So in terms of actually being able to map your speaker setup accurately, is Trinnov the only AVR/AVP that does this?
Disclaimer: I am not an expert on JBL/Trinnov processors.
Depends on what you mean by "setup" and "accurately". The JBL/Trinnov units use a special multi-element microphone to detect the position of your speakers in 3D, vs. measuring just distance from the mic. You get a display of where in space (distance, angle, height) each of your speakers are sitting, with ideal positions indicated for the format selected (Atmos in my case). They are the only units I know about that can do that, though there may be others. Both Trinnov and the rebadged and tweaked JBL units have that capability.
The JBL version does not include Trinnov's remapping capability, mainly because some key players at JBL/Harman argued against it AFAIK. Hand-wavingly, the remapping ability lets the unit "synthesize" a "virtual" speaker at a place among or between other physical speakers in your layout. This could be useful if you have an Atmos layout and want to listen to Auros recordings with "proper" speaker positions, or if you cannot place a speaker where it should be. For example, if you had to place a surround speaker forward or behind the recommended Dolby placement, remapping could create a virtual surround speaker at the "perfect" spot but by mixing signals appropriately from the front and rear speakers.
I decided I could live without that since I am OK with my speaker positions even though they are a little off the ideal Dolby speaker map. There is a pretty wide range for the positions and, even in my very imperfect room, I am pretty close. The con I have heard is that the remapping works best for a small listening area and in larger rooms. I do not know since I have not heard it (and do not have it since I have a JBL version). For certain situations and listeners it could be a big plus, but I (in my very biased opinion) suspect it is not used by the majority of owners.
The JBL versions also do not have separate user (manual) PEQ. This is in addition to all the filters in the Optimizer and again something I felt I could live without. Of the calibrators to whom I spoke, one felt that was a major shortcoming, whilst the other seemed to think it more "meh" since it is sort of sprinkles on the icing of a very big cake. Instead of the user PEQ, the JBL version comes preloaded with fixed PEQ (they changed the name to AEQ) settings for a variety of Revel and JBL speakers using their measured data. I thought that was kind of cool, but again is sort of layered on top of the basic (and very extensive) filter structures already there, so I didn't feel it a big deal either way. It is sort of like adding an EQ that helps correct the speakers' response before the room correction SW. In the end, the Optimizer lets you enter your own curves to whatever you feel appropriate.
I think there are a couple of other minor differences but don't recall them now. Some of the differences are less now compared to when I purchased as JBL and Trinnov have been working together so the platforms are merging.
HTH - Don
