Anthem AVM70 Review (AV Processor)

[GXAlan]

I thought the low level was important for you.

It totally is important to me, but
A) having published a lot of measurement's too, I know how hard it is when it’s just for fun. It would be hypocritical of me to so “demanding” if the general readership doesn’t care (so I do try to get people to care)

If you actually look at my HTP-1 post, with each successive post you can see me trying to do fewer and fewer measurements since it does take time!

B) I bought the HTP-1 late last year based upon a hunch that it would be good and it turned out to be a good one (that low level SINAD was pretty good if you didn’t need the full 4V).

So at this point, I am done with the processor upgrade cycle and it’s more about waiting for Dirac ART. So the measurements don’t really impact me other than making me feel good about buying a HTP-1.

So it’s more academic for me at this point.

 

[peng]

It totally is important to me, but
A) having published a lot of measurement's too, I know how hard it is when it’s just for fun. It would be hypocritical of me to so “demanding” if the general readership doesn’t care (so I do try to get people to care)

If you actually look at my HTP-1 post, with each successive post you can see me trying to do fewer and fewer measurements since it does take time!

B) I bought the HTP-1 late last year based upon a hunch that it would be good and it turned out to be a good one (that low level SINAD was pretty good if you didn’t need the full 4V).

So at this point, I am done with the processor upgrade cycle and it’s more about waiting for Dirac ART. So the measurements don’t really impact me other than making me feel good about buying a HTP-1.

So it’s more academic for me at this point.

Lots of those bench measurements are academic to me anyway, but I like it even if it is academic. I am still serious considering spending $1,000 (CAD) on a QA403 to satisfy my curiosity (again, just academic...), the only thing holding me back is not the money, but what am I going to measure after I finish measuring my own preamps and power amps, or even dacs, though I am not too keen on measuring dacs, knowing that they will exceed the specs of the QA403, and I am not going to buy an AP lol..

 

[peng]

Here's a comparison of FW78 and FW80, in the deep bass range:
Both curves were for the "untweaked" conditions, with extensive tweaking (after numerous trial and error attempts), the one when done under FW78 is still significantly better at this point, but I need the house for myself to really do my best. Regardless, at this point, my conclusion is that the FW bug, if we can call it that for now, has not been an issue to those who would check with their own measurements and then take corrective action accordingly. For the very trusting users, they might not know what they miss, in the bass area only.

It is not exactly apples to apples, but I did try my best to always use the same mic patterns and positions but some variations in the results are still going to be there regardless.

I am with Dj7675, who said it well "no matter what room correction you are using, some post measurements are necessary to confirm things are working properly."

 

[peng]

Just to add, subjectively, the tweaked curve with FW 80 sounds great, more crystal clear kind of overall signature (no I don't believe it's a fact but subjectively I like it better).

 

[MacCali]

The great marketing lines have convinced many there is an audible difference, so people hear them.
Until their belief's are put to the test under tightly bias controlled DBT listening procedures.
Then the differences magically disappear.

Indeed, but typically I’m not being told anything. It’s just my personal experience.

I just posted on the AVM90 review that basically a few extras, which to me are currently useless or not applicable and also most likely inaudible, saved me 3700 vs the current sales price of the AVM90.

The company and reviewers were all about how much grander the 90 is over the 70. Even when the differences could be utilized I’m not sure 3700 or more would justify it for me. Even outside my case the 70 is 3800 now I believe, so that’s still 2900 to have a few differences.

@peng youre far more knowledgeable than I am. I mean from the looks of it, objectivity wise, it’s a large amount of money for the AVM 90 to justify all those things.

You just compare the graphs and can give your feedback. But that’s what I thought. In my use case scenario, I am only missing one function that the 90 has that the 70 doesn’t and only for future use. I have no way to utilize it and probably won’t for at least 3-4 years. *In regards to post #692 your last paragraph.

 

[peng]

You just compare the graphs and can give your feedback. But that’s what I thought. In my use case scenario, I am only missing one function that the 90 has that the 70 doesn’t and only for future use. I have no way to utilize it and probably won’t for at least 3-4 years. *In regards to post #692 your last paragraph.

4 independent sub outs are desirable, but if one has rooms that could place two groups of two in a more or less symmetrical way, by Y-connecting two groups of two will achieve just as good results even if using 4 sub outs will likely yield better looking curves (though I doubt it would differ by too much).

 

[Sal1950]

The company and reviewers were all about how much grander the 90 is over the 70. Even when the differences could be utilized I’m not sure 3700 or more would justify it for me.

I always considered getting 4 subwoofers running here, I do have a pair of older HSU STW-2 subs that should mate pretty well with the 2 SVS SB2000 I'm running now. Four just has to be twice as good as 4 just wasting away. Right? LOL

 

[MacCali]

I always considered getting 4 subwoofers running here, I do have a pair of older HSU STW-2 subs that should mate pretty well with the 2 SVS SB2000 I'm running now. Four just has to be twice as good as 4 just wasting away. Right? LOL

Indeed, but with my current living situation I can’t even have one sub. I’ve been debating getting a pair of dual opposing subs to minimize vibration which is my issue. But even then I am assuming I would still probably need them low. Hence why I said 3-4 years down the line things maybe different.

I know many home theater enthusiasts may think that’s crazy not to have a sub or multiple. But my room is fairly small, and it’s dedicated for high volume but not earth shattering rumble. I run 11 speakers now and before I had 5 ch and honestly my room was getting good enough bass for me even on that setup.

