REVIEW: Denon AVR-4306 Receiver with HDMI

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/Denon-AVR-4306.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 94px" alt=[DenonAVR4306] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/DenonAVR4306_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Denon’s AVR-4306 was one of the most anticipated products of the year. With the AVR-4806 being out of reach for some and the AVR-3806 being perceived as a mid-fi product, the Audiophile community had expectations of where they could find an affordable, truly powerhouse 7.1 receiver. The AVR-4306 hits what I think of as an upper-mid-fi price point desired by so many of these quality and feature-conscious consumers. I wanted to get a good look at this receiver, play around with it, and find out exactly how well it would perform (and whether or not it was worth the extra money over its best-selling nephew, the AVR-3806.)

[Read the Review]

 

[avliner]

Hi Clint,

congrats for such an excellent review!!
Think you're right in a certain manner, as the 4306 seems to be more comparable to the Yammi 2600, due to its video capabilities.

No doubt that if you can afford it, you won't need anything better than this beast, for a long, long time.

Once again - we, the consumers - are the winners on this never-ending battle for the AV nirvana!

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[westcott]

Great review!

Between the USB, Ethernet, and DenonLinkIII with SACD and DVD Audio support, what is there not to like? I would have prefered HD Radio support over XM but thats a small bone to pick at.

Thanks again!

 

[Nick250]

Clint, thanks for the review. During your listening tests you state that you had the Audyssey room EQ system turned off most of the time. Does this mean you went with not only disabled EQ but also went manual level settings, large/small settings etc.? Or is it an all or nothing situation. As you can tell from my signature below I have a 3806, but I have not used the auto setup functions at all so far. To my ears my system is a bit on the bright side so a test of the Audyssey system seems to be in order so to see if that can be resolved or mitigated to some degree without having to resort to room treatments.

All that being said after reading your review it seems to me that the 3806 performs pretty equally to the 4306 if on has no need or desires for the extra features the 4306 has. As is my case. Is this a reasonable concludion?

Regards, Nick

[Edit: Review attributed to the correct writer. - Admin]

 

[Rex]

Instead of using the 5 analog outputs for DVD-A, how would you get total digital linkage?

 

[Smackrabbit]

Instead of using the 5 analog outputs for DVD-A, how would you get total digital linkage?

Using DenonLink III, you can have a single cable solution for transporting SACD/DVD-A/DD/DTS signals to the reciever from a compatible Denon DVD player (A 3910 or 5910 in this case). Of course, there are rumors of a new Denon DVD player series being anounced soon, possibly with DenonLink in the 29xx model this time which would make me likely to purchase that one.

 

[CharlyD]

They almost got it right!

This does indeed look like a very solid contender in the segment. But... with a few more steps, they could have had a solid winner. The AVR4306 utilizes MS Play for Sure and supports mp3, wma and wav files. Why wasn't support for wmv, vc-1 or mpeg4 video files also included? I have little doubt that downloads of DVDs, even in high def, will replace discs in the not too distant future. But what will these movies be downloaded to? Your PC of course. And how do you get the movie to your large, flat panel HDTV with powerful, high fidelity, multichannel sound? MS would like you to include a PC in your entertainment center and will very likely be the only viable way to do this for some time. Unless, of course, the CE industry figures out what a threat this is to their livlihood and includes the necessary functionality in their devices. Another miss is that the Denon does not convert 192 kHz, 24-bit audio from the HDMI input. HD-DVD or Blu-Ray DVD will support 8ch of uncompressed audio in that format, and that will be the ne plus ultra of audio sources when available. Unless the player outputs that uncompressed audio on its 1394 or Denon Link, you won't be able to get it into the AVR-4306. I'll bet that when Denon introduces a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player, it will include the proprietary Denon Link interface.

 

[Rex]

Using DenonLink III, you can have a single cable solution for transporting SACD/DVD-A/DD/DTS signals to the reciever from a compatible Denon DVD player (A 3910 or 5910 in this case). Of course, there are rumors of a new Denon DVD player series being anounced soon, possibly with DenonLink in the 29xx model this time which would make me likely to purchase that one.

Thanks, I appreciate the info.

 

[jgirado]

Denon + Audyssey MultEQ and AV123 subwoofer w/ room EQ interaction

Based on Audioholics similar reviews & recommendations I went ahead and bought a Denon AVR-4806 and a Yamaha DVD C950 (very very happy). Sorry to posting this question in the AVR-4306 thread but Clint DeBoer’s excellent review actually touch the topics I’m about to ask:

Now it's time to buy the subwoofer (I already own a set of Monitor Audio Gold References 2 x GR60, 2 x GRFX and 1 x GRLCR).

I premium a non-intrusive small size subwoofer (small listening place), and it seems the AV123 ULW-10 & UFW-10 (reviewed also in Audioholics) can fit the bill. I already understand the importance of a room EQ (the main reason I bought the Denon 4806 with Audyssey MultEQ given my weird listening room shape). In my case Audyssey MultEQ really works for the better.

