11.x (e.g. Audyssey DSX)

[glock3540]

vthokies,
I would not ever flame you or anyone else about their decisions on their A/V choices.
I had a well set up 5.1/7.1 system for many years and enjoyed it very much.
I really did not know what I was missing until I got my 4810. I am VERY Pleased with my
system and would not hesitate to purchase it again. In fact I am still within my refund "window" on my new purchases and would not dream of returning any item I have purchased. (I do wish I had 11 XPA-1's but that would be some serious overkill for my room.)
My advice may be somewhat tainted because I tend to like things a little different.
I want the "Wow" factor whenever I watch a movie or listen to music. My system
gives me that. Others may not agree and that is OK.
We all have different tastes.
I hope you enjoy the UMC/XMC-1 as I am sure it will be an excellent pre pro.
If either had 9.1/11.1 I would have gone in that direction also.
If any of you are ever in the neighborhood, let me know and maybe you can come
by and listen to the system. I think you would be impressed.
Blessings Everyone,
Brian

[Erwin.BE]

Very few reactions on Audyssey DSX & DPLIIz? I am still biassed to it.

Did some more reading on the subject.
DPLIIz & DSX Height seem to have a very subtle effect, where the DSX Width are said to be a lot more noticed. I want that!

I know ntrain42's opinion (buy better speakers, not more & place the LR wider) but to me, getting good speakers to start with is obvious. I am building 2 giant SW (that are tuned to 13 Hz +/- 0 dB!!). If this goes well, I will be building the LCRS myself also. These would be 100 liter 3-way floorstanders with ScanSpeak drivers, so I suppose it doesn't get much better than that. B&W is charging 5,500€ each for the CT8.2 I am aiming for.

I believe in getting the best speakers as possible for all channels. We all agree that the bose approach (ie, miniature flawed satellites and a sub) is the worst, so I would do quite the opposite. Those floorstanders could be crossed-over as low as 60Hz. Mid-bass should be stunning. Surround LR would be designed higher (but shallower: 1' x 1' floor size) to make them some 180 cm tall (6').

Hence I would make the 2 Widths identical to the 5 LCRS. (120 cm or 4' tall and 1.5' deep and 1' wide) These 7 could manage to be powered by the XPR-7. Gotta find a good reason to get the XPR-7, eh! ;D

Eventually, I would add in ceiling LR Height and a central Back Surround in the form of the B&W CCM7.5. The XPA-3 should do nicely for these. I would choose only 1 Back Surround because this way, only 2 amps are needed in total. And as you can see in the attached pdf, the Surrounds are to be placed relatively far back (120° from axis). This results in a layout with a nice 30° interval between the Center / LR / Width LR fronts and 60° between Width LR front / Surround LR / Surround Back.

One could argue to position the LR wider, but you can't go much further than 30° from axis, where the Width LR are to be 60° from axis

Here's the DIY speaker:
www.troelsgravesen.dk/Jensen.htm

Let the flames come out!
BTW, it goes without saying that I sincerely hope that Emotiva will bring a full-on Reference processor (the one we should not ask about, with the video matrix) with Auddyssey 11.2 capability. Not to choose between Width/Height like Onkyo, but all at the same time

[NorthStar]

Audyssey DSX or something of that sort/better on the next Emotiva pre/pro? ...Heck, why not.
...Or ARC-1 from Sonic Frontiers (Anthem)? ...TRINNOV?

* Audyssey DSX: www.soundandvisionmag.com/tests-reviews/new-products/2009/11/first-listen-audyssey-dsx

[Erwin.BE]

Apr 14, 2010 6:21:49 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

Audyssey DSX: www.soundandvisionmag.com/tests-reviews/new-products/2009/11/first-listen-audyssey-dsx

Off topic about the Denon 4810: look at those distortion figures with 5 vs 7 channels (let alone 9 channels)
hometheatermag.com/receivers/denon_avr-4810ci_av_receiver/index4.html
We can't have that, can we?
But I read comment from an owner that the channels can be re-assigned, so it would be possible to use an XPA-5 or a XPR-7 for the most important channels and use the poor Denon's amps to power the smaller / lesser speakers (Height LR & Surround Back LR). It will handle all 11 channels as a processor, but has only 9 amps.
But it has no balanced outputs ofcourse, which is too bad.

Here's another interesting read, probably posted before:
www.avguide.com/blog/playback-learns-about-audyssey-dsx-part-3

One more:
www.canadahifi.com/dolby_pro_logic_IIz_audyssey_dsx_tech.php

[tjb4141]

If your using a clean amp, the distortion figures means zilch..The Denon products have always been very good and very dependable. I have a 12 year old 3300 that works like a charm. I am going with the 4310 due to the 5 and 7 channel stero modes. There are some other reasons why, but will just leave it at that

[Erwin.BE]

Apr 14, 2010 8:48:15 GMT -5 tjb4141 said:

If your using a clean amp, the distortion figures means zilch.

You mean, use an Emotiva amp? That goes without saying! That's how Emotiva proposes the XPA-3: as a AVR supercharger. Still, 3K$ and yet, distortion figures like that if you go from 5 to 7 channels are a bit disappointing.

[Erwin.BE]

I emailed Dolby to ask if they have plans to release something like Audyssey DSX Width.
Here's the response:
"I suppose you are referring to the RW and LW channels. In the short run (next couple of months) we haven't a new Pro Logic solution, which offers 11.1 with RW and LW. But you can imagine that Dolby is working all the time on new technologies in order to improve the audio experience."
So, reading between the lines, Dolby will propose it's own 11.1 solution about 6 months from today...
It must be a *bleep* to develope a processor or a AVR these days with new A/V formats appearing all the time.