Setting up Denon AVRX6400 with 5.1.4 Atmos and Bi-amp Front speaker

[salil_kh]

Hi,

I have been using Sony AV in 5.1 mode with Bi-Amp for the front speakers for past few years. I am in the process of re-wiring the lounge and setting up an Atmos system with 4 ceiling speakers. I am keen to use the bi-amp on my front speakers, however, prefer to have the 4 Atmos ceiling speakers connected as well. However, 7.1.4 or 5.1.4 with Bi-Amp does not seem to be a feasible option on either Denon AVR6400 or AVR4400, though they both have 11/9 channels. I looked around in Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha - with no success!

Does anyone have an experience setting this up either with Denon or with Yamaha RXA3070 or RXA2070 with Bi-Amp? Is there a way to achieve 5.1.4 with Bi-Amp? Is using external power amplifier an option - and in which case how does the volume control in the external amp work in tandem with the AV ? I haven't used external amps earlier, so their interconnects with an AV receivers is still a mystery for me!

Main purpose for the system is in watching movies. We do have parties at home and so it is also used for playing loud music! The room is 17 feet by 12 feet. I use Q-Aquostics 3050 (front speakers), 3090C (center) and plan to use Dali Phantom E50 for ceiling speakers.

Given the options, if I were to go for a compromise, which is a better choice? Atmos 5.1.2 with Bi-Amp or Atmos 5.1.4 without Bi-amp? I will still have access to Surround Back, so could have 7.1.2 with Bi-Amp as well, though I will miss a pair of the ceiling speakers.

For me the clarity in music and the details in more important than the loudness/volume.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Salil

 

[PENG]

Hi,

I have been using Sony AV in 5.1 mode with Bi-Amp for the front speakers for past few years. I am in the process of re-wiring the lounge and setting up an Atmos system with 4 ceiling speakers. I am keen to use the bi-amp on my front speakers, however, prefer to have the 4 Atmos ceiling speakers connected as well. However, 7.1.4 or 5.1.4 with Bi-Amp does not seem to be a feasible option on either Denon AVR6400 or AVR4400, though they both have 11/9 channels. I looked around in Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha - with no success!

Does anyone have an experience setting this up either with Denon or with Yamaha RXA3070 or RXA2070 with Bi-Amp? Is there a way to achieve 5.1.4 with Bi-Amp? Is using external power amplifier an option - and in which case how does the volume control in the external amp work in tandem with the AV ? I haven't used external amps earlier, so their interconnects with an AV receivers is still a mystery for me!

Main purpose for the system is in watching movies. We do have parties at home and so it is also used for playing loud music! The room is 17 feet by 12 feet. I use Q-Aquostics 3050 (front speakers), 3090C (center) and plan to use Dali Phantom E50 for ceiling speakers.

Given the options, if I were to go for a compromise, which is a better choice? Atmos 5.1.2 with Bi-Amp or Atmos 5.1.4 without Bi-amp? I will still have access to Surround Back, so could have 7.1.2 with Bi-Amp as well, though I will miss a pair of the ceiling speakers.

For me the clarity in music and the details in more important than the loudness/volume.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Salil

It does not seem like you have reasons to biamp at all as it will gain you nothing but potentially trouble. With those speakers, you really need to get a couple of subwoofers, something like the SVS PB2000 or even PB1000 (depending where you are located, there may be lower cost alternatives) will do for that size of room. Then I would suggest you set the crossover frequencies for all of the speakers to 100 Hz or higher in order to let the very nice made in Japan Denon and Audssey to do their best.

If after running Audyssey, you find that when watching your favorite movies you need to turn the volume pass say -10 all the time, then you may consider adding a 2 channel or 3 channel amp for the L,C,R speakers. Connecting to an external amp is very easy, you simply wire the "pre out" of the AVR to the inputs of the external amp using RCA interconnects. The Denon/Audyssey's auto set up routine will take care of balancing the levels of all channels.

 

[salil_kh]

Thanks PENG for the quick reply. Incidentally, I was doing research on sub-woofers! I live in UK. I was not sure which ones go well with this setup. Thanks for your suggestions.

Again, given the room size and the set up ( I think I will go with 5.2.4 for now) should I go for Denon AVR4400 or AVR6400. I might potentially add couple of surround backs in the future, but not sure if the additional price is worth it. I guess, once I get the sub-woofers and set the crossover frequencies high enough, AVR4400 would be do the job!

Regards,
Salil

 

[PENG]

Thanks PENG for the quick reply. Incidentally, I was doing research on sub-woofers! I live in UK. I was not sure which ones go well with this setup. Thanks for your suggestions.

Again, given the room size and the set up ( I think I will go with 5.2.4 for now) should I go for Denon AVR4400 or AVR6400. I might potentially add couple of surround backs in the future, but not sure if the additional price is worth it. I guess, once I get the sub-woofers and set the crossover frequencies high enough, AVR4400 would be do the job!

Regards,
Salil

Depends on the price difference. Can't you get the X6300H at clearance price?

 

[PENG]

How about the price of the SR7011/7012, are they competitive in the U.K.?

 

[salil_kh]

Denon AVR 6400H £2100, AVR 6300H - £1200, AVR4400 - £1300! Marantz - SR7012 - £1500, SR7011 - £900! Quite a range!

I guess SR7011 looks to be the most value for money ( it is on offer - actual price was £1500).

Any thoughts!

 

[PENG]

Denon AVR 6400H £2100, AVR 6300H - £1200, AVR4400 - £1300! Marantz - SR7012 - £1500, SR7011 - £900! Quite a range!

I guess SR7011 looks to be the most value for money ( it is on offer - actual price was £1500).

Any thoughts!

Agree, that's the one to get. The advantage of the AVR-X6300H is just a little more (but practically negligible in any meaningful way) powerful and is made in Japan so have better perceived QA and reliability but not worth £300 more. So try the SR7011 first if you can get a better deal, if not, then the AVR-X6300H.

 

[salil_kh]

Thanks. AVR-X6300H also looks like a good choice - made in Japan, 11 channels, 205W! In case I need to use an additional channel, have that power in the kitty!

Thanks for you key inputs.