Why does my theatre sound so MUCH better?

[mpompey]

Did the Dolby Digital format/ specs change over the last 7 years?

I recently replaced my old JVC 884VBK DD receiver with a Yamaha 1500. Besides the increase in power, YPAO, and finally getting DTS and DD EX, I didn't expect to hear a huge difference in sound. After all, I'd calibrated my JVC with Avia and test tones, to the exact same levels as I did with the Yamaha.

But was I wrong! It sounds like I have a whole new setup. I've spent the last few days just re-watching DVDs, in both DD and DTS, and hearing things I never heard before. The tank in Appleseed, gunships in Black Hawk Down, come alive in the room. Even my wife noticed the difference. And she usually thinks everything is just too loud. But she was amazed at the difference.

But for the life of me I can't imagine why its so much of a differnce. Dolby Digital is Dolby Digital right?

 

[mnnc]

Did the Dolby Digital format/ specs change over the last 7 years?

I recently replaced my old JVC 884VBK DD receiver with a Yamaha 1500. Besides the increase in power, YPAO, and finally getting DTS and DD EX, I didn't expect to hear a huge difference in sound. After all, I'd calibrated my JVC with Avia and test tones, to the exact same levels as I did with the Yamaha.

But was I wrong! It sounds like I have a whole new setup. I've spent the last few days just re-watching DVDs, in both DD and DTS, and hearing things I never heard before. The tank in Appleseed, gunships in Black Hawk Down, come alive in the room. Even my wife noticed the difference. And she usually thinks everything is just too loud. But she was amazed at the difference.

But for the life of me I can't imagine why its so much of a differnce. Dolby Digital is Dolby Digital right?

You traded in the Chevette for a Vette! You simply purchased newer, better equipment that was long overdue. I'm/we're happy for you. Have you upgraded spkr's? Do that and you will probably s#^t your pants. Got sub? Welcome to mid-fi. It only gets better!

 

[mtrycrafts]

Did the Dolby Digital format/ specs change over the last 7 years?

I recently replaced my old JVC 884VBK DD receiver with a Yamaha 1500. Besides the increase in power, YPAO, and finally getting DTS and DD EX, I didn't expect to hear a huge difference in sound. After all, I'd calibrated my JVC with Avia and test tones, to the exact same levels as I did with the Yamaha.

But was I wrong! It sounds like I have a whole new setup. I've spent the last few days just re-watching DVDs, in both DD and DTS, and hearing things I never heard before. The tank in Appleseed, gunships in Black Hawk Down, come alive in the room. Even my wife noticed the difference. And she usually thinks everything is just too loud. But she was amazed at the difference.

But for the life of me I can't imagine why its so much of a differnce. Dolby Digital is Dolby Digital right?

Well, yes, DD is DD, but the new receiver has another channel, it may have full frequency band in the rears unlike the early ones. And, you have that YPAO. Plus, you are relying on memory, not a careful side by side comparison.

 

[JVC]

You traded in the Chevette for a Vette! You simply purchased newer, better equipment

That's a matter of opinion! And my opinion is different (as you can tell by my screen name).
You didn't necessarily get BETTER sound, as much as you got DIFFERENT sound. Yamahas tend to have a very bright sound, that JVC does not. I, and a good number of other people, don't care for the bright sound, that some receivers and speakers produce. The brightness fatigues our ears, after listening for awhile. Will give me a headache, if I listen too long.

Some people prefer a bright sound. You must be one of those people.
So, it's really comes down to personal preference. That's why a lot of us will tell people to go listen to different gear, instead of saying that you should buy a particular brand. Most people just suggest you buy the same thing they have, because that's what they have experience with.

When someone wants a brand suggestion, and wants bang for their buck, I suggest JVC. If they have a big budget, and wants a receiver that works well with about any speaker, I suggest Denon. If they say they like the bright sound, I suggest Yamaha receivers, and the small Klipsch speakers. Big Klipsch speakers are a different story.................
Good luck, and enjoy your new receiver.

 

[Johnd]

Not to mention DTS (the best!) and DD ex. These two formats add a whole other spectrum to HT listening. Additionally, some soundtracks are just better, and some producers are paying far more attention to the channeling of their soundtracks.

 

[mpompey]

JVC guy didn't mean to ruffle and feathers. Just to let you know I still have a JVC CD/Changer in my car does that still count?

BUt as far as brightness my old JVC was alot brighter than my new Yamaha. My Yamaha definitely has a warmer tone than the old JVC. Does JVC make pro-sumer mid-fi models? I bought the Yamaha off of the recommendations of a coupe of co-workers, Clint's review of the 2500, and Home Theatre's review of the RX-1400 and the comparable Denon product.

I really liked the YPAO and the ability to set the parametric eq manually on all of the channels. I think that has made a tremendous difference in the sound quality.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Yamahas tend to have a very bright sound,

Then, the frequency response of the Yam would reflect this. It doesn't, it is pretty flat. So, it is just urban legend.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I really liked the YPAO and the ability to set the parametric eq manually on all of the channels. I think that has made a tremendous difference in the sound quality.

That is where you noticed the difference. It automatically EQd your system whereas the other didn't. So, you didn't compare an apple to an apple.

 

[JVC]

No one ruffled my feathers.........
It's not urban legend to my ears. But everybody is different. The yamahas I've heard, sounded very bright to me. My jvc doesn't sound bright at all. Maybe the difference is my speakers. I use Allison speakers, for my mains.

I have also read, from quite a few different people's posts (at other forums), that the YPAO feature will get it fairly close, but still needs to be manually adjusted, with a disc and SPL meter. If that's the case, why even bother with a feature that probably added a significant amount to the price of the receiver? I mean, if you still have to break out the disc and meter, why not do it to start with? It'll only take about an extra minute, to do it from scratch...........

 

[annunaki]

The reason people still break out the disc and meter is usually to double check, as well as fine tune the EQ portion of the setup. Not necessarily to adjust volume levels.

 

[mpompey]

I used the YPAO feature and then broke out my Rives and set all my settings manually. The YPAO got it close enough for "government work", but Rives and my meter took care of everything else.

Are there other receivers out there that let you set a parametric eq on all the channels like the Yamaha receivers do?

 

[mtrycrafts]

It's not urban legend to my ears. But everybody is different. The yamahas I've heard, sounded very bright to me. My jvc doesn't sound bright at all. Maybe the difference is my speakers. I use Allison speakers, for my mains.

Yes, everyone is different, perception is different, the brain interactivity is different. That is where the problem is, not the ears. But, in ether case, this can be measured without bias interfering, infusing unreliable info.

I'd like to see the Fr specs on the yams you listened to. I bet they were flay, no matter which speakers you attach. But then, the speakers have their response too.

 

[Pyrrho]

...
I really liked the YPAO and the ability to set the parametric eq manually on all of the channels. I think that has made a tremendous difference in the sound quality.

Yes, adjusting an eq for all channels will make it sound different. You have provided the reason why your new receiver sounds different from your old one. There are many urban legends about how different brands sound, but you have hit on a real difference.