"Trouble" with my Yamaha RX-A2040 sound

[Mark E. Long]

Yes. I just ordered a new YPAO microphone off of Amazon on Friday. It should be here end of this week or early next week.

I set the distances for each speaker last night. I'll mess around with the dB levels, the amp assignment, and the EQ tonight and see what that does.

There very hard to setup without a mic it can be done but ypao does things to sound fields that you or I just can’t calculate room size , surround delays the amount of dsp applied to your room size and a whole list of things you can change. My experience is that most of the settings are way overblown on reverb and echo in about every program. These can not be set without a mic lol I’ve tried . When you get your mic run the 8 point with angle measurements you’ll be pleasantly surprised with your new setup .

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah I'd run YPAO too. The muffled thing I suppose could just point to a defective unit, tho....I've never had such an experience myself.

 

[lovinthehd]

Another thought....is this a new-to-you 2040? Or used it a long time with different results with the previous setup?

 

[}Fear_Inoculum{]

Another thought....is this a new-to-you 2040? Or used it a long time with different results with the previous setup?

No. I've had it since new. But never really played around with it with my old speakers.

@Mark E. Long : the amp assignment was definitely one of the issues. It was set to 'Basic' (whatever that means). So I turned it to 9 channel. Boom. The rear speakers now work for stereo.

I also turned up the dB to various levels on all of the speakers. Then I turned on the Dolby sound modes. At first I thought it was 'fixed' (it definitely sounded better), then my daughter walked into the HT room and (without me even saying anything to her) asked me why it sounded so (her exact word) "muffled". So I turned it to 9 channel stereo, and she looked at me and said "way better".

I'll try playing around with the EQ at some point, and when the YPAO microphone arrives next week I'll run that and see, but for now I have full surround sound using the 9 channel stereo mode and it sounds awesome.

Thanks for all the help troubleshooting guys. Muchly appreciated.

Cheers,

}Fear_Inoculum{

 

[Trebdp83]

Yeah, the amp assign and speaker configurations can be a bit much to take in for sure.

 

[lovinthehd]

Still, comparing two dissimilar things isn't all that helpful....

No. I've had it since new. But never really played around with it with my old speakers.

@Mark E. Long : the amp assignment was definitely one of the issues. It was set to 'Basic' (whatever that means). So I turned it to 9 channel. Boom. The rear speakers now work for stereo.

I also turned up the dB to various levels on all of the speakers. Then I turned on the Dolby sound modes. At first I thought it was 'fixed' (it definitely sounded better), then my daughter walked into the HT room and (without me even saying anything to her) asked me why it sounded so (her exact word) "muffled". So I turned it to 9 channel stereo, and she looked at me and said "way better".

I'll try playing around with the EQ at some point, and when the YPAO microphone arrives next week I'll run that and see, but for now I have full surround sound using the 9 channel stereo mode and it sounds awesome.

Thanks for all the help troubleshooting guys. Muchly appreciated.

Cheers,

}Fear_Inoculum{

Just how did you use it in the past? Is it simply you're not being familiar with surround sound?

 

[}Fear_Inoculum{]

Still, comparing two dissimilar things isn't all that helpful....

Just how did you use it in the past? Is it simply you're not being familiar with surround sound?

I never messed around with any of the settings before. I had a 5.1 system hooked up previously and it worked fine for what it was. Never had any real issues per se, it was just a low end starter system.

I only really started getting into upgrading and looking at more expensive equipment in January of this year, when my budget subwoofer $#!+ the bed in late December. That was the first time I'd really even touched my 2040 except to turn it on/off over the years.

 

[Mark E. Long]

I never messed around with any of the settings before. I had a 5.1 system hooked up previously and it worked fine for what it was. Never had any real issues per se, it was just a low end starter system.

I only really started getting into upgrading and looking at more expensive equipment in January of this year, when my budget subwoofer $#!+ the bed in late December. That was the first time I'd really even touched my 2040 except to turn it on/off over the years.

Another thought....is this a new-to-you 2040? Or used it a long time with different results with the previous setup?

That is definitely possible if so a complete reset would be needed .

 

[Mark E. Long]

I never messed around with any of the settings before. I had a 5.1 system hooked up previously and it worked fine for what it was. Never had any real issues per se, it was just a low end starter system.

I only really started getting into upgrading and looking at more expensive equipment in January of this year, when my budget subwoofer $#!+ the bed in late December. That was the first time I'd really even touched my 2040 except to turn it on/off over the years.

I’d dig out the manual and reset the processor and go from there with a completely new calibration you’ve got a really good room and new gear I’d get the most out of it . The 2040 is a very capable unit it should sound fantastic and will if setup properly .

 

[3db]

The fact that 9 channel sounds clear indicates that all the channels in the amp are working properly. Do the reset as Mark suggested to bring it back to the factory default. But before you do anything else, look at the Firestick and report back on the output configuration of it. Also please descibe all the connection paths from source like the firestick, to the inputs being used on the AVR and the connection between the AVR and the display.

Next, look at each input setting on the AVR and show us the configurations. Are you using any of the scene settings? If so dont for the time being because maybe scene has an incorrect setup that would override the manual process of selecting the correct input with a funky memory setting like an incorrect speaker set up.

Not to sound trite but one really has to read the manual many times as there is just so much info there to digest and understand. If your coming from an older entry level AVR, there are far more differences between it and the RX-A2040 then similarities so dont assume anything will be the same between old and new. I went from a Yamaha RX-V1800 to an RX-A3060 and it was a major paradigm shift for me.

