I think the standard Audyssey calibration often leaves the bass sounding less than great (this does not account for your experience with Direct mode, for that you either need room treatment, tone controls, or new speakers).
I am not familiar with the Denon 2200, but I would make sure you turn on Dynamic EQ and maybe Dynamic Volume. This can help with the stock calibration settings. From there, you can turn your sub levels up a little, but that only helps with deep bass. I would also try a higher crossover point between your main speakers and the subwoofer.
You can also try a manual calibration with distances and levels and no EQ to skip Audyssey altogether. How does that sound?
With a newer receiver, you can use an iPhone/iPad app to tweak the Audyssey settings. This includes things like disabling midrange compensation, limiting EQ to lower frequencies (below 300-500 Hz), and tweaking the target curve to have more bass and mid bass. I find that a tweaked curve without the Dynamic EQ/Vol is fine.
I am not familiar with the Denon 2200, but I would make sure you turn on Dynamic EQ and maybe Dynamic Volume. This can help with the stock calibration settings. From there, you can turn your sub levels up a little, but that only helps with deep bass. I would also try a higher crossover point between your main speakers and the subwoofer.
You can also try a manual calibration with distances and levels and no EQ to skip Audyssey altogether. How does that sound?
With a newer receiver, you can use an iPhone/iPad app to tweak the Audyssey settings. This includes things like disabling midrange compensation, limiting EQ to lower frequencies (below 300-500 Hz), and tweaking the target curve to have more bass and mid bass. I find that a tweaked curve without the Dynamic EQ/Vol is fine.
Audyssey MultEQ Editor app
The latest Denon Marantz audio video products use Audyssey MultEQ for simple, accurate set-up calibration of your system to the room in which it’s used. But, now you can go further with the Audyssey MultEQ Editor app, going ‘under the hood’ to view and adjust settings for detailed tuning –...
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Audyssey MultEQ Editor app - Apps on Google Play
Audyssey MultEQ Editor app for Denon Marantz AV Receiver products
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