The problem with Audyssey Dynamic EQ

[Joost80]

Dynamic Eq which I started using is a couple of weeks ago is off again and stays off. Was playing Resident evil 4 remake during the rainy parts of the game and was wondering why my surrounds sounded tonally a bit different. The rain was coming from all the speakers. Turned Dynamic Eq off and every speaker sounded tonally the same again. There was also, don't know how to say it in another way, more rain noticeable, and extra layer, more transparent so to speak, with dynamic eq off. I used a - 3,5 dB setting for dynamic eq to get the surround levels equal to the front stage. What a mess. So off for me.

 

[SenseOfScience]

Getting back to the subject of this thread, the word is that in an upcoming update to MQX, it will give you the option to use DEQ without changing the levels of the surrounds. Finally!

I guess this never came to pass? It seems like it would be trivial to allow using DEQ without mucking with the surround levels. It's way over the top with the surround boost and is legitimately uncomfortable when gaming.

 

[OCA]

I guess this never came to pass? It seems like it would be trivial to allow using DEQ without mucking with the surround levels. It's way over the top with the surround boost and is legitimately uncomfortable when gaming.

It's possible to tame Dynamic EQ boosts with just the Multeq Editor app at least for the level you generally listen to your system:

 

[SenseOfScience]

It's possible to tame Dynamic EQ boosts with just the Multeq Editor app at least for the level you generally listen to your system:

Thanks for the link. I actually just bought the app yesterday in hopes of taming so will definitely give it a watch.

 

[GREM]

Quick and dirty Home Assistant script to adjust rear channels levels to compensate DynEQ volume boost.

Script
alias: Denon Rear Volume mode: restart icon: mdi:volume-source sequence: - repeat: for_each: - SL - SR - SBL - SBR - TRL - TRR sequence: - service: denonavr.get_command data: command: /goform/formiPhoneAppDirect.xml?CV{{ repeat.item }}%20{{ adjvol }} target: entity_id: media_player.avr_4500

UI Buttons
type: horizontal-stack title: Rear Channels Volume cards: - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_rear_volume data: adjvol: DOWN name: Down icon: mdi:volume-minus - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: denonavr.get_command target: entity_id: media_player.avr_4500 data: command: /goform/formiPhoneAppDirect.xml?CVZRL name: Reset icon: mdi:volume-equal - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_rear_volume data: adjvol: UP name: Up icon: mdi:volume-plus

This solution helps to adjust the channels levels for all rear speakers with one button.
Of course, it could be tied with the master volume level via automation

 

[OCA]

Quick and dirty Home Assistant script to adjust rear channels levels to compensate DynEQ volume boost.

Script
alias: Denon Rear Volume mode: restart icon: mdi:volume-source sequence: - repeat: for_each: - SL - SR - SBL - SBR - TRL - TRR sequence: - service: denonavr.get_command data: command: /goform/formiPhoneAppDirect.xml?CV{{ repeat.item }}%20{{ adjvol }} target: entity_id: media_player.avr_4500

UI Buttons
type: horizontal-stack title: Rear Channels Volume cards: - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_rear_volume data: adjvol: DOWN name: Down icon: mdi:volume-minus - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: denonavr.get_command target: entity_id: media_player.avr_4500 data: command: /goform/formiPhoneAppDirect.xml?CVZRL name: Reset icon: mdi:volume-equal - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_rear_volume data: adjvol: UP name: Up icon: mdi:volume-plus

This solution helps to adjust the channels levels for all rear speakers with one button.
Of course, it could be tied with the master volume level via automation

This is brilliant. The boost for top speakers and surrounds are different. Can you implement that, too?

 

[GREM]

This is brilliant. The boost for top speakers and surrounds are different. Can you implement that, too?

Yeah.. I also noticed difference as soon as I started to adjust values.

Anyway, I don't have dedicated setup and enough experience with REW to do a proper measurements. I use DTS-X Callout demo, interactive DTS Unbound app on Xbox, my ears and published measurements, like the one in the first post, to make an assumptions.

I think boost applied something like I painted.
Measurements from 0db to -50db MLV with 5db steps would grately help to understand the pattern, but it will take a tremendous amount of time to gather such data.

