Best / most flexible equaliser in mid-range receiver?

[rlsx]

I am considering buying a mid-range receiver. Denon/Yamaha/Onkyo etc...

An important criterion, for me, is a flexible, controllable, equalization system, specially in the sub-woofer range.

Any opinions?
Thx

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Not certain what you are looking for in the way of a flexible, controllable, equalization system for the sub.

 

[sptrout]

I am not sure what you mean by flexible either, but nearly all the AVR brands you mentioned now include Audyssey. Audyssey is an excellent EQ system that is automatic, almost idiot proof and very effective especially in the low frequency area where it is critically needed.

http://www.audyssey.com/index.html

 

[rlsx]

By "flexible" I meant that it can be adjusted by hand, not just with automatic calibration.

Yamaha uses YPAO, others use Audissey, Pioneer yet another system. Each system has several variants. Is there a comparison somewhere between different systems?

 

[fmw]

By "flexible" I meant that it can be adjusted by hand, not just with automatic calibration.

Yamaha uses YPAO, others use Audissey, Pioneer yet another system. Each system has several variants. Is there a comparison somewhere between different systems?

No, they all do the same thing if you use them manually. EQ is EQ. The only difference is in the application of it.

 

[rlsx]

No, they all do the same thing if you use them manually. EQ is EQ. The only difference is in the application of it.

"EQ is EQ"... Not quite: as far as I know, when in auto-calibration, YPAO uses parametric filters. If you switch to manual, you only have a graphic equalizer available.

 

[zumbo]

"EQ is EQ"... Not quite: as far as I know, when in auto-calibration, YPAO uses parametric filters. If you switch to manual, you only have a graphic equalizer available.

Correct. And no-one can set the graphic eq to match what YPAO will do for you.

I am not familiar with the other brands offerings, but I am pretty sure advanced auto set-up is the best option on all of them. Just be sure to set all speakers to small, set the desired x-over point, and select skip during auto set-up on the size option.

 

[rlsx]

Correct. And no-one can set the graphic eq to match what YPAO will do for you.

Do you known what "improved YPAO", in the newer receivers, does better than the "old" YPAO. Does it go lower in the frequency spectrum? How much lower?

 

[zumbo]

Do you known what "improved YPAO", in the newer receivers, does better than the "old" YPAO. Does it go lower in the frequency spectrum? How much lower?

I can't give an honest answer to that. I had a RX-V1400. I just got a Z7. It's better for sure, but I don't know if it's YPAO, or because I went so far up the line.

I know I can manually make changes to the parametric eq on the Z7, but I am not going to attempt to do that.

 

[Warpdrv]

Generally the recievers will allow you to run the auto calibrations, and save those to a secondary memory to keep the standing waves measurement and delays and what not, then you can change the EQ settings on the fly. Now lets be certain that none of them really have a decent method of EQ'ing the Sub, you would be best served by getting an outboard unit like an SMS-1 or Behringer EQ.

I have used the EQ on both of my Elite Recievers, but they do not offer any Subwoofer management, I use SMS-1's

The only ones that I know of are the units with Audessey Multi XT that actually do a halfway decent job of EQing the sub.... but again, I don't know if you can alter what it does.

 

[rlsx]

Now let's be certain that none of them really have a decent method of EQ'ing the Sub, you would be best served by getting an outboard unit like an SMS-1 or Behringer EQ.

You put your finger on what's on my mind: getting decent equalization in the sub range with the on-board equalizer.

The only ones that I know of are the units with Audessey Multi XT that actually do a halfway decent job of EQing the sub.... but again, I don't know if you can alter what it does.

Where can I read an objective assessment of the Audissey Multi XT?

 

[no. 5]

Where can I read an objective assessment of the Audissey Multi XT?

I'm not sure how easy that will be to find, considering how subjectively most people take this hobby, but I do know of a objective assessment of MultEQ, another Audissey product.

 

[jostenmeat]

You put your finger on what's on my mind: getting decent equalization in the sub range with the on-board equalizer.

Where can I read an objective assessment of the Audissey Multi XT?

If I understand things right, XT applies hundreds of filters. Please note the difference between vanilla MultiEQ and and MultiEQ XT. The latter will offer at least 8x the filtering resolution for subs and sats. However, some people say its really the sub that gets the most benefit.

Also note that while you cannot change what XT does, you can STILL adjust to taste accordingly, after calibration. You can add aforementioned EQs such as SMS-1, etc, after calibration.

Lastly, using time domain correction as with XT is not quite the same as using level adjustments. The difference is more apparent with multiple viewers, when ringing tones that affect ALL positions are tamed. Reduction of overhang.


*The most affordable receivers with XT, I believe, are the Onkyo 705 and 805, whether new or refurbed. The 706 and 806 have downgraded to non-XT version of MEQ. (though you get dyn eq instead, but I don't have any need for that since I don't share walls with neighbors or have sleeping kids).

Nice discussion, carry on.

 

[Warpdrv]

Check out this thread.....

I haven't read through the whole thing, but worth checking into...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1088596