Integra DRX-8.4

[GSM58]

I'm new to the forum and live in Brazil. I've read all 29 pages of the topic and really enjoyed the tips and opinions.

After 12 years of great joy, I sold my old Pioneer Elite SC-67 and bought the Integra DRX-8.4.

My current system is 5.1.2. It consists of the Dynaudio Contour 20 front speakers, Evoke 25 center speaker, JLAudio D110 subwoofer, Surround and Atmos Kef CI160 QS.

The sources are APPLE TV 4k and Oppo 203.

Samsung 75p TV and JVC-RS46 projector.

I'm enjoying the power, speed, detail, bass and control over the speakers. So I'm having trouble with no dialogue. I'm finding the voices very thin and digitized. I've done several calibrations and I've always heard the dialogue analyzed. Is anyone else experiencing this? I have another week to test it, otherwise I'll switch to the Denon A10H or 8500HA.

Otherwise it's a great piece of equipment. Sorry for the mistakes, but I use Google Translate.

 

[GSM58]

My current System.

A wooden panel with rock wool will soon be installed behind the TV.

I will improve the acoustics of the room with sound absorbers.

 

[ban25]

I'm enjoying the power, speed, detail, bass and control over the speakers. So I'm having trouble with no dialogue. I'm finding the voices very thin and digitized. I've done several calibrations and I've always heard the dialogue analyzed. Is anyone else experiencing this? I have another week to test it, otherwise I'll switch to the Denon A10H or 8500HA.

Are you calibrating with the included puck mic and mobile app or are you using a UMIK-1 connected to a PC/Mac running Dirac Live?

 

[GSM58]

Você está calibrando com o microfone de disco incluído e o aplicativo móvel ou está usando um UMIK-1 conectado a um PC/Mac executando o Dirac Live?

Thank you very much for your attention. I am using the microphone that came with the DRX 8.4. I am thinking about buying the UMIK to do the final test.

I have already calibrated the Dirac Live on the PC and through the application and it did not improve the dialogue. For listening to drum, guitar and piano solos, it is great, but when the voice comes in it gets bad.

The interesting thing is that the AcuEq calibration makes the sound much more dynamic, but the voice is digital.

In any case, the receiver has a lot of potential, but all that is left is to get the dialogue right to keep it going for years.

 

[ban25]

Thank you very much for your attention. I am using the microphone that came with the DRX 8.4. I am thinking about buying the UMIK to do the final test.

I have already calibrated the Dirac Live on the PC and through the application and it did not improve the dialogue. For listening to drum, guitar and piano solos, it is great, but when the voice comes in it gets bad.

The interesting thing is that the AcuEq calibration makes the sound much more dynamic, but the voice is digital.

In any case, the receiver has a lot of potential, but all that is left is to get the dialogue right to keep it going for years.

Are you sure that there's nothing wrong with the center channel, since that's where most voice/dialog is routed to? Does it sound fine with calibration off?

I recommend the UMIK-1 if you can get it because not only will you be able to calibrate with Dirac, but you'll also be able to check the results using REW:

REW room acoustics and audio device measurement and analysis software

REW is free software for room acoustic measurement, loudspeaker measurement and audio device measurement and analysis

www.roomeqwizard.com

A sweep with REW would help determine if there is a problem in the vocal midrange.

 

[GSM58]

Are you sure that there's nothing wrong with the center channel, since that's where most voice/dialog is routed to? Does it sound fine with calibration off?

I recommend the UMIK-1 if you can get it because not only will you be able to calibrate with Dirac, but you'll also be able to check the results using REW:

REW room acoustics and audio device measurement and analysis software

REW is free software for room acoustic measurement, loudspeaker measurement and audio device measurement and analysis

www.roomeqwizard.com

A sweep with REW would help determine if there is a problem in the vocal midrange.

The central speaker is perfect. I'm careful with my equipment and I don't listen to music too loud. I'm going to buy the UMIK1 to do the definitive test. I hope it works.

 

[GSM58]

Just out of curiosity.

When the calibration is done with AcuEq, the crossovers are at 40Hz and Sub 120Hz

When I do it with Dirac Live, they are at 70Hz and the sub at 120Hz.

The sound is more dynamic, rich, detailed and high with AccuEQ

The voices are very bright.

With DL, the sound is more closed, less dynamic and lower.

The voices are better, but there is still a lack of balance.

 

[dlaloum]

Just out of curiosity.

When the calibration is done with AcuEq, the crossovers are at 40Hz and Sub 120Hz

When I do it with Dirac Live, they are at 70Hz and the sub at 120Hz.

The sound is more dynamic, rich, detailed and high with AccuEQ

The voices are very bright.

With DL, the sound is more closed, less dynamic and lower.

The voices are better, but there is still a lack of balance.

The two run different default target curves...

And you can specify your preferred target.

Also I have used AccuEQ before running DL, and I think the AccuEQ chosen crossovers tend to be a better option than those defaulted to by DL. (may be different once you have DLBM onboard).

 

[GSM58]

The two run different default target curves...

And you can specify your preferred target.

Also I have used AccuEQ before running DL, and I think the AccuEQ chosen crossovers tend to be a better option than those defaulted to by DL. (may be different once you have DLBM onboard).

I changed the front and center speakers to Full Range sub- 80Hz. I really liked the result with AccuEQ enabled.

A great video tip on YouTube to listen loud in Stereo or ALLCH Stereo. The drummer is really good. Watch until the end, it's worth it.

 

[dlaloum]

I changed the front and center speakers to Full Range sub- 80Hz. I really liked the result with AccuEQ enabled.