Split Tops and Surrounds? Sure, why not

Spoiler: Script

alias: Denon Levels Volume mode: restart icon: mdi:volume-source sequence: - repeat: for_each: "{{ avr_speakers }}" sequence: - service: denonavr.get_command data: command: /goform/formiPhoneAppDirect.xml?CV{{ repeat.item }}%20{{ adjvol }} target: entity_id: media_player.avr_4500

Spoiler: Buttons

type: horizontal-stack title: Rear Channels Volume cards: - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_levels_volume data: adjvol: DOWN avr_speakers: - SL - SR - SBL - SBR - TRL - TRR target: {} name: All Down icon: mdi:volume-minus - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_levels_volume data: adjvol: 45 avr_speakers: - SL - SR - SBL - SBR - TRL - TRR target: {} name: All -5db icon: mdi:volume-equal - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: denonavr.get_command target: entity_id: media_player.avr_4500 data: command: /goform/formiPhoneAppDirect.xml?CVZRL name: All 0db icon: mdi:volume-equal - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_levels_volume data: adjvol: UP avr_speakers: - SL - SR - SBL - SBR - TRL - TRR target: {} name: All Up icon: mdi:volume-plus type: horizontal-stack cards: - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_levels_volume data: adjvol: DOWN avr_speakers: - SL - SR - SBL - SBR target: {} name: Surr Down icon: mdi:volume-minus - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_levels_volume data: adjvol: UP avr_speakers: - SL - SR - SBL - SBR target: {} name: Surr Up icon: mdi:volume-plus - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_levels_volume data: adjvol: DOWN avr_speakers: - TRL - TRR target: {} name: Top Down icon: mdi:volume-minus - show_name: true show_icon: true type: button tap_action: action: call-service service: script.denon_levels_volume data: adjvol: UP avr_speakers: - TRL - TRR target: {} name: Top Up icon: mdi:volume-plus

 

[OCA]

I wonder if running such a script would be possible with IOS Shortcuts and Homekit.

 

[GREM]

I wonder if running such a script would be possible with IOS Shortcuts and Homekit.

I'm not familiar with Shortcuts or Homekit...
Can it call a url?
Because in the nutshell script just call urls
Like this one to open the Channels levels menu
http://<AVR_IP>:8080/goform/formiPhoneAppDirect.xml?MNCHL

 

[RocShemp]

Overall I'm quite happy with what DEQ does to the frequency response (boosting bass and the high end); but I don't like what it does to the surround channel levels. I just made some measurements with different Dynamic EQ settings to confirm my impression that it boosts the surround channels too much.
(Please ignore the generally lumpy response - this isn't about that and I realised that my minidsp sub settings were messed up part way through).

For the centre and front channels the level of the mid frequencies remains fairly constant with different DEQ settings.
View attachment 223961

View attachment 223958

But for the surround channels it also boosts the overall level...
View attachment 223959

The situation is even worse when listening at lower levels...
View attachment 223960

In the kHz range I think the level should stay roughly where the black line (DEQ off) is. With the DEQ set at 0dB offset it boosts the surrounds by at least 6dB, relative to the fronts.

I assume this is how it is intended to operate (and not an implementation error in my Denon AVC-X receiver). But for me, since I sit a lot closer to the surrounds than the front speakers the boosted surrounds are pretty obnoxious.

For quiet listening in the evening the surrounds are close to me and louder. If I set volume based on the surrounds the centre channel is too quiet - reducing dialogue intelligibility (a common problem). Alternatively if I set volume based on the centre channel I get blasted by loud music and effects from the surrounds, eg when the adverts come on.

Edit: Added poll

Based on your measurements, setting the offset to 15dB gets you to closest to volume levels with DEQ turned off. I've done that sometimes, as it comes in handy when I want to also use DVol to tame sounds spikes in some movies (I'm looking at you, Christopher Nolan).

 

[SynthesisCinema]

For the owners of AVR/AVC-X3800H, AVR/AVC-X4800H, AVR/AVC-A1H, AVR/AVC-X6800H, AVR/AVC-A10H. Firmware from 17.07.2025-30.07.2025 - U37 (Denon UK changelog)

New Function: Add Audyssey Dynamic EQ Surround Level Compensation menu

The new function adds an Audyssey Dynamic EQ "Surround Level Compensation" menu, allowing users to fine-tune the surround sound experience. This feature enables adjustments to the surround speaker levels when using Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which compensates for loudness and maintains a consistent sound experience at different volume levels. If the surround speakers sound too loud or too quiet when Dynamic EQ is enabled, the "Surround Level Compensation" menu allows you to make subtle adjustments to the surround speaker levels to achieve your desired sound.

