Exclusive Denon AVR-3805 First Look!

[Unregistered]

Hey Hawke,
I second the previous post, any idea when you'll post the AVR3805 review since you've received the actual unit??Any little nuggets on your initial thoughts or how the testing is going......I know I'm reaching.
Your friend impatiently trying to be patient Shawners

 

[Access Denied]

Crossover Fequency

Hello All, I’m hooking up my 3805 to an Atlantic Technology System 170 and wondering about the correct crossover frequency for my speaker system.

Speaker Frequency Response

R/L Mains = 90hz – 120khz
Center = 90hz – 120khz
Rears = 90hz – 120khz
Subwoofer= 25hz – 180hz


Right now I have the 3805 Crossover frequency at 100hz

Does this setting look ok?

 

[Unregistered]

Same System

Hello All, I’m hooking up my 3805 to an Atlantic Technology System 170 and wondering about the correct crossover frequency for my speaker system.

Speaker Frequency Response

R/L Mains = 90hz – 120khz
Center = 90hz – 120khz
Rears = 90hz – 120khz
Subwoofer= 25hz – 180hz


Right now I have the 3805 Crossover frequency at 90hz

Does this setting look ok?

Hey Access, I just installed the same system, ie 3805 & system 170's, I could only find crossover options of 80hz or 100hz, how did you do 90hz?
Also, did you use the auto setup? This is my first system, I'm currious about your thoughts on sound performace, I'm not getting the surond effect I hoped for.
Thanks,
Greenhorn

 

[Access Denied]

Greenhorn, 90hz was a typo. I have the crossover frequency at 100hz. I did use the auto calibration using the Denon mic. The only problem I had was that after the tests the receiver says my rears are out of phase. I contacted Denon and here is their reply.

“Large listening areas when using Dipole loud speakers have shown a false reading of out of phase”

Just select to SKIP the error and then save the settings. That’s what they told me to do. I also double checked the Auto Calibrate settings against my spl meter readings and they were right on the money. As far as the rear sound performance. After the calibration I am getting excellent imaging all around. I think it sounds fantastic. I play DVD/CD/SACD/HDCD through it and it sounds great. I was using an older Sony STR-DA777ES before I upgraded to the Denon. The Sony STR-DA777ES is a fantastic receiver but I prefer the Denon as it has a more mature sound than the Sony did. It does not have as many bells and whistles but I really love the sound.

 

[Access Denied]

One feature missing from the 3805 is RDS. I noticed that all the previous models have RDS but it is missing from the 3805. Not a big deal but I wonder why they decided not have support for it on this model when most the other denon receivers have it. Hmmmm

 

[Unregistered]

3805 Review????

Hawke, when is that 3805 Review going to be here?? We have been waiting for the review!!

Hope its here soon.

 

[Glenn]

Problem With Zone 3 3805

I looking for some help on getting zone 3 working on the Denon 3805. I don't have a power amp just another set of speakers in another room. I have the 5.1 working in the main room with no problems. I'm not sure if I need another amp to do this. Thanks

 

[Unregistered]

7.1 Plus Zone 2?

I noticed that to use the Denon's amp for zone two, it seems you can only have a 5.1 setup. However, if I have a 7.1 setup, can I still use the pre-outs for zone 2, and use a sep. amp for the two speakers? Just curious if the processor allows this, and the amp just can't handle a theoretical 9.1 system. Thanks a lot

Mike

 

[bnewt]

Does the Denon allow you to change the speaker size without disrupting the other calibrations? I had read previously that the Denon would not allow the change of speaker size (large changed to small) as the Pioneer units do.

 

[Unregistered]

Rds ok

One feature missing from the 3805 is RDS. I noticed that all the previous models have RDS but it is missing from the 3805. Not a big deal but I wonder why they decided not have support for it on this model when most the other denon receivers have it. Hmmmm

My 3805 handles RDS ok. But it's a european model (don't know if there are other differences than the voltage).
It manages the PS name (name of station) and even Traffic Annonce and Radio Text (I'm not sur but I think it handles also PTY).

I know it's not written in the spec, but it's in.

Hope this help.
Vette

 

[Audioholics]

Review is coming along nicely - I'll have it completed by end of month - much sooner if possible.

I've listened to the 3805 with a total of 6 surround systems and 9 subwoofers... I've also compared its amplification section with my Sherbourn 7/2100. It holds its own very well for the most part.

