Denon AVR-X4800H AVR Review

[EasyC]

Before trying Dirac you could try OCA's Evo1 scripts - it's evolving a lot now, is free, and sound may well be just as good. Nothing to loose also, instead of buying the (very) expensive Dirac software...

Edit: Here’s a large thread on AVS about it (Neuron is the 5th or something incarnation of it): link
Or check his YouTube channel.

 

[Aerith Gainsborough]

Hey everyone,
New owner here. Very pleased with 4800 featureset so far. I am now thinking of purchasing the Dirac bundle. I know its better and more capable than Audyssey. Anyone have any tips on that? Should I go for it? I am using 5.2.0 setap with neuman speakers and planning on adding 2 atmos speakers this year. My living room is lightly treated for mid/high frequencies.
Thank in advance.

Went Dirac with my X4800H and never looked back (also got Dirac in the Black Friday deal). Though do keep in mind that I was used to Dirac from my previous setup (PC, Dirac Live Processor).

IMHO it sounds even better on the 4800H. Whether that is because it was measured and compiled with a 3 year newer version or me accidentally having chosen more suitable measurement points I cannot say. I love the result so now it's "Do not touch my system... or else!" :'D

I second the suggestion to give Audyssey a shot though. Maybe you like it enough to save the expense. Nothing to lose but a little time and maybe 20ish bucks for the smartphone app.

 

[yelloguy]

Hey everyone,
New owner here. Very pleased with 4800 featureset so far. I am now thinking of purchasing the Dirac bundle. I know its better and more capable than Audyssey. Anyone have any tips on that? Should I go for it? I am using 5.2.0 setap with neuman speakers and planning on adding 2 atmos speakers this year. My living room is lightly treated for mid/high frequencies.
Thank in advance.

Did you try this Audyssey and Dirac comparison?

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

With the actual problems with Denon/Marantz I would not buy one of these amps in the next few month ...

Denon/Marantz - the end is near (or not)

Denon/Marantz the end: https://www.channelnews.com.au/former-sound-united-business-could-be-discontinued-next-year-after-falling-revenues-no-buyer-and-losses-claims-new-director/ The Denon X800 and Marantz Cinema series lines may be the last ever as Sound United is about to go belly up...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Denon/Marantz will not disappear. Gezzzzz

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

Devices and features are generally getting cheaper, which generally shortens the lifecycle. Obviously it depends on budget but 10 years is a long time to target.

Buy cheaper and think shorter.

Not AVR's. They can't.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

I am aware of that. The problem is that stereo music mastering is all over the place, even more so with radio streams. So I have a setting that seems to work with most music most of the time. And for times that I want something different (that can be because of my mood or because of the music; one cannot be sure), I use the available buttons. The highest 'reference level offset' is 15 dB. Sometimes I think that a 25 dB option would be nice. But again, that depends very much on the music (or my mood).

Steaming is all over the map. Sometimes in the same app. Some songs are mastered by bozos and suck no matter what you try to do.

 

[Fahzz]

I recently switched the input for my music from analog to SPDIF using a coaxial cable. Before I did that, I was able to use an option called "video select" that allowed me to watch a ball game on TV while listening to music. Now that option doesn't appear. Any ideas why that is happening/how to fix?

 

[bigguyca]

I recently switched the input for my music from analog to SPDIF using a coaxial cable. Before I did that, I was able to use an option called "video select" that allowed me to watch a ball game on TV while listening to music. Now that option doesn't appear. Any ideas why that is happening/how to fix?

Yes.

The 'fix' is likely on pages 200 - 202 of the AVR X4800H owner's manual.

 

[Fahzz]

Thanks. I searched the manual again and on page 126 I found: "Supported input sources: CD/ Tuner / HEOS Music / Phono" for the video select option. I had my previous input set to CD (analog) which is why I had it before and now I don't. Thanks for the response though.

 

[gparaskevas]

Hey folks,
4800 is now roon ready!

 

[kiwifi]

I have just purchased a Denon AVC-X4800h to replace my Marantz AV8801. A new TV prompted the upgrade. I wanted to be able to decode the latest audio formats (via eARC) and also try the Audyssey App.

