Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater HT in-progress

The Apple TV unit I use has a loudness limiter switch somewhere in settings but that’s not what I’m after … what I want is something which scans the movie and sets up the volume to an optimal level.

Each movie seems to be recorded at a different level and each streaming service seems to also have a different level. It would be nice to set a level and have the loudness of the nominal dialog follow it regardless of stream or content.

AM/FM radio may be a more relaxing experience for you.:D

Been spending a few hours each night enjoying the HT … sound is still pretty good even without the front and rear heights (ADA1250 has not come back yet). Figure that it will be a couple of months before I can get some time to finish it … but even unfinished it’s pretty nice

I'm curious what difference you may perceive with front heights.

Good question ... The difference for most movies is subtle if there at all ...

For the titles that it helps with ... it mainly shows up as better ambient surround and placement for things flying overhead for multiple seats ... but think I'd have to A/B test it with and without to say how much improvement each seat gets ... (which I haven't done).

One thing I can tell you is currently from a value stand point that a 7.1.2 surround setup gets you 2 seats that are 98% there. That next 1 to 2% IMO is not worth it for most people ... it's over the top expensive ... considering the extra expense of buying a higher channel count prepro, more amps, more speakers, and all the extra stuff that goes with it (wire, connectors, etc). Once that movie starts, unless you have a surround blaring in one of your ears (in a seat off to the side) you'll not notice what is missing. Currently, I've only found a few movies which actually have noticeable object placement and it's not going to make or break the your viewing experience.

For those like me, who get enjoyment from the techno-nerd aspect of it all ... well it's a different story.

Was looking at the state of prepro’s yesterday while traveling. Being a self declared techno-nerd I’m always scanning for what’s new in in the 16 channel+ market. Ogling the likes of Trinnov Attidute32 and wondering what is more desirable … that or my next car …. The big announcement with them is waveforming … placing 2 to 4 subs on one wall to produce a low frequency wave and having another 2 to 4 subs on the opposite wall to null out the reflections …

Emotive is still promising an any day now RMC-1 expansion module to go beyond 16 channels but after several years of collective breath holding most true believers have died from lack of oxygen. I get the impression the RMC-1 is underpowered in the speed department and still not 1000% in the software department … but I’ve never tried one … just an impression from the forums. Watching Emotive over the years has solidified a basic mistrust and that’s a shame as I really want to like them.

Anthem AVM 90 and AVM70 are two units I’m following. More then a few claim Anthem’s ARC (room correction) software does an excellent job. The 90 is an 8K 15.4 (9.4.6) which at $7.5k USD is of interest because it can drive 4 independent subs. The AVM 70 also is 8K but only 15.2 (9.2.6). It has a lessor quality audio chain but at half the price I’d bet it is the better value. Having not heard or tried either that’s just my educated guess … from my reading these had a bit of a rocky road … the AVM70 software wise and the 90 had problems getting out of the gate … they don’t have all the bells and whistles like Auro-3d etc but not a biggie IMO.

The newest and most compelling prepro I’m following is the Marantz AV10. It’s a direct competitor to the AVM 90, with a high quality 15.4 audio chain and list price ($7.5K USD). It has an additional trick in that a set of heights/tops can be switched to another set of speakers for Auro-3d which uses a center height and a overhead VOG (voice of god) speaker. Basically it has all the bells and whistles. Marantz’s units are usually pretty well tested before released and I trust them to just work. It’s default room correction is Audyssey (which I use but have not really dug deep enough into. My understanding is that it’s better then most give it credit for if you take the time understand it). … optionally the AV10 can run Dirac live but with all the options it will cost you another $800 or so.

Right now my AV8805 is holding me … think of it as a slightly noisier, 4k AV10 with 2 less channels, 2 less subs and Audyssey only. By the time I’m ready for that next prepro I’m hoping the AVxxx is out with something so compelling I’d have to buy it … or perhaps I’ll just get a refurb AV10 as my next placeholder to replace my 8805 placeholder

Isn't that like stepping on the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time?

I'm glad my semi-detached home is too small to entertain notions of mo' power and channels. I'm lucky having my bass optimized for every seating position, and with a single sub to boot; that's never been true for any of my previous listening rooms. Every chair is pulled away from the back wall slightly, and that made all the difference.

I imagine that active bass management like Audyssey or Dirac is a worthwhile upgrade for most people.

The Integra has my attention. I don't need as many channels as you though.

Seen Integra AVRs … do they have any prepro’s?

Sorry, not that I'm aware of. The 8.4 is an avr that I'm considering. I've kinda given up on pre-pros. The Marantz 10 is the one I'd get, if I was OK with spending 7K on one.... I'm not. I'm also in favor of a good AVR with some application to use as a backup, should my external amps fail (and they do).

So now, I think I'm just going to focus on AVRs.... Denon has one coming out this spring that also looks promising (X6800), but I really like how the Integra has balanced outs for R/L/C and two independent subs. Doesn't look as if the Denon AVR will get balanced outs.