Help Deciding on the Pre-Amp

[GranteedEV]

Where Audessey is most useful is probably on bass clarity IMO - IE below 300hz

Now in the case of the orions, they're dipoles, so they're definitely less prone to room modes. I think box speakers, including your def techs and any monopole subs, would still benefit from what audessey has to offer because of room coupling. If you're not hearing a difference in the mids and highs, that's probably a good thing. But I bet if you measured the response of your bass with your CURRENT speakers it's probably less "wild".

One thing audessey setup is really sensitive to is microphone height. You really need to put it exactly where your ears are.

That said, I agree that it probably makes minimal difference if your speakers are better.... but any difference is worthwhile.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey GranteedEV, I am curious why you always choose to spell Audyssey the way you do. I wondered out loud a hundred instances ago, since you are always so consistent with the spelling of Audessey but now I just gotta ask, what's up wit dat?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't think he discerned any improvement with room treatments either, so he must have the perfect room and perfect speakers.

Or perhaps my ears are screwed.

My room measurement is 15'W x 16'L x 15'Ceiling.

Maybe it's the 15 ft ceiling.

My experience with Room Corrections has not been great.

First, it was the Harman Receiver, and that was TERRIBLE.

Then when I tried Audyssey twice on the 5308 and once with the AVP-A1, I couldn't even tell a difference.

If I try Audyssey again with the Orions and cannot tell the difference again, then that will be the last straw!

BTW, the Orions should be here in 2 weeks.

 

[GranteedEV]

Hey GranteedEV, I am curious why you always choose to spell Audyssey the way you do. I wondered out loud a hundred instances ago, since you are always so consistent with the spelling of Audessey but now I just gotta ask, what's up wit dat?

good question! I must be oblivious to that y!

Then when I tried Audyssey twice on the 5308 and once with the AVP-A1, I couldn't even tell a difference.

Well 1-2db isn't exactly an eye-popping difference, but it might help when you least know or notice it. It might make a whisper just ever-so-slightly clearer. It might bring a trumpet slightly forward and give it some "pop" that you probably never noticed before. It might take away some sibilance that you just tune out.

If you can hear a difference, sure, go with what you prefer.
But if you can't hear a difference, go with what measures better.
Only way to know what measures better is to measure it yourself

I think you do a good job buying speakers. You probably have reasonably flat in-room response as it is. But even the best rooms can't possibly be flawless.

 

[jostenmeat]

Or perhaps my ears are screwed.

My room measurement is 15'W x 16'L x 15'Ceiling.

Maybe it's the 15 ft ceiling.

My experience with Room Corrections has not been great.

First, it was the Harman Receiver, and that was TERRIBLE.

Then when I tried Audyssey twice on the 5308 and once with the AVP-A1, I couldn't even tell a difference.

If I try Audyssey again with the Orions and cannot tell the difference again, then that will be the last straw!

BTW, the Orions should be here in 2 weeks.

ADTG, sometimes I need to step away from the computer to not die of envy, haha. Orions, 5308, AVP-A1, well you just suck big ones now don't you.

Ok kidding aside, I am under the impression that disposable income is not necessarily the limiting factor in your hobby, and therefore, yes at the risk of throwing away some money, I wonder about the idea of trying to hire a *well regarded* pro to do a calibration for you. Both* the 5308 and the AVP are Audyssey Pro capable. The mic in the Pro kit is quite accurate; for example even if the SVS ASEQ1 as a console is on par in performance with the Audyssey SubEQ, the latter still gets better results due to the superior mic. Well, this is what I think I know. Just an idea on the pro calibrator.

 

[zumbo]

OK, now I get it.