Denon Help Center | Denon Help Center

We're here to help. If your question can't be resolved straight away, one of our support experts will assist you directly.

support-uk.denon.com

 

[Fahzz]

"Added 70Hz to the cross-over and other filter settings "

Yay!

 

[Oddball]

is it only 70hz or 50hz as well?

 

[Fahzz]

I think it's only 70. Check the link in post 91 above. it doesn't seem to be released in the US yet.

 

[Oddball]

I think it's only 70. Check the link in post 91 above. it doesn't seem to be released in the US yet.

In the middle of watching some good stuff, but will check it out. 70hz seems to be pretty arbitrary although very common. For larger systems 50hz might have been useful. "Other filter settings", let's see what that is.

 

[Fahzz]

In the middle of watching some good stuff, but will check it out. 70hz seems to be pretty arbitrary although very common. For larger systems 50hz might have been useful. "Other filter settings", let's see what that is.

There's been some discussion on this forum about 60 vs. 80 - maybe for KEF speakers, and I often find myself switching between 60hz and 80hz for my main speakers for some reason - so now I will have a compromise!

 

[No_hair_left]

For the owners of AVR/AVC-X3800H, AVR/AVC-X4800H, AVR/AVC-A1H, AVR/AVC-X6800H, AVR/AVC-A10H. Firmware from 17.07.2025-30.07.2025 - U37 (Denon UK changelog)

New Function: Add Audyssey Dynamic EQ Surround Level Compensation menu

The new function adds an Audyssey Dynamic EQ "Surround Level Compensation" menu, allowing users to fine-tune the surround sound experience. This feature enables adjustments to the surround speaker levels when using Audyssey Dynamic EQ, which compensates for loudness and maintains a consistent sound experience at different volume levels. If the surround speakers sound too loud or too quiet when Dynamic EQ is enabled, the "Surround Level Compensation" menu allows you to make subtle adjustments to the surround speaker levels to achieve your desired sound.

Denon Help Center | Denon Help Center

We're here to help. If your question can't be resolved straight away, one of our support experts will assist you directly.

support-uk.denon.com

This is interesting has anyone used it yet? I despise what dynamic eq does to the rear atmos/surround speakers because I don't listen at the same volumes even with it enabled so I think every time I increased or decreased the avr volume it would add more/take db to the surrounds/atmos.

What I started doing instead was aiming for a -10 trim on my subs after calibration then boosting them back to 0 or -0.5, seemed to bring the bass back but I'm not sure if what I'm doing is the same a what dynamic eq does to the subs.

 

[SynthesisCinema]

This is interesting has anyone used it yet? I despise what dynamic eq does to the rear atmos/surround speakers because I don't listen at the same volumes even with it enabled so I think every time I increased or decreased the avr volume it would add more/take db to the surrounds/atmos.

What I started doing instead was aiming for a -10 trim on my subs after calibration then boosting them back to 0 or -0.5, seemed to bring the bass back but I'm not sure if what I'm doing is the same a what dynamic eq does to the subs.

This is great addition indeed. I sent message to Audyssey directly requiring this few months ago. Never got reply back from them, but now it`s added.

Surround Level Compensation​

If the volume setting on the unit is below the reference level when using Audyssey Dynamic EQ, the volume of the channels located behind the listener is amplified in accordance with that volume setting to maintain the surround experience for the listener.

Surround Level Compensation can adjust the amplification level.

Heavy (Default):	Surround and rear channels are increased in level up to 8.5dB based on the master volume, when Dynamic EQ is on.
Medium:	Surround and rear channels are increased in level up to 5.6dB based on the master volume, when Dynamic EQ is on.
Light:	Surround and rear channels are increased in level up to 2.8dB based on the master volume, when Dynamic EQ is on.
Off:	Surround and rear channels are not increased when Dynamic EQ is on.

 

[Dovydas]

Does anybody have any ideas why it's only implemented for x800 series and not for x700 or lower?

 

[Ubbe]

This is great addition indeed. I sent message to Audyssey directly requiring this few months ago. Never got reply back from them, but now it`s added.

The CEO of Audyssey said more than 2 years ago that they would fix this surround level boost from DEQ as most people complain about it and it wasn't really a good idea to begin with. Good that you reminded them.