A great video tip on YouTube to listen loud in Stereo or ALLCH Stereo. The drummer is really good. Watch until the end, it's worth it.

I use "double bass" with full range fronts and surrounds.... very happy with the results

 

[GSM58]

My current setup…

 

[GSM58]

Auro 3D never appeared on the 8.4 display. Only Auro Surround.

Could it be because I'm using two Atmos channels?

 

[EWL5]

Thank you very much for your attention. I am using the microphone that came with the DRX 8.4. I am thinking about buying the UMIK to do the final test.

I have already calibrated the Dirac Live on the PC and through the application and it did not improve the dialogue. For listening to drum, guitar and piano solos, it is great, but when the voice comes in it gets bad.

The interesting thing is that the AcuEq calibration makes the sound much more dynamic, but the voice is digital.

In any case, the receiver has a lot of potential, but all that is left is to get the dialogue right to keep it going for years.

If you have the latest firmware for the 8.4, there is currently a bug that led to this critical review of Dirac for the RZ70 (of which the 8.4 is a clone):

Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV Receiver Review

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV receiver boasts 140 watts/ch, 8K HDMI inputs, Auro 3D, FREE Dirac Live and the BEST bench test results we’ve seen in its price class. Is this the best AVR at under $3k?

www.audioholics.com

The bug is detailed by this post at AVS and is known as the "off by 1" bug on most PAC AVRs since it appears to be a coding error in firmware:

https://www.avsforum.com/posts/63627860/

 

[GSM58]

Se você tiver o firmware mais recente para o 8.4, há atualmente um bug que levou a esta análise crítica do Dirac para o RZ70 (do qual o 8.4 é um clone):

Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV Receiver Review

The Onkyo TX-RZ70 11.2CH AV receiver boasts 140 watts/ch, 8K HDMI inputs, Auro 3D, FREE Dirac Live and the BEST bench test results we’ve seen in its price class. Is this the best AVR at under $3k?

www.audioholics.com

O bug é detalhado nesta postagem no AVS e é conhecido como bug "off by 1" na maioria dos PAC AVRs, pois parece ser um erro de codificação no firmware:

https://www.avsforum.com/posts/63627860/

Thanks for sharing.

My 8.4 has the latest update.

 

[GSM58]

After some adjustments and a new calibration (AccuEQ) with 9 points, the dialogue improved a lot. Movies with Dolby Atmos are spectacular.

I believe that it will only be to my liking after an update of the acoustics in my living room. Soon I will install a wooden panel on the TV wall with rock wool and two acoustic panels behind the sofa. I am sure that things will improve.

The receiver has a lot of power and control with my speakers. My front trio has 4ohms with low sensitivity. That is why I bought a sturdy and very well-built receiver.

I have a Gryphon Atilla integrated that I use for Stereo and it has a bypass to be used with the 8.4 pre out. I intend to test this.

 

[GSM58]

This setup was killer with AccuEQ. Lots of dynamics, impressive control on the fronts, incredible speed on drum fills, dry bass and transparent highs without being annoying. You can turn up the volume and it has plenty of power and current to spare. Very impressed with the DRX 8.4

I just bought the UMIK 1. It will take two weeks to arrive in Brazil; I'm looking forward to better results on the DL.

Sub JLAudio D110. This sub is a beast.

 

[ban25]

My current setup…

Thanks for sharing. Dirac always defaults to a 70 Hz crossover. You can change it of course, but it doesn't really try to find "the best" crossover for your system, so you have to experiment. It also can't do Double Bass (Full Band + Subwoofer), so if you have capable speakers, you may be disappointed by Dirac and prefer AccuEQ. That said, you could add a 2nd subwoofer and get a very smooth, even bass response across the room with DLBC.

 

[ban25]

Auro 3D never appeared on the 8.4 display. Only Auro Surround.

Could it be because I'm using two Atmos channels?

I think you will need 4 height / Atmos channels to get Auro3D.

 

[ban25]

After some adjustments and a new calibration (AccuEQ) with 9 points, the dialogue improved a lot. Movies with Dolby Atmos are spectacular.

I believe that it will only be to my liking after an update of the acoustics in my living room. Soon I will install a wooden panel on the TV wall with rock wool and two acoustic panels behind the sofa. I am sure that things will improve.

The receiver has a lot of power and control with my speakers. My front trio has 4ohms with low sensitivity. That is why I bought a sturdy and very well-built receiver.

I have a Gryphon Atilla integrated that I use for Stereo and it has a bypass to be used with the 8.4 pre out. I intend to test this.

Glad to hear you got good results! One thing to note if you want to continue to experiment with Dirac is that you can save calibrations into 3 different slots. If you have AccuEQ on Slot 1, for instance, then you could try to run a Dirac calibration on Slot 2 or 3. I recommend keeping your AccuEQ calibration on a dedicated slot so that you can always switch back to it. I have been meaning to try an AccuEQ calibration myself so that I can enable Double Bass but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[peng]

After some adjustments and a new calibration (AccuEQ) with 9 points, the dialogue improved a lot. Movies with Dolby Atmos are spectacular.

I believe that it will only be to my liking after an update of the acoustics in my living room. Soon I will install a wooden panel on the TV wall with rock wool and two acoustic panels behind the sofa. I am sure that things will improve.

The receiver has a lot of power and control with my speakers. My front trio has 4ohms with low sensitivity. That is why I bought a sturdy and very well-built receiver.

I have a Gryphon Atilla integrated that I use for Stereo and it has a bypass to be used with the 8.4 pre out. I intend to test this.

How does it compare with pure direct mode, that is no room correction, no Accueq no Dirac Live?