I ran the auto-setup the other day for the first time. I plan on running it several more times to see what my average results are. For the most part it is spot on for distances, except for my subwoofers, which it likes to say is closer than it is by about 2 feet. Most likely this is due to some acoustical room issue.

The detail put into the setup interface is impressive - in terms of what they allow you to adjust. I could make suggestions for improvement - but I'll spend more time on what IS there. I'll be filling out the Processor Checklist shortly which will give us a nice overview as to the feature st of the receiver against its competition.

So far, I'm fairly impressed. We're trying to get Denon to ship a 5900 to me so we can utilize the DLink connection. I'd like to report on that first hand.

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks for keeping us posted Hawke , can't wait for your full review.I'm glade your putting alot of time and testing into your review.Keep up the GREAT work!
Impatiently trying to be patient ,
Your friend Shawn

 

[Access Denied]

How do you get the 3805 to do matrix 6.1 or 7.1 decoding? I have it hooked up to a 5.1 speaker system.

 

[unregestered]

Hawke
Would it be possible to gives us a "Dummies Setup Procedure" this manual is woefull !!
cheers laurie

 

[Unregistered]

Can't get the Denon to decode 6.1 or 7.1 if you only have 5 speakers connected in the setup menu.

 

[Unregistered]

We're trying to get Denon to ship a 5900 to me so we can utilize the DLink connection. I'd like to report on that first hand.

The 5900 has the 2nd edition Dlink the 3805 has the 3rd edition so how it's going to work fully
cheers laurie

 

[Audioholics]

For setting up the system correctly, you'll need to have an SPL meter ($35 at Radio Shack)

Enter the Denon setup menu and select the speaker setup.

Here you'll be able to set the speaker type and distances as well as levels and the crossover point (bass management). Set the speaker type (large or small) and distances first (this sets the correct delay times for the speakers) You can set it to read in feet or meters.

Next, set your crossover point for your speakers (you can experiment with this, but generally shoot for within 20 Hz of your +/-3dB point of the smallest speaker you have in the arrangement.)

Finally, do your speaker level calibration. From your LISTENING POSITION start the pink noise level test and set the master volume so that your meter reads 75dB from the left front speaker with the Denon value set to 0dB.

NOTE: Point the meter microphone stright up at the ceiling from the listening position. Hold it at your head level.

Then cycle around all speakers and make them all read the same (75dB on the meter), including the subwoofer. If you have to gain or decrease the sub by more than 3dB - I would get up and use the sub volume control, then go back to the Denon levels and re-tweak.

If you want to check phase and such, and you don't have access to AVIA or some flavor of Video Essentials, grab a THX disc like SW Episode 1 which has the THX optimizer on it (under options from the main menu).

Run the audio stuff in there and you'll be able to check not only left/right speaker phase, but front and surrounds phase as well (to see if your surrounds are in phase with your mains - very important).

I hope I didn't forget anything. I am in the middle oif a cool 5.1 speaker face-off review and saw this post - so I thought I'd answer it quickly.

 

[Unregistered]

3805 auto Calibration

Hi Hawke,
I'm introducing a new subwoofer to my system (SVS 20-39 PCI ) and I have the Denon 3805. I am wondering if I need to use the SPL meter or is the Denon Auto calibration good enough? How did you find it to work compared to using the meter?
Thanks

 

[Unregistered]

Hi Hawke,
I'm introducing a new subwoofer to my system (SVS 20-39 PCI ) and I have the Denon 3805. I am wondering if I need to use the SPL meter or is the Denon Auto calibration good enough? How did you find it to work compared to using the meter?
Thanks

Good question. I too am curious if the Auto set-up is superior as I am trying to decide between a 3805 and a NAD T773, which would require a manual set-up..

What made you choose the SVS 20-39 over the 25-31? I am still trying to decide which of the two would be better.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Glenn]

svs 20-39 over the 25-31

There are a couple of reasons I chose the 20-39pci over the 25-31pci.
1) I don't have a problem with the size. The wife is ok with it. lol

2) After talking to SVS Technical support, they told me that there aren't many DVD's out at this time with low bass going down to 20Hz (which the 20-39 will do but the 25-31 will not) but it seems to be a growing trend. So I figured I might as well cover myself for the future. That is really the only difference between the two. We watch quite a bit of DVD's. By the way SVS Customer support is fantastic.

3) The last reason is it is only an additional $50.00.
Glenn