Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Onkyo 805 and Audysey with Axiom speakers-question

I recently purchased an Onkyo 805 reciver. Should I use this reciever with the Audyssey EQ on or off?? I noticed also that when I use "pure audio" my M60's come to life. When I use another format such as "stereo" they don't sound as great. Don'g get me wrong, they still sound good, but not as good as "pure audio".

My question is if I calibrate my system will the Onkyo Audyssey EQ will it make my speakers sound better. Will the M60's and the rest of my Axiom speakers benefit from this calibration. Does Axiom recommend using these kind of calibration options that come with some receivers?

Thanks a bunch.

jj

Are you using a sub-woofer?
If not, then I think your 805 is configured to use a sub. That would explain why pure audio (which bypass the circuits separating the bass and sending it to the subwoofer) would sound better.

As for EQ, I would not use it.

The only way to tell if you like the Audyssey is to try it, for my room I like the settings Audyssey provided.

Are you familiar with Audyssey? Why would you not use it?

Very familiar with it. It tends to make sound "smoother", which actually reduces the accuracy of instrument attacks. It can sound "better" for a little while (especially when faced with new setup), but you are not hearing what was recorded.

But then again, you never hear exactly what was recorded.

Ssssh! We're not supposed to say things like that!

JJ, I am really interested in knowing how you like your SR805, as I am currently trying to find one in my city for purchase. The 806 will replace the 805 in about a month or two, so it's scarce right now in my area. I really hope I land one though.

As for EQ, there has been quite a bit of discussions here of late about using it or not. The TX version does offer some room corections but I have not personaly heard that in action. I tend to side with EFalardeau on this one, but everyone is different in what they like in sound, so I say give it a try and if you don't like it, use the old fashion manual SPL meter, distance and xover config.

As for Pure Direct, on the 805, it actualy still uses the digital circuitry to output the sound, so it's not 100% analog passthrough as it might sugest. But still it will not add any DSP type processing in that mode.

Looking forward to hear your impressions of the 805.

Cheers,

Riker

Riker,

I got my 805 from ecost.com for $515 at the time. Last time I checked it went up a little. It is a reconditioned unit. I've had it for about 2 weeks. No problems at all. With out the Audyssey EQ it sound great. Yes I have an EP500 connected to it, so I do have a sub. Only thing that is negative about this receiver is that it tends to get a little hot. I did connect some cooling fans to keep it cool when I turn on the unit. Seems to work. The 805 is warm, but not hot as it was before the fans. It likes to breath. This unit is a beast compared to my Yammy RX2400...Here is a review by audioholics on it that may interest you (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/onkyo-tx-sr805/tx-sr805-design/?searchterm=Onkyo%20805).

I was asking regardign the Audyssey because I do not want may Axioms to sound muted or smoothed out. Right now I hear every little detail on music and movies, especially with TrueHD and DTS Master HD-DVD's and Blu ray.

When Axiom tests their speakers do they test them with out an EQ or with one? Maybe this is something Allen can answer.

I will test it out as you recommend. I can always rest the unit or just adjust everything manually.

jj

JJ,

Unfortunately for me, I live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and if I order electronics from the states on the internet, I don't get any warranty support. So, that's a big bummer for me. To give you an idea, I was quoted a " special , going to be discontinued " price by my local Onkyo dealer of $1,250.00 and that's a DEAL, it was selling for $1,500.00 when it came out.. so ya, we get totaly hosed when it comes to elctronics.

The Audyssey MultEQ XT will calculate via 8 readings of different locations the best overall configuration and corrections based on it's software. Once the calibration has been done, it will become your default sound. If you like that sound, keep it, if you don't, then do a manual configuration. I really can't comment on the actual results of a Audyssey config because I have never heard one. I have read that for some, mostly those who are familiar with manually calibrating their systems, the Audyssey config did not sound correct to them.

Axiom speakers have been designed and used to be tested right here in my own backward of Ottawa at the National Research Center in their anachoic chamber which is as flat as you can get..so to answer your question, definitevely NO the Axioms were not tested with EQ, quite the contrary. They even hang a subwoofer on a 30 ft pole (I think it's 30ft, but it could be higher) outside in the great outdoors and take measurements. No EQ there !.

Everything I have read about these newer Onkyos is that they run hot..but does it clip ? or does it shutdown completely because of heat ? or does it keep cranking out the tunes all night with no problems, except you can fry an egg on it for breakfast ?

If the heat does not negatively affect the sound or the operation of the receiver, then I can live with that. I'll just make sure I give it enough room to breathe.

Thanks for the link !

Cheers,

Riker