Harman Kardon EzSet/EQ

[ljaggers]

I recently auto-calibrated my H/K AVR1600 using the EzSet/EQ microphone that came with the system. The first movie I watched after calibration was Behind Enemy Lines (blu-ray.) I was very disappointed to find that I could barely hear the dialog. I checked the levels and found them to be completely wacked out (the left front was +3DB and the right front was -1DB!)

Has anyone had any experience with this feature on Harman Kardon receivers? Please feel free to share your troubles or successes with this issue. Any advice would be welcomed!

 

[KASR]

I've heard sketchy things about the H/K auto EQ - which was one of the reasons I was very hesitant to even try the one that is loaded on my Marantz....however, when I did run the Marantz auto EQ, it actualy fixed an audio problem that I was having - which lead me to believe that not all auto-eq's are created equal. In all other resources that I've scoured, they've always said to use auto-eq as a foundation....a good place to start and then tune to your liking.

Be interesting to see what anyone's experience(s) have been with H/K and or others.

 

[anamorphic96]

I've heard sketchy things about the H/K auto EQ - which was one of the reasons I was very hesitant to even try the one that is loaded on my Marantz....however, when I did run the Marantz auto EQ, it actualy fixed an audio problem that I was having - which lead me to believe that not all auto-eq's are created equal. In all other resources that I've scoured, they've always said to use auto-eq as a foundation....a good place to start and then tune to your liking.

Be interesting to see what anyone's experience(s) have been with H/K and or others.

Keep in mind your Marantz is just an auto set up. There is no EQ done to the sound.

 

[anamorphic96]

I recently auto-calibrated my H/K AVR1600 using the EzSet/EQ microphone that came with the system. The first movie I watched after calibration was Behind Enemy Lines (blu-ray.) I was very disappointed to find that I could barely hear the dialog. I checked the levels and found them to be completely wacked out (the left front was +3DB and the right front was -1DB!)

Has anyone had any experience with this feature on Harman Kardon receivers? Please feel free to share your troubles or successes with this issue. Any advice would be welcomed!

Try experimenting with where the mic is positioned and make sure you use a tri pod. Try putting the mic about 6 to 8 inches in front of where your head would be and make sure its away from the head cushions on the couch or chair as much as possible. Also make sure the room is real quiet any ambient noice can throw these auto setups off. I typically do mine in the middle of the night.

 

[Alex2507]

I checked the levels and found them to be completely wacked out (the left front was +3DB and the right front was -1DB!)

That isn't so crazy but I bet plenty of us would be freaked out by any of your speakers being set to Large and something as nutty as any of your speakers being crossed at 140Hz.

The SPL meter in the remote is wicked inaccurate. Check it against an analog Radio Shack Remote. Tell us what kind of speakers you have what the auto thing set them to. BTW, I have an H/K and love it ... just not that part.

 

[KASR]

Keep in mind your Marantz is just an auto set up. There is no EQ done to the sound.

Well, Marantz and H/K use the word "EQ", but their "auto EQ setup" is trying to accomplish the same thing. To basically, automatically measures the acoustic characteristics of the speaker systems and listening room where the unit is installed using the microphone provided, and sets the optimum listening environment through a series of test tones.

 

[ljaggers]

That isn't so crazy but I bet plenty of us would be freaked out by any of your speakers being set to Large and something as nutty as any of your speakers being crossed at 140Hz.

The SPL meter in the remote is wicked inaccurate. Check it against an analog Radio Shack Remote. Tell us what kind of speakers you have what the auto thing set them to. BTW, I have an H/K and love it ... just not that part.

I own a pair of BIC America DV64s with two active 6.5" drivers that is capable of 30Hz. The Auto EQ set them to 80 Hz (rather than the "large" setting I had them on previously.)

Alex would i be better off just setting the crossovers based on the factory specifications and gradually adjusting the DB levels as I go. I'm afraid I don't quite have the ear of an audio aficionado yet and have trouble knowing what to adjust when I hear an imbalance. Did you manually adjust yours?