I chose the X4800h over the X3800h for the two line display, better build quality and measurements. I was also concerned that moving from a dedicated processor to using a receiver as my pre-amp would result in a loss of audio quality. I was wrong! Despite both the AV8801 and X4800h having the same Audyssey XT32 feature set, the results from the new Denon are far better than the older Marantz. I see no reason to purchase Dirac, but assume that the additional processing added to the Denon to support Dirac, has also benefited Audyssey. I have yet to try the Audyssey App.

I do miss the XLR outs and I did have to increase the subwoofer output levels to compensate going from a balanced to single ended conection. Also the X4800h in pre-amp only mode, runs much cooler than the AV8801 ever did.

 

[krabapple]

I have just purchased a Denon AVC-X4800h to replace my Marantz AV8801. A new TV prompted the upgrade. I wanted to be able to decode the latest audio formats (via eARC) and also try the Audyssey App.

I chose the X4800h over the X3800h for the two line display, better build quality and measurements. I was also concerned that moving from a dedicated processor to using a receiver as my pre-amp would result in a loss of audio quality. I was wrong! Despite both the AV8801 and X4800h having the same Audyssey XT32 feature set, the results from the new Denon are far better than the older Marantz. I see no reason to purchase Dirac, but assume that the additional processing added to the Denon to support Dirac, has also benefited Audyssey. I have yet to try the Audyssey App.

Is this actually a claim either Denon or Audyssey make? Should one expect the feature, called 'Audyssey XT32' on both models, to perform differently?

 

[peng]

Is this actually a claim either Denon or Audyssey make? Should one expect the feature, called 'Audyssey XT32' on both models, to perform differently?

The AV8801 is not compatible with the app, so there are things that can't be done, such as:

- no way to disable the MRC
- cannot fine tune/tweak by customizing the target curve.

So yes, the 2 can perform differently.

 

[PGAMiami]

Hey folks,
4800 is now roon ready

Do we know if this is stereo or multichannel?

 

[EWL5]

- no way to disable the MRC

I wonder how many folks D&M turned off by keeping this philosophy?

 

[peng]

I wonder how many folks D&M turned off by keeping this philosophy?

Tons I assume, Audyssey seemed open minded with their stuff but on this one they seemed stubborn about it. Yes, it wouldn't do any harm to many speakers design with some similar dip but that's mostly from the old designs, new speakers likely managed to avoid the need to have such a dip. Besides, I couldn't understand why they wouldn't at least get rid of the dip in their so called "flat" mode. It is not excusable in the case of the expensive AV8801 and especially the AV8802A, that otherwise was one of the best AVP available at the time and people paid quite a premium for that one.

 

[kiwifi]

Besides, I couldn't understand why they wouldn't at least get rid of the dip in their so called "flat" mode.

My understanding was that Audyssey Flat does not include the MRC dip.

 

[peng]

My understanding was that Audyssey Flat does not include the MRC dip.

You misunderstood but lots of people thought that too and AVSF has some posts that might have helped spreading the incorrect info.

Flat just doesn’t do the HF roll off but MRC would not be disabled, you can disable it if you use Audyssey pro.

The following site got it right but for an official response you can visit “Ask Audyssey”.

Simple Home Cinema - Bringing Your Entertainment to Life

Should you turn Midrange Compensation on or off? How do you know if your speakers need it? Let’s find out!

simplehomecinema.com

 

[Oddball]

To be fair, what one can or cannot do on the base Audy calibration is not entirely Audy issue.

D&M provides firmware and includes setup/control options. With D&M app, they solved the issue for the supported hardware, and a small fee of $20 that I guess helps the income statement. Why they did not bother to correct older firmware is another matter. I guess the silver lining is to buy newer products at this time.

Don't want to go over all the Audy official responses yet again, but as far as can recall they noted it might or might not work based on the speakers involved. As Peng noted, this might just show the age at Audy was given this feature. Not against any features, but agree that for this particular one people should be able to disable in firmware - for free.

 

[Sal1950]

Audyssey is a terrific piece of FREE DRC software.
With the addition of the $20 Editor app it's mostly everything many need.
If only they'd add a switch to turn off the rear channel level boost in DEQ most all would be well.
That is about as ill concieved a built-in playback adjustment as is the midrange dip response .