Audyssey's Next Generation of Room Correction (MultEQ-X)

[depechefan]

I purchased a license for Multeq-X for my Denon AVC-X8500HA yesterday. I must say that the difference between the XT32 version and this is night & day. My system sounds fantastic now and I'm hearing things that I never was able to in the past. Can't compare to Dirac as I have no experience with that and it is not an option on my receiver. But I'm very impressed with the new Audyssey version so far. If you have the option and are willing to pay the $200 (more expensive in Denmark...) then I highly recommend it.

 

[dlaloum]

I purchased a license for Multeq-X for my Denon AVC-X8500HA yesterday. I must say that the difference between the XT32 version and this is night & day. My system sounds fantastic now and I'm hearing things that I never was able to in the past. Can't compare to Dirac as I have no experience with that and it is not an option on my receiver. But I'm very impressed with the new Audyssey version so far. If you have the option and are willing to pay the $200 (more expensive in Denmark...) then I highly recommend it.

When using multeq-x, what did you change from the default settings?

 

[depechefan]

When using multeq-x, what did you change from the default settings?

Let me just say that even without changing any settings it sounds way better than anything I have been able to do with the multeq32 app. I usually only correct up to about 500 Hz because it sounds too restrained to me otherwise. But with multeq-x I let it go up to 20 KHz and that sounds awesome
Of course having watched all the videos and playing around I have changed lots of things
In settings I turned on the extra headroom parameter and allowed it to use 12 dB. The 2 settings at the top I have also turned on
I added a house curve by adding a tilt filter (-1 DB sounds good to me. Others prefer around -0.4).
I also added a boost at 60 hz of 1 or 2 DB using a low shelf filter
There is a checkbox that I have checked to override what Audyssey usually does. I can't remember the name. Not in front of my pc...
And I have modified the crossovers
Again: Even defaults sound great. But now it really sings

 

[fieldcar]

When using multeq-x, what did you change from the default settings?

I've found that this is all I need to get what I want.

1. Delete both Theater HF rolloff and Midrange compensation.
2. Add a Tilt and apply a -0.8dB -0.9dB/octave slope (equivalent to a harman 3dB/decade slope), though you can play with this to find your preference.
3. Check "Disable Auto-Leveling" on the subwoofers.

Another cool thing is that If you want to leave the Theater HF Rolloff, just make sure it's set for the reference Type and Set the Tilt type to flat. Then you can switch between both targets on the AVR quickly.

EDIT: Oh yeah, also make sure you take 8 measurement points no further than 6" from the center of your main listening position. I usually cross everything over at 80Hz, and up the subwoofer by a few dB on my HEOS input. You can trim input specific speaker trims by pressing the options? button to the top right of the arrows and going to channel levels or similar.

 

[FrantzM]

I've found that this is all I need to get what I want.

1. Delete both Theater HF rolloff and Midrange compensation.
2. Add a Tilt and apply a -0.8dB/octave slope (equivalent to a harman 3dB/decade slope), though you can play with this to find your preference.
3. Check "Disable Auto-Leveling" on the subwoofers.

Another cool thing is that If you want to leave the Theater HF Rolloff, just make sure it's set for the reference Type and Set the Tilt type to flat. Then you can switch between both targets on the AVR quickly.

EDIT: Oh yeah, also make sure you take 8 measurement points no further than 6" from the center of your main listening position. I usually cross everything over at 80Hz, and up the subwoofer by a few dB on my HEOS input. You can trim input specific speaker trims by pressing the options? button to the top right of the arrows and going to channel levels or similar.

Center frequency for the tilt?

Peace.

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

Quick question. My miniDSP2x4HD died, was my own mistake, long story.
I want to use the 2 subs in the system. Will MultEQ-X (Windows app) be able to calibrate the 2 subwoofers properly? Taking care of the different delays and EQ parameters for each subwoofer, a la MSO? I have one sub in the front and the other in the back.


Peace.

 

[fieldcar]

Center frequency for the tilt?

Peace.

I leave it at 1KHz, The only time I think you need to worry about leaving it at 1KHz is if the compensation EQ maxxes out on the Filter settings graphs. If that's the case, just go to the settings at the lower left > features tab at the top > Enable EQ Headroom Expansion.