 

[Alex2507]

I own a pair of BIC America DV64s with two active 6.5" drivers that is capable of 30Hz. The Auto EQ set them to 80 Hz (rather than the "large" setting I had them on previously.)

Alex would i be better off just setting the crossovers based on the factory specifications and gradually adjusting the DB levels as I go. I'm afraid I don't quite have the ear of an audio aficionado yet and have trouble knowing what to adjust when I hear an imbalance. Did you manually adjust yours?

80 Hz actually sounds good. I would say that no lower than 60 regardless of what the manufacturer says and the small setting is right. As far as balance/gain/dB is concerned your ear won't do it. You need an SPL meter.

For now you might try the 80 Hz/Small for everything providing the spec's say the speakers will handle it. I'm not overly familiar with the EQ feature but would make sure that it didn't really crank any frequency one way or another. Try turning your sub down as well. With all that and turning your center channel gain up by a couple of dB at a clip while checking to see when the dialog does become clear should get you going.

Reading this may help you.

 

[rnatalli]

HK's EzSet/EQ system is pretty awful. Use an SPL meter to setup the proper balance manually and leave EQ off.

 

[lsiberian]

I've found the HK EzSet to work just fine in a properly setup system in a proper room. However few people have that. So most should use an SPL meter.

No auto eq system I've used have I found to be fantastic. Improper center dialogue is the result of interference between the L-R channels and the center.

This means you don't have a enough space between them. For this you have 3 options.

1. Move the L-R speakers to wider angle toed in toward you.

2. Disconnect the center channel and run a phantom center.

3. run the center hot.


FYI 4db isn't a huge difference in sound. Seeing as 3db is when it really becomes significant. If there is an imbalance it would like net a 4db difference.

 

[tooskinny]

I use the EzSet to give me a base line on where to start. It does a good job at figuring out the distance of the speakers from my sitting position. I just go in and change the speaker size and the crossover to 80hz for all speakers. I have used a SPL meter and the setting on the speaker output is really close to the SPL meter.

 

[ljaggers]

I've found the HK EzSet to work just fine in a properly setup system in a proper room. However few people have that. So most should use an SPL meter.

No auto eq system I've used have I found to be fantastic. Improper center dialogue is the result of interference between the L-R channels and the center.

This means you don't have a enough space between them. For this you have 3 options.

1. Move the L-R speakers to wider angle toed in toward you.

2. Disconnect the center channel and run a phantom center.

3. run the center hot.


FYI 4db isn't a huge difference in sound. Seeing as 3db is when it really becomes significant. If there is an imbalance it would like net a 4db difference.

You are exactly right! I have an awkward setup in the corner of my living room. I have been trying to convince my wife to move the HT into the next room where I could set everything up properly with more room--It turns out she wears the pants in this relationship. And because the set up is in the corner I can only space the L & R speakers out so much. I guess I can just make minor adjustments until it sounds acceptable to me for a while until I can actually move my setup to a proper room. Thanks for this advice. You are like a palm reader.

 

[buster6070]

I have the the HK 3600 and the EZ/EQ worked somewhat. I had to lower the sub and raise my SR & SL. But it was a good starting point. Are you having problems with sound delays??

 

[ljaggers]

I have the the HK 3600 and the EZ/EQ worked somewhat. I had to lower the sub and raise my SR & SL. But it was a good starting point. Are you having problems with sound delays??

No sound delays. I actually really love this AVR1600. Before I began this auto calibration process I had acceptable settings and I noticed a noticably warmer sound that my previous Yamaha. I know once I get everything adjusted properly, I will be very very happy with my purchase. Not to mention that it is the most glamorous item in my entertainment center.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[lsiberian]

You are exactly right! I have an awkward setup in the corner of my living room. I have been trying to convince my wife to move the HT into the next room where I could set everything up properly with more room--It turns out she wears the pants in this relationship. And because the set up is in the corner I can only space the L & R speakers out so much. I guess I can just make minor adjustments until it sounds acceptable to me for a while until I can actually move my setup to a proper room. Thanks for this advice. You are like a palm reader.

Some fights aren't worth it.