Installing octave equalizer to denon 3806

[msave69]

So i had a denon 888 and upgraded to a denon 3806 so I can eventually add amps. I dont see a way to hook up my audio control octave equalizer. Thought i could loop in through front l/r pre out and back into front l/r ext in. Does not work. It doesnt have a tape mon like on my pioneer that i waas using it on. Is there any way to do this and what excactly are all the ext in for? Theres as many of those as the pre outs for each individual channel. Thanks for any help

 

[j_garcia]

The 3806 has Audessey which can automatically calibrate your speakers for you. I believe it was the first model with Multi-EQ XT, which allows you to take readings from multiple seating positions to create a more balanced calibration.

Main in/out and tape loop don't exist on too many devices these days because they're sort of not really needed for home theater with current technology. You are likely to find them on stereo receivers and integrated amps though, which are often more analog and don't typically have auto-calibration.

 

[lovinthehd]

You can generally only insert your eq in between pre-out and external amps with modern avrs....

 

[j_garcia]

You can generally only insert your eq in between pre-out and external amps with modern avrs....

Prior to auto-calibration, some models would have main in/out loop for an EQ on the front speakers. I haven't seen that in a long time though. Definitely not since calibration became standard on most AVRs.

 

[msave69]

The 3806 has Audessey which can automatically calibrate your speakers for you. I believe it was the first model with Multi-EQ XT, which allows you to take readings from multiple seating positions to create a more balanced calibration.

Main in/out and tape loop don't exist on too many devices these days because they're sort of not really needed for home theater with current technology. You are likely to find them on stereo receivers and integrated amps though, which are often more analog and don't typically have auto-calibration.

I did see about the audessey but I don't have the microphone to calibrate it. From my research i guess they are brand and model number specific for most part.

 

[lovinthehd]

Prior to auto-calibration, some models would have main in/out loop for an EQ on the front speakers. I haven't seen that in a long time though. Definitely not since calibration became standard on most AVRs.

I think it has more to do with DRM than on board auto and/or manual eq.

 

[lovinthehd]

I did see about the audessey but I don't have the microphone to calibrate it. From my research i guess they are brand and model number specific for most part.

Only a couple models for Denon Audyssey avrs....check eBay, the Denon DM-A405 is what I have for my 3808.

 

[j_garcia]

Mics should be easy to find.

 

[highfigh]

You can generally only insert your eq in between pre-out and external amps with modern avrs....

They were designed to be connected in a tape loop (consumer grade equipment or an effects loop (pro equipment), not between pre and power amp because the level in a tape loop isn't variable (other than program level as opposed to voltage output feeding a power amp). Also, the output and input impedance in a tape/effects loop and equalizer are better matched than pre and power amp.

 

[msave69]

Thanks everyone. Going on a mic search now. Shows the DM-S205 as what I need

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks everyone. Going on a mic search now. Shows the DM-S205 as what I need

Is that per the manual?

 

[lovinthehd]

They were designed to be connected in a tape loop (consumer grade equipment or an effects loop (pro equipment), not between pre and power amp because the level in a tape loop isn't variable (other than program level as opposed to voltage output feeding a power amp). Also, the output and input impedance in a tape/effects loop and equalizer are better matched than pre and power amp.

The eq may or may not be able to handle the impedance/voltage difference between line level and the pre-out level. Not ideal, but then graphic eq's are not ideal either. It's just the only way you can insert something like that since there's no provision with the avr.

 

[msave69]

Is that per the manual?

Yes per manual.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes per manual.

Interesting, my 3808 manual doesn't specify the model number for the mic....I read it off the mic's box and assumed it would be the same since they're roughly the same age...but IIRC still likely the same mic.

 

[msave69]

Interesting, my 3808 manual doesn't specify the model number for the mic....I read it off the mic's box and assumed it would be the same since they're roughly the same age...but IIRC still likely the same mic.

On page 2 of my manual there's a box that lists accessories. It shows what's included in box and that's where the model number for microphone is listed

 

[lovinthehd]

On page 2 of my manual there's a box that lists accessories. It shows what's included in box and that's where the model number for microphone is listed

Yes, I know what you mean but not in my 3808 manual, which somewhat surprised me. The model number is listed in my Denon 4520 manual, tho (ACM1HB).

 

[highfigh]

The eq may or may not be able to handle the impedance/voltage difference between line level and the pre-out level. Not ideal, but then graphic eq's are not ideal either. It's just the only way you can insert something like that since there's no provision with the avr.

Might be the only way to connect it, but sending 2V or more to an equalizer that was designed for about 1V is a good way to kill any available headroom and/or cause clipping on loud passages.

Some graphic EQs are pretty good and technically, the difference between a software-based equalizer and one with sliders is the fact that the sliders can become dirty & need cleaning or they can be damaged- functionally, they're really the same. Pro graphic EQ can have features like constant Q (Rane) or a way to move the center frequency, making them 'para-graphic'. The manual equalization in Denon AVRs is graphic.

 

[highfigh]

So i had a denon 888 and upgraded to a denon 3806 so I can eventually add amps. I dont see a way to hook up my audio control octave equalizer. Thought i could loop in through front l/r pre out and back into front l/r ext in. Does not work. It doesnt have a tape mon like on my pioneer that i waas using it on. Is there any way to do this and what excactly are all the ext in for? Theres as many of those as the pre outs for each individual channel. Thanks for any help

Why do you want to use an outboard equalizer when the AVR has it built in? Read the manual- I doubt it will sound better with the Audio Control EQ.

 

[msave69]

Why do you want to use an outboard equalizer when the AVR has it built in? Read the manual- I doubt it will sound better with the Audio Control EQ.

Just wanted to see what if anything it would do with the denon.

 

[highfigh]

Just wanted to see what if anything it would do with the denon.

There are several reasons graphic equalizers aren't as easy to find as they were in the past- many people blew up their speakers. Some did this because they have absolutely no idea how these are supposed to be used, some because they boosted certain bands and couldn't hear a difference, so they boosted those bands more before cranking the volume. They were also used to boost the audio level of the system, whether the amplifier could actually provide clean output, or not. The fact that the (ab)users couldn't hear the massive clipping is a different matter.

Proper use of equalization assumes a couple of things- one, that the room is already acoustically inert and two, that the equalization will be used to smooth minor variations in the response. Acoustical problems can't be equalized away if they're based on reflection- that just screws up the sound. If the response dips are caused by a bit of excess absorption, they can sometimes be restored, but the results won't be consistent throughout the room.