 

[depechefan]

This is what I have. My understanding is that there is a correlation between the "Enable HQ Headroom Extension" setting and "Disable Auto Leveling". I have this disabled for all my speakers. I think it sounds good and that is the most important factor for me - and hopefully everybody else as well

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

Quick question. My miniDSP2x4HD died, was my own mistake, long story.
I want to use the 2 subs in the system. Will MultEQ-X (Windows app) be able to calibrate the 2 subwoofers properly? Taking care of the different delays and EQ parameters for each subwoofer, a la MSO? I have one sub in the front and the other in the back.


Peace.

Bump!
?

 

[chych7]

Hi

Quick question. My miniDSP2x4HD died, was my own mistake, long story.
I want to use the 2 subs in the system. Will MultEQ-X (Windows app) be able to calibrate the 2 subwoofers properly? Taking care of the different delays and EQ parameters for each subwoofer, a la MSO? I have one sub in the front and the other in the back.


Peace.

MultEQ-X will time align different subs (delays), but will still EQ them together. Same as without MultEQ-X. MSO is needed for independent EQ to the subs.

 

[depechefan]

I have 2 subs, my receiver is a Denon AVC-X8500HA which supports 2 subs. MultEQ-X works perfectly in this scenario

 

[chych7]

I have 2 subs, my receiver is a Denon AVC-X8500HA which supports 2 subs. MultEQ-X works perfectly in this scenario

The relevant scenario has to do more with your room layout and how many seats you have. MultEQ-X won't be sufficient to optimize bass across multiple seating rows, or for effectively combining different types of subwoofers together, for example. Something like DLBC/MSO is needed to get better integration.

However for most cases of dual identical subs and a single seating row, MultEQ-X is likely sufficient to get good bass response.

 

[fieldcar]

Hi

Quick question. My miniDSP2x4HD died, was my own mistake, long story.
I want to use the 2 subs in the system. Will MultEQ-X (Windows app) be able to calibrate the 2 subwoofers properly? Taking care of the different delays and EQ parameters for each subwoofer, a la MSO? I have one sub in the front and the other in the back.


Peace.

Bump!
?

It should be able to. Timing and volume are independent for each RCA subwoofer output, and the correction is shared between all subs. I'm sure there are pitfalls to this implementation, and it seems like the way to get around it is to add a miniDSP to correct each sub, and then re-run audyssey on top of it to add the final polish. EDIT: Though, it's probably not necessary unless you're overly concerned about fixing nulls in each sub. Multi-sub fixes nulls, so that's why I believe that audyssey corrects for all subs with a single EQ.

 

[krabapple]

I have 2 subs, my receiver is a Denon AVC-X8500HA which supports 2 subs. MultEQ-X works perfectly in this scenario

Doesn't the Audyssey in your AVR already do what -X does, for subs?

 

[depechefan]

Probably. But I hear a clear difference with MultEQ-X. Bass has more slam. Feels more precise and "tighter"

 

[krabapple]

hmm, ok, another sighted report without comparative measurements. Is there a known technical reason why the two would EQ the subs differently?

For sure, it would hard to do a 'proper' A/B comparison sighted of this, much less blind. You'd have to make sure the mic was placed in exactly the same places during both calibration runs, and then have a way to quickly switch between MultiEQ and MultiEQ-X results.

 

[depechefan]

I think that the extra headroom combined with the ability to disable auto leveling and adding a house curve have a lot to do with the better result. At some point I will do some REW measurements

 

[fieldcar]

Is there a known technical reason why the two would EQ the subs differently?

The only technical thing I can think of is mixing subwoofers of substantially different output capability. The other is to pre-flatten the sub out so that tacticle transducers wont have a wonky correction (newer AVR's will be coming with outputs specifically for transducers, so thats nice). I don't personally worry about it though. I know some obsessive types usually add in a minidsp on top of audyssey, but in the end they may just be over-driving subs at difficult nulls.

 

[krabapple]

The only technical thing I can think of is mixing subwoofers of substantially different output capability. The other is to pre-flatten the sub out so that tacticle transducers wont have a wonky correction (newer AVR's will be coming with outputs specifically for transducers, so thats nice). I don't personally worry about it though. I know some obsessive types usually add in a minidsp on top of audyssey, but in the end they may just be over-driving subs at difficult nulls.

Not sure I understand how this describes a difference between MultiEQ loaded in the AVR, and using the MultiEQ app instead.

 

[fieldcar]

Not sure I understand how this describes a difference between MultiEQ loaded in the AVR, and using the MultiEQ app instead.

Ah. Nevermind. I thought you were responding to my post asking why people would EQ outside of audyssey with something like a minidsp.