This is a review and detailed measurements of the Anthem AVM90 home theater 15.4 channel Audio/Video Processor. It was sent to me by the company and is on sale for US $6375.
As you see, the AVM90 sports a gorgeous, high contrast and large display. It is a joy to navigate this feature as it is backed by a speedy processor. To wit, hitting the setup button almost instantly brings up the menus. On many consumer level processors you wait good few seconds before anything shows up. I am also pleased by the nice/smooth feeling when turning volume/menu selector. On almost all consumer brands the volume control is very stiff and unsatisfying. The slight downside is that on-screen (video) is limited to two lines that are overlaid at the bottom.
My reviews are focused on performance and not functionality. In this class of product though, you better do good bit of research into the latter as there are significant differences. As an example, check out the above subwoofer submenu. There are whopping 22 options there! Everything is seemingly programmable down to deciding if plugging in a headphone turns off the speakers or not.
Back panel shows a more modern take on inputs/outputs, leaving behind legacy options:
I liked the simple input menu to select sources with very large icons and instant response of the remote control.
Note that you get a professional quality microphone setup for room calibration and everything is included. Competing consumer products come with decidedly cheesy microphone/stands and advanced Room EQ costs extra.
Measurements were performed after updating the unit to the last firmware.
Anthem AVM90 Processor Measurements
When products have balanced output, I usually focus on that as it usually provides better performance and of course, resilience to ground loops. Such was NOT the case here:
That is already good performance but we actually get more by switching to RCA out:
I asked Anthem if the XLR output was derived from unbalanced and they said that was the case (we saw the same in a processor I recently reviewed). Going with the better of the two, the AVM90 lands right next to its closest competitor in this price range:
Here is how performance varies if you sweep digital input or keep that the same and use the volume control:
Note that above is with RCA out if you compare it to other tested units with XLR's higher output level.
Dynamic range is excellent by AV standards:
Same is true of multitone:
IMD distortion is again, very good for the class:
Jitter test shows fair bit of messiness, fortunately at inaudible levels:
I found a familiar muting problem I have seen below -90 dB in other processors:
I ran this by Anthem but they could not replicate it. They shared measurements with me that was normal. I have supplied my test project file for them to investigate. Will update the review when I hear more.
The typical filter is deployed here and as with its competitors, could use more out of band attenuation:
Frequency response is flat:
The less than ideal filtering gives rise to noise in our wideband THD+N sweep at higher frequencies:
But doesn't explain the small rise in low frequencies.
Figuring someone will ask about the phono input, here is a quick test of RIAA equalization:
Conclusion
We have waited a long time for AV products to break into our "green" level of performance and we finally have a couple of examples with AVM90 being one. So by standards of the category, AVM90 is an excellent offering. Couple of that with very responsive user interface and functionality and you have a very nice package. I hope company aims one grade higher in future products to close the gap further with music-only DACs.
I am happy to recommend the Anthem AVM90 AVP.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
As you see, the AVM90 sports a gorgeous, high contrast and large display. It is a joy to navigate this feature as it is backed by a speedy processor. To wit, hitting the setup button almost instantly brings up the menus. On many consumer level processors you wait good few seconds before anything shows up. I am also pleased by the nice/smooth feeling when turning volume/menu selector. On almost all consumer brands the volume control is very stiff and unsatisfying. The slight downside is that on-screen (video) is limited to two lines that are overlaid at the bottom.
My reviews are focused on performance and not functionality. In this class of product though, you better do good bit of research into the latter as there are significant differences. As an example, check out the above subwoofer submenu. There are whopping 22 options there! Everything is seemingly programmable down to deciding if plugging in a headphone turns off the speakers or not.
Back panel shows a more modern take on inputs/outputs, leaving behind legacy options:
I liked the simple input menu to select sources with very large icons and instant response of the remote control.
Note that you get a professional quality microphone setup for room calibration and everything is included. Competing consumer products come with decidedly cheesy microphone/stands and advanced Room EQ costs extra.
Measurements were performed after updating the unit to the last firmware.
Anthem AVM90 Processor Measurements
When products have balanced output, I usually focus on that as it usually provides better performance and of course, resilience to ground loops. Such was NOT the case here:
That is already good performance but we actually get more by switching to RCA out:
I asked Anthem if the XLR output was derived from unbalanced and they said that was the case (we saw the same in a processor I recently reviewed). Going with the better of the two, the AVM90 lands right next to its closest competitor in this price range:
Here is how performance varies if you sweep digital input or keep that the same and use the volume control:
Note that above is with RCA out if you compare it to other tested units with XLR's higher output level.
Dynamic range is excellent by AV standards:
Same is true of multitone:
IMD distortion is again, very good for the class:
Jitter test shows fair bit of messiness, fortunately at inaudible levels:
I found a familiar muting problem I have seen below -90 dB in other processors:
I ran this by Anthem but they could not replicate it. They shared measurements with me that was normal. I have supplied my test project file for them to investigate. Will update the review when I hear more.
The typical filter is deployed here and as with its competitors, could use more out of band attenuation:
Frequency response is flat:
The less than ideal filtering gives rise to noise in our wideband THD+N sweep at higher frequencies:
But doesn't explain the small rise in low frequencies.
Figuring someone will ask about the phono input, here is a quick test of RIAA equalization:
Conclusion
We have waited a long time for AV products to break into our "green" level of performance and we finally have a couple of examples with AVM90 being one. So by standards of the category, AVM90 is an excellent offering. Couple of that with very responsive user interface and functionality and you have a very nice package. I hope company aims one grade higher in future products to close the gap further with music-only DACs.
I am happy to recommend the Anthem AVM90 AVP.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
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