My question is (sorry for the long introduction):

- It worth buying a subwoofer with parametric room EQ incorporated given the fact that my receiver already has one (Audyssey MultEQ) which seems to work quit well and can take care of anomalies in the room response freq including the low ends? If not, then I can spend the extra money for a better subwoofer in one of the other on-line places Audioholics recommend.

Any filter in the path of the subwoofer can lead in change in phase and add freq delays (and error in calculated distance by Audyssey). Per Audyssey MultEQ or LFE recommendation I think I have to defeat any subwoofer filter and this EQ is one of them.

I confuse: Can somebody help me?

Thanks in advance,
Javier

 

[Audioholics]

You cannot use Audyssey to manually EQ your sub effectively, so an onboard parametric EQ or notch filter would be a good thing to have regardless.

As for subwoofer distance/delay settings - do them manually as we have not really found any system that can accurately measure low frequency with enough fidelity to set the distance dead on. If you intend to use Audyssey an on-board parametric EQ should be set and engaged before/while running the system - not disabled. This is assuming you have already placed the subwoofer correctly in the best position and correctly adjusted the EQ or notch filter for best elimination of the primary room mode(s).

During your listening tests you state that you had the Audyssey room EQ system turned off most of the time. Does this mean you went with not only disabled EQ but also went manual level settings, large/small settings etc.?

During the A-B I simply turned Audyssey on and off, but for the listening sessions I went back and manually configured my levels, crossover and speaker sizes.

 

[jgirado]

Audyssey interacting with Subwoofer EQ

Dear Clint,

I really thank you for your prompt response. I was "this" close to buy a subwoofer without EQ for a similar price!.

As for the Audyssey, I have a Tru-Laser Measurer and the distance to my lisening position (first measure) are exactly the same reported by the AVR-4806. Also it automatically set my main and center speakers as 'large' and the sorrounds as small. Perfect! Of course no crossover since it knows I don't have (yet) a subwoofer.

For multi-channel music I prefer the the 'front' setting, but with movie it seems 'Audyssey' has more clarity in the dialogues. Flat and off, well, something is missing.

So far, can't complain.

Thanks again for your excellent(s) reviews (well, all alcoholics.com reviews).
Javier

 

[Geoh]

Great review of the 4306 Clint.
I think you nailed it on the head concerning Audyssey, my 5805 sounds better with Audyssey turned off.
For some reason Audyssey not only messes with the high end frequencies, taking away too much air in the sound, it also must have some sort of Subsonic filter as the lower bass frequencies are getting rolled off rather drastically. Not a good thing to say the least.
What's wrong with Audyssey?

geoh

 

[goodman]

This does indeed look like a very solid contender in the segment. But... with a few more steps, they could have had a solid winner. The AVR4306 utilizes MS Play for Sure and supports mp3, wma and wav files. Why wasn't support for wmv, vc-1 or mpeg4 video files also included? I have little doubt that downloads of DVDs, even in high def, will replace discs in the not too distant future. But what will these movies be downloaded to? Your PC of course. And how do you get the movie to your large, flat panel HDTV with powerful, high fidelity, multichannel sound? MS would like you to include a PC in your entertainment center and will very likely be the only viable way to do this for some time. Unless, of course, the CE industry figures out what a threat this is to their livlihood and includes the necessary functionality in their devices. Another miss is that the Denon does not convert 192 kHz, 24-bit audio from the HDMI input. HD-DVD or Blu-Ray DVD will support 8ch of uncompressed audio in that format, and that will be the ne plus ultra of audio sources when available. Unless the player outputs that uncompressed audio on its 1394 or Denon Link, you won't be able to get it into the AVR-4306. I'll bet that when Denon introduces a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player, it will include the proprietary Denon Link interface.

Another thing they didn't do was furnish an HDMI connection that would output 1080p video. According to the official Denon website, you don't get HDMI 1080p output with the $2,000.00 AVR 4306, the $3,500.00 4806, or the $6,000.00 5805! In order to output 1080p, you have to purchase the new AVR-5805 Mark II for $7,000.00.
So, if you're even remotely interested in 1080p playback from an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disc, and you must buy now, you'd better cough-up $7K.

 

[audyssey]

Javier,

Clint is exactly right. Audyssey MultEQ is not a manual method of fixing things so it can't be used to manually fix the sub or any other channel. It's also important to point out that MultEQ is not a parametric equalizer at all. It does not use bands nor filters used in parametric EQ. The OSD in the reeceivers is a rough representation of what the MultEQ filters are doing, but remember that they use 512 points and cover many more frequencies than what is depicted on the display. Furthermore, the OSD doesn't show the subwoofer correction and so it's difficult to see what the filter is really doing there. We are working on some ideas of how to address this in future products.

