Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Denon microphone

Ken, either disc works. Each have their own nuances, but the choice doesn't really matter. Some folks use both, but that seems like overkill.

I actually prefer it to Avia. But, there allegedly is some problem with the LFE measurements. I've heard you should set the LFE from 81dB to 84dB instead of the 75dB that you set all the other speakers. DVE denies this, but I just don't know.

One thing you can do is calibrate with DVE, and then check your settings with the internal test tones from your receiver. If there is a large discrepancy in your sub settings, go with what you get from the receiver. I didn't find much of a discrepancy, IIRC.

When you say it doesn't calibrate Subs, what are you referencing? My Auto Setup and Room EQ function on the 2805 did set levels, delay, etc.. for the sub channel.. I"m sure there are additional tweaks one can accomplish with SPL and Avia, but to say the AutoSetup does nothing for the sub channel is a bit misleading. The settings for my sub varied for Direct Mode, Stereo, HT, etc...

I'm sorry about that-I should have been more clear. What I should have said is that the EQ does not work for the sub frequencies where it's really needed for most rooms.

It does indeed set distance and channel level, but as I wrote above, I think that's of minor consideration because that's something that can be done manually in 2 minutes.

Many had hoped that the parametric EQ on board could be used to tame room irregularities at bass levels (where it's most needed) and unfortunately the 3805 does not handle this.

Ok, you guys are starting to convince me to get an SPL meter to verify or expand on what my Auto Setup has accomplished. When you use and SPL meter, do you have to have a DVD setup disk (Avia,DVE) or can you just send pink noise around the room and have a big party...?

Well, they aren't required, so that's really up to you. I find the Avia disk really useful because of the breadth of information it contains and the help that it ptovides, both audio and video. Plus the songs they play are kinda snappy. Plus, I think Avia is a little more sub friendly - just an opinion.

At the core of this whole exercise is trying to get your speakers balanced to the same db level. This allows the sound to envelope you rather than hearing the sound come from each/several speakers.

Plus the AVIA or DVE disk can help you optimize your TV video.

YOU ARE MIS INFORMED.

I can tell you because

1. I own a 3805
2. I own a freaking huge SVS PB2-Plus
3. I own the mic.

IT DOES SUBS... Trust me, scared the crap out of me when it started rumbling at low low thunder like frequencies... It does it TWICE just to be sure....

Good Luck!

- D

Sean:
Well, let me state it differently:
I also own a 3805, a sub and have owned the mic. In my room, it did not adequately handle any of the bass issues beyond setting the distance and level. It did not adequately EQ my system and room in any way that improved the sound.

I'll state, without taking a bunch of time to add links and references to this post, that it seems to be generally accepted that the auto setup functions available in today's receivers frequently disappoint users in terms of EQ and is not (yet) the magic one-button solution many hope it will be.

If the Denon mic works for you, wonderful. It does not work as well as a test disk and SPL meter for me, in my room, in my experience. If asked by someone if they should spend $65 on the mic, in my opinion they would be better off with a test disc and meter.

I apologize for not making my opinion clearer in my first post.

Wow... I make a post, go out of town for a day, and come back to 50 responses. Thanks for all the great advice from everyone... I have already calibrated using an Avia disc, and just wasn't that pleased with the result. I'm sure it's purely operator error, as I am pretty new to the world of not-HTIB home theater. Thanks to the person who PMd me and offered to loan me their mic; I'm going to give it a shot, and if it doesn't help, then I'll just reset everything and start over with Avia & my ears, no harm no foul. Plus, I could probably use the experience... Thanks again to everyone!

-- Jason