? If so what comes out of the fronts?

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd say its more that generally dialog is center channel, but depends on the mix, but dialog may come from L/R as well as SFX and music etc....