 

[Sal1950]

I know many home theater enthusiasts may think that’s crazy not to have a sub or multiple.

We all have to live within the limitations of our circumstances, that's just life.

 

[peng]

Indeed, but with my current living situation I can’t even have one sub. I’ve been debating getting a pair of dual opposing subs to minimize vibration which is my issue. But even then I am assuming I would still probably need them low. Hence why I said 3-4 years down the line things maybe different.

I know many home theater enthusiasts may think that’s crazy not to have a sub or multiple. But my room is fairly small, and it’s dedicated for high volume but not earth shattering rumble. I run 11 speakers now and before I had 5 ch and honestly my room was getting good enough bass for me even on that setup.

If your speakers are truly, or nearly full range, say 25 to 28Hz Hz -3 dB, you can dk very well without a sub, especially if you are getting help from the room at below 30 Hz.

 

[StigErik]

You will loose the LFE channel without a sub.

 

[Steve356]

You will loose the LFE channel without a sub.

This is not true. If Front L & R speakers are set to Large, then LFE should be passed to them. The only AVR/Processor that I know of that doesn't do this is the current range of Arcam models, but that is an acknowledged bug in the firmware.

 

[StigErik]

You might be correct, but I will check on my AVM 70. Anyway I suspect the LFE will be 10 dB lower if its redirected to the fronts?

 

[Steve356]

You might be correct, but I will check on my AVM 70. Anyway I suspect the LFE will be 10 dB lower if its redirected to the fronts?

It will definitely work on your AVM70 as I have a MRX740 using the same firmware and I can assure you that LFE is redirected correctly and is not 10dB lower. Not sure where you are getting this information from.

 

[StigErik]

I stand corrected. You are of course right, and I cant really remember why I though the LFE would be missed. It might have been that I remember some DVD players did that when downmixing to stereo. Anyway - sorry for my misinformation.

 

[Steve356]

I stand corrected. You are of course right, and I cant really remember why I though the LFE would be missed. It might have been that I remember some DVD players did that when downmixing to stereo. Anyway - sorry for my misinformation.

Not a problem.

 

[MacCali]

If your speakers are truly, or nearly full range, say 25 to 28Hz Hz -3 dB, you can dk very well without a sub, especially if you are getting help from the room at below 30 Hz.

Without a doubt, honestly I’ve already tried with two rooms at my place and both are fairly similar. My original room was smaller and had more items in the room which I figure reduced the volume of space making the room overload quite easily.

My new room is larger with a much more open space as it is a dedicated listening room/ht and honestly my experience for some reason is a lot better. In the sense that bass is more rich and even with stereo the stage is far better and I have the speakers about a few feet away from the wall in every direction. Im not sure if this has anything to do with greater immersion, whether it be my Marantz[old avr] or AVM70

Also followed the guide for positioning my bed layer speakers. Regardless in both setups/rooms my experience is far better than a movie theater and also much louder.

In addition, since I mentioned I was to buy a pair of dual opposing subs i’m not seeking subs for HT it’s more for stereo as people seem to say it makes the music closer to the recording.

 

[peng]

I have the unit for about a year now and feel confident that if there is anything that doesn't seem right it is not self inflicted. So I would like to ask your guys about one weird thing. The AVM70, and I think it probably apply to the 90 as well, sounds very different between the DTS Neural:X and Dolby Atmos/Surround Upmixers.

The difference between the two were quite audible too in my previous Denon AVR but the difference now is absolutely huge, especially the center channel contents, to the point one seems natural and the other almost weird, artificial... Which one do you guys prefer, and do you hear just easily audible but not a big difference, slightly difference, or huge difference? And which one do you prefer? Thank you.

 

[Dj7675]

I have the unit for about a year now and feel confident that if there is anything that doesn't seem right it is not self inflicted. So I would like to ask your guys about one weird thing. The AVM70, and I think it probably apply to the 90 as well, sounds very different between the DTS Neural:X and Dolby Atmos/Surround Upmixers.

The difference between the two were quite audible too in my previous Denon AVR but the difference now is absolutely huge, especially the center channel contents, to the point one seems natural and the other almost weird, artificial... Which one do you guys prefer, and do you hear just easily audible but not a big difference, slightly difference, or huge difference? And which one do you prefer? Thank you.

Not an Anthem owner, but I used to use DTS Neural:X upmixer a lot because of how active it made the height channels. I still do use it sometimes but I too find it very noticeable on what it is doing to the center, in particular dialogue. I now primarily use Dolby DSU for upmixing.

 

[RichB]

I have the unit for about a year now and feel confident that if there is anything that doesn't seem right it is not self inflicted. So I would like to ask your guys about one weird thing. The AVM70, and I think it probably apply to the 90 as well, sounds very different between the DTS Neural:X and Dolby Atmos/Surround Upmixers.

The difference between the two were quite audible too in my previous Denon AVR but the difference now is absolutely huge, especially the center channel contents, to the point one seems natural and the other almost weird, artificial... Which one do you guys prefer, and do you hear just easily audible but not a big difference, slightly difference, or huge difference? And which one do you prefer? Thank you.

The BEST feature on the Emotiva RMC-1 is the Dolby Upmixer.
2.0 channel content center channel and surround mixing is excellent, I cannot differentiate it from a native surround mix.
This is a huge upgrade from PLII !

At first, the Denon X3700H Upmixer was underwhelming, sounding very much like PLII. It took a software update and was improved. I'll have to check it out again when next I visit.

- Rich