The answer to your question regarding a sub with parametric EQ is that it will work in conjunction with MultEQ just fine. It will be most effective if there are huge notches or peaks at one frequency in your room that are beyond the limits of correction that MultEQ applies in the subwoofer (+9 dB to –20 dB). It's not uncommon to have standing wave problems that show as deep 15 dB or more notches. Applying boost at those frequencies is not recommended since they are likely "black holes" that are caused by cancellations from standing waves. The reality is that those can't be fixed and are best left alone.

Best regards,
Chris
CTO Audyssey Laboratories

 

[goodman]

This does indeed look like a very solid contender in the segment. But... with a few more steps, they could have had a solid winner. The AVR4306 utilizes MS Play for Sure and supports mp3, wma and wav files. Why wasn't support for wmv, vc-1 or mpeg4 video files also included? I have little doubt that downloads of DVDs, even in high def, will replace discs in the not too distant future. But what will these movies be downloaded to? Your PC of course. And how do you get the movie to your large, flat panel HDTV with powerful, high fidelity, multichannel sound? MS would like you to include a PC in your entertainment center and will very likely be the only viable way to do this for some time. Unless, of course, the CE industry figures out what a threat this is to their livlihood and includes the necessary functionality in their devices. Another miss is that the Denon does not convert 192 kHz, 24-bit audio from the HDMI input. HD-DVD or Blu-Ray DVD will support 8ch of uncompressed audio in that format, and that will be the ne plus ultra of audio sources when available. Unless the player outputs that uncompressed audio on its 1394 or Denon Link, you won't be able to get it into the AVR-4306. I'll bet that when Denon introduces a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player, it will include the proprietary Denon Link interface.

You will also not be able to output 1080p from your HDMI connection, unless you spend $7K on the AVR-5805 Mark II. So, if you're even remotely interested in HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, don't bother with the AVR-4306, the 4806, or even the 5805, unless you intend to output 1080p by bypassing your receiver.

 

[zildjian]

Another thing they didn't do was furnish an HDMI connection that would output 1080p video. According to the official Denon website, you don't get HDMI 1080p output with the $2,000.00 AVR 4306, the $3,500.00 4806, or the $6,000.00 5805! In order to output 1080p, you have to purchase the new AVR-5805 Mark II for $7,000.00.
So, if you're even remotely interested in 1080p playback from an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disc, and you must buy now, you'd better cough-up $7K.

Looking at the Denon site, it lists "1080p HDMI switching" under the specs for the 4306, 3806, and even the more budget 2807. Don't know if that means it will actually output 1080p, but that makes me think it might. It could just be a typo on Denon's site; I've emailed them about typos they've made before on their site.

Anybody know for sure about the 1080p output spec?

 

[smulth]

Audyssey Multeq Xt

I own the 4306.
It's hard to express how impressed I am other than to say "amazing".
What i don't understand is how some people think that manual parametric configuration which only corrects 9 pioints is going to improve the sound better than MULTEQ which corrects 512 points, how could that be possible, it corrects 503 more points. five hundred and three.
thats a lot of points,
may be i don't know what I'm talking about
maybe I will just let AUDYSSEY do my talking for me
maybe your hearing the sound correctly for the first time
and you don't understand that thats the way its supposed to sound.
If you have been looking at the color gray for years
and think it's the dark blue,
you just wont accept dark blue when you see it,
because you "know" gray is dark blue.
Do i believe that AUDYSSEY MULTEQ can be improved, as much as i believe manual configuration has already been improved with MULTEQ.

AUDYSSEY MULTEQ ROCKS.

 

[gene]

RE: Audyssey

When I first tested Audyssey on my 5805 it didn't do anything below 100Hz. It was later confirmed there was an implementation problem on the 5805 and thus a new firmware was released to fix it.

I received the new firmware right before moving and didn't have adequate time to test and measure the results. However, I ran the calibration a couple of times and found it tapered off low and high end response much like Clint described in his review. I didn't try any other EQ setting other than "Audyssey" however.

Once I get my new reference speakers, I plan on doing a very controlled and detailed article exploring all modes, calibration techniques, etc.

This is definately the most advanced EQ system we have tested but GREAT care must be taken to set it up correctly and NOT blindly accept all of its settings or end results.

Stay tuned for more and I appreciate everyones patience while we gear up to explore this topic in greater detail.

 

[ht_addict]

You will also not be able to output 1080p from your HDMI connection, unless you spend $7K on the AVR-5805 Mark II. So, if you're even remotely interested in HD-DVD or Blu-Ray, don't bother with the AVR-4306, the 4806, or even the 5805, unless you intend to output 1080p by bypassing your receiver.

There will be an upgrade for the 4806 down the road. Personally I would hold off till a HDMI 1.3 upgrade comes along to allow the 4806 to do the processing of the new audio formats.

 

[gene]

RE: HDMI & 1080p

Following models use HDMI 1.1 and pass 1080p:

AVR-3806
AVR-4306
AVR-2807
AVR-5805MkII
AVR-4806CI – June release

Also the upgrades to 5805 and 4806 which start next month will add 1080p compatible HDMI inputs/output...