Anthem MRX-520/720 vs Denon X4200 vs Yamaha RXA-1000?

[Stereoguy]

I currently own the RXA-1000 considering replacing it with the 520/720 or the X4200...wondering for both music & movies would it(520/720/4200) outperform my RXA-1000 by a noticeable difference especially for music??...I'm using Axiom M80v3 speakers as mains..Axiom VP150 as my center...the M80's are 4 ohm speakers(92db) the Yamaha has no problem driving them so the Anthem/Denon shouldn't either? I never use the dsp modes that the Yamaha has looking to improve the sound quality more then "bells & Whistles.Thanks for any help!

 

[PENG]

I currently own the RXA-1000 considering replacing it with the 520/720 or the X4200...wondering for both music & movies would it(520/720/4200) outperform my RXA-1000 by a noticeable difference especially for music??...I'm using Axiom M80v3 speakers as mains..Axiom VP150 as my center...the M80's are 4 ohm speakers(92db) the Yamaha has no problem driving them so the Anthem/Denon shouldn't either? I never use the dsp modes that the Yamaha has looking to improve the sound quality more then "bells & Whistles.Thanks for any help!

I think you are right, if the RX-A1000 can drive your M80's then so can the Denon X4200W or the Anthem MRX. 4 ohms speakers are generally more difficult to drive but if their sensitivities are truly 92 dB/2.83V/m then you can just pretend they are 8 ohm but have sensitivity of 89 dB/2.83V/m.

In pure direct mode I expect they will all sound similarly good but if you engage REQ, some people claim Anthem's system is better than Audyssey XT32 but if you ask Audyssey they will obviously tell you the opposite.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I've heard Anthem's EQ vs Audyssey. I think Audyssey is better. Others think Anthem 's EQ is better.

I think Anthem's Dolby Volume Leveler isn't aggressive enough compared to Audyssey Dynamic EQ. Others think Audyssey DEQ is overly aggressive and prefer Anthem.

But as PENG says, in Direct/Bypass mode, they all sound unequivocally great - Yamaha, Denon, Amthem, etc.

With ARC vs Audyssey vs others, the answers are equivocal.

 

[PENG]

Yeah, I've heard Anthem's EQ vs Audyssey. I think Audyssey is better. Others think Anthem 's EQ is better.

I think Anthem's Dolby Volume Leveler isn't aggressive enough compared to Audyssey Dynamic EQ. Others think Audyssey DEQ is overly aggressive and prefer Anthem.

But as PENG says, in Direct/Bypass mode, they all sound unequivocally great - Yamaha, Denon, Amthem, etc.

With ARC vs Audyssey vs others, the answers are equivocal.

I have REW graphs to prove DEQ is not overly aggressive, at least not in my setup in my room.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have REW graphs to prove DEQ is not overly aggressive, at least not in my setup in my room.

That's the fallacy in their argument. With DEQ, the user has the capability to adjust the effects in increments, not just with the pre-settings, but by altering the channel levels.

Bottom line: people who like ARC will swear forever that ARC is better. Same with fans of Audyssey, Direc, Lyngdorph, Harman, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.

Yes, they have compared various EQ, and yes, they preferred the one they end up owning.

We've seen superb graphs of Audyssey and ARC and others. But in the end, it's all about that personal sound experience in their rooms.