Audessey MultEQ XT vs Yamaha YPAO

[jimmy77433]

Hi Ya'll,

I've been lurking around here for quite a while trying to do my homework on my next purchase.

I want to upgrade my receiver and "think" I have it narrowed down to either the Yamaha RX-V861 or Onkyo TX-SR705.

My question concerns the sound equalization systems used. I have read good things about the Audessy system used by Onkyo & some others, but the Yamaha uses a different system that I haven't been able to find any opinions on. I have had good luck with Yamaha gear in the past (I'm still using a 20 year old pre-amp/class A amp in another room) and have other Yamaha gear I'd kinda like to match.

I am using Polk Audio RTi6/CSi3/FXi3/PSW10 speakers in a 18' x 20' room with a 20' ceiling so the room equalizer feature is important to me. The current receiver I am using is an older RCA Pro Series STAV-3990 that is 100w x 5. The power seems sufficient, but the RTi6 speakers sound better (clearer, brighter) with the surround mode shut off and run in 2 channel mode.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am not sure I would let the auto-cal be the deciding factor. Get the one that has what you need and is the best price. Avia and a SPL meter is the way to cal but either the YPAO or Aud should get you in the ballpark.

 

[Seth=L]

The Audyssey is more sophisticated than the YPAO, but nothing can really compete with a SPL meter and a test disc.

 

[no. 5]

...but nothing can really compete with a SPL meter and a test disc.

A laptop, calibrated microphone, and software would be some tough competition.

 

[Seth=L]

A laptop, calibrated microphone, and software would be some tough competition.

Well that, but not built into receiver auto-setup stuff.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi Ya'll,
My question concerns the sound equalization systems used. I have read good things about the Audessy system used by Onkyo & some others, but the Yamaha uses a different system that I haven't been able to find any opinions on. I have had good luck with Yamaha gear in the past (I'm still using a 20 year old pre-amp/class A amp in another room) and have other Yamaha gear I'd kinda like to match.
Jim

You may want to visit a bookstore, Barns&Noble, nearby that carries The $ensible Sound. The current issue has a very good article on the Audyssey on page 20. While it talks mainly about the custom installed unit, it does discuss the design goals and how things operate.

 

[jimmy77433]

You may want to visit a bookstore, Barns&Noble, nearby that carries The $ensible Sound. The current issue has a very good article on the Audyssey on page 20. While it talks mainly about the custom installed unit, it does discuss the design goals and how things operate.

Thanks mtrycrafts:

I have read all of material on the Audyssey website. Pretty interesting stuff.

I was hoping that the Yamaha owners would chime in on the effectiveness of the YPAO system.

I'm starting to lean towards the Onkyo because of the Audyssey & that the Yamaha doesn't have the THX certification or play in THX Surround EX.

Thanks again,
Jim

 

[Josuah]

I'm not really sure why people are comparing the YPAO to the Audyssey purely from an EQ point of view (or to an SPL meter even). From what I understand the Audyssey system does more than just assign PEQ filters for SPL peaks or nulls. And an SPL meter on its own will only level match the different speakers' unfiltered response.

 

[jostenmeat]

I'm not really sure why people are comparing the YPAO to the Audyssey purely from an EQ point of view (or to an SPL meter even). From what I understand the Audyssey system does more than just assign PEQ filters for SPL peaks or nulls. And an SPL meter on its own will only level match the different speakers' unfiltered response.

I would agree from what I have gathered. If I understand things correctly, an SPL meter would help only with a singular listening position, generally. Audyssey works in the time domain to correct overhang or long decay, and if I understand this correctly, would not always necessarily show up on a meter.

This post is 5 months old, but I thought it was quite the eloquent explanation of the use of Audyssey compared to the DIY "approach". Well, it was eloquent to me at least! (from the NAD T175 anticipation thread, post# 546 by sdurani)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11046479#post11046479

 

[no. 5]

And an SPL meter on its own will only level match the different speakers' unfiltered response.

It can do a little more than that, with test tones it is possible to figure out the systems frequency response, and with time and a notepad, it can be done for many sitting positions.

However, a SPL meter is incapable of measuring any sort of time response, and even if it was and you took the time to measure the FR and TR of multiple listing positions you would still be at a disadvantage compared to a receiver that incorporates Audyssey, or YAPO, because a typical receiver does not have the level of control over the signal that those systems provide.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks mtrycrafts:

I have read all of material on the Audyssey website. Pretty interesting stuff.

I was hoping that the Yamaha owners would chime in on the effectiveness of the YPAO system.

I'm starting to lean towards the Onkyo because of the Audyssey & that the Yamaha doesn't have the THX certification or play in THX Surround EX.

Thanks again,
Jim

Sure. But, the T$S testing and review is from an unbiased person with great technical knowledge. No touting own horn there. It even has some drawbacks that he points out.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...From what I understand the Audyssey system does more than just assign PEQ filters for SPL peaks or nulls. ....

And how. That is why I recommend reading that T$S article Rich gets in there, shows some graphs, etc, how the multiple listening positions are different and how it normalizes the setup to alleviate this as much as possible.

 

[Josuah]

[An SPL meter] can do a little more than that, with test tones it is possible to figure out the systems frequency response, and with time and a notepad, it can be done for many sitting positions.

But it can't do anything about it...so it'll let you know what sucks, and then you've got to live with it.