Audyssey Works!

[BoredSysAdmin]

Short preface: Every time I had any changes in speakers configuration I made quick (3 positions) Audyssey auto-calibration, but was never impressed by results - neither speakers distances were calibrated correctly, neither It fixed my sound issues - mainly problems hearing people's voices.

During my [strike]trolling[/strike] exploration here on forums I found this great and very detailed guide on correct Audyssey calibration.

Last weekend, while my better half was at work I tried to follow the guide to the letter and used all 8 position measuring calibration provided by my MultiEQ XT on Onkyo TX-SR805.

Whole calibration process took at-least 30mins, but the results are nothing short of amazing - now the voices come out crystal clear and surrounds now actually blend very nicely and even wife noticed big difference...

Is it placebo effect, possibly But I had issue with not-clear people voices since forever and many other HT owners I know suffer from same issue...

p.s: To position mic at ear levels I used camera tripod

 

[adk highlander]

Cool I'm glad it improved your sound. I've been round and round with Audyssey as well. Using the tripod is an absoute must to get the mic at the correct height. I initially felt that I had better results from 3 position over higher numbers. I read the article you linked plus talking with jostenmeat, rmk and nibhaz I used some of their mic placement ideas and now have much better results.

Do you have any treatments? What is the general shape and type of construction of your room?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Nope I have not done any room treatments yet and probably honestly speaking, this is rent apartment so none really planned for obvious reason
I do understand I should do things in different order : Speakers, Room treatments only then EQ, but I got my limitations.
I attached my apartment's very rough floor plan. Some explanations are in order:
Yellow line shows the fact ENTIRE wall behind my TV stand is Glass. I mean it's kinda nice to look at, but besides it wont be design choice its probably a disaster for my sound
Green lines are windows - again lots of glass. Recliner couch by wall and loveseat near by.
I also decided to spare misery and pain to my neighbors by not buying sub - yet, however I feel that my fronts tSc TS2 do compensate for lack of sub nicely (I set post Audyssey process x-over to 80Hz and fronts to full-range)

 

[6L6X4]

Thanks for your timely (for me) link to the AVS Audyssey set-up guide. Yesterday I bought a receiver with MultEQ XT so that guide will help me get the most from my new toy.

SWEET!

 

[chas_w]

The problem I had when first using Audyssey was making the mistake of using the different seating areas of my room for the different measuring points instead of clustering them around the prime seating area (as mentioned in the guide you linked).

 

[mtrycrafts]

...
Is it placebo effect, possibly But I had issue with not-clear people voices since forever and many other HT owners I know suffer from same issue...

Absolutely not placebo You are tuning the speakers to the room enough to be audible unlike other stuff people do.