 

[snakeeyes]

Usually someone would ask the previous make and model speakers and the current make and model speakers. Sounds like was 5 total speakers but now is 7.

 

[Mark E. Long]

The fact that 9 channel sounds clear indicates that all the channels in the amp are working properly. Do the reset as Mark suggested to bring it back to the factory default. But before you do anything else, look at the Firestick and report back on the output configuration of it. Also please descibe all the connection paths from source like the firestick, to the inputs being used on the AVR and the connection between the AVR and the display.

Next, look at each input setting on the AVR and show us the configurations. Are you using any of the scene settings? If so dont for the time being because maybe scene has an incorrect setup that would override the manual process of selecting the correct input with a funky memory setting like an incorrect speaker set up.

Not to sound trite but one really has to read the manual many times as there is just so much info there to digest and understand. If your coming from an older entry level AVR, there are far more differences between it and the RX-A2040 then similarities so dont assume anything will be the same between old and new. I went from a Yamaha RX-V1800 to an RX-A3060 and it was a major paradigm shift for me.

Agree with everything you said on this I’d wipe the processor start new . Yamaha’s terminology is very vague on lots of settings that do pretty much the same thing as other manufacturers but no we’ll call it something else lol ! I still did out the manual and see what things are and do on mine . Sounds like he’s never run a good calibration on it too .

 

[Pogre]

It's not about my preference at all, there is a massive difference in not only the SPL, but the sound quality when I play anything in the different modes.The 9 channel stereo just sounds noticeably clearer and better. It's not about some minor difference that only a "golden ear" could notice.

Just did some reading about it, and I'm going to try playing around with the dB levels of the individual speakers in the settings when I get home from work later. I'll see if that makes the Dolby modes sound better.

You're comparing all channel to a surround mode then yes, all channel will be much louder because all of the speakers are playing all of the content all at the same time, which just sounds like crap, imo. Much louder but crap. I would expect there to be a big difference in spl between those modes.

As far as the surround modes go, I usually have to turn it up to -10, and sometimes even more for good sound and clear dialogue for a lot of Blu rays and streamed movies. It's just how the stuff is mixed. The surround channels will barely play anything at all in a lot of movies for much of the runtime. Again, just how it's mixed. I think you're comparing a noisy, crappy sound mode to a properly mixed one.

For music I rarely use anything but stereo, occasionally playing around with the Dolby upmixer. There is some music out there actually mixed for 5.1 playback like sacd or concerts on Blu Ray meant to be played back in surround that sounds very good, but I only have a few of those. Otherwise just stereo playback with music for me.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The only Atmos streaming title that really has some good moments that I’ve heard has been The Tomorrow War on Prime.

@AcuDefTechGuy calls most of these streamed titles “FAKEMOS”.

I think the only Atmos streaming I’ve seen that was Reference quality was “Another Life” TV series on Netflix.

 

[3db]

You're comparing all channel to a surround mode then yes, all channel will be much louder because all of the speakers are playing all of the content all at the same time, which just sounds like crap, imo. Much louder but crap. I would expect there to be a big difference in spl between those modes.

As far as the surround modes go, I usually have to turn it up to -10, and sometimes even more for good sound and clear dialogue for a lot of Blu rays and streamed movies. It's just how the stuff is mixed. The surround channels will barely play anything at all in a lot of movies for much of the runtime. Again, just how it's mixed. I think you're comparing a noisy, crappy sound mode to a properly mixed one.

For music I rarely use anything but stereo, occasionally playing around with the Dolby upmixer. There is some music out there actually mixed for 5.1 playback like sacd or concerts on Blu Ray meant to be played back in surround that sounds very good, but I only have a few of those. Otherwise just stereo playback with music for me.

The disparity lies with the muffled sound, not so much the SPL is what Im reading into this. The fact that the OP cranked the volume to 90% of max tells me compared to 9 channel stereo is indicative of a configuration miss match. Thats all the OP is saying. If I crank my setup to 90% volume in Dolby, I will get a visit from bilaw.

 

[Mark E. Long]

The disparity lies with the muffled sound, not so much the SPL is what Im reading into this. The fact that the OP cranked the volume to 90% of max tells me compared to 9 channel stereo is indicative of a configuration miss match. Thats all the OP is saying. If I crank my setup to 90% volume in Dolby, I will get a visit from bilaw.

From what I’ve read and have read into the op’s remarks this unit is not calabrated at least with his new equipment installed and may be running on older settings or mabey no calibration as he misplaced his mic . From the looks of his room and gear should sound really good when setup properly .

 

[lovinthehd]

Modern avrs aren't like old 2ch receivers where you just connected the source/speakers and turn the volume dial.....more setup is needed and does seem to be the missing factor.....possibly simply somewhat expectations, too.

 

[}Fear_Inoculum{]

Pictures of my speaker set up on the AVR:

I haven't messed around with the EQ settings yet, nor done a factory reset on the unit.

 

[3db]

Pictures of my speaker set up on the AVR:

View attachment 49093
View attachment 49094
View attachment 49096
View attachment 49097
View attachment 49098

I haven't messed around with the EQ settings yet, nor done a factory reset on the unit.

Now we need the input map and the settings of the input.

 

[Pogre]

The disparity lies with the muffled sound, not so much the SPL is what Im reading into this. The fact that the OP cranked the volume to 90% of max tells me compared to 9 channel stereo is indicative of a configuration miss match. Thats all the OP is saying. If I crank my setup to 90% volume in Dolby, I will get a visit from bilaw.

-10 IS 90% of my volume...