To audyssey or not to audyssey, that is the ...?

The balanced version of the Sound Equalizer is now available.

Kal

My experiences with Audyssey are similar to Dlcockrum's. I helped a friend calibrate his HT system using an Integra 9.8. When we A/B'd Audyssey vs. the unprocessed signal, we both preferred the unprocessed signal, and not by a little. In his Integra, Audyssey sounded, well, "processed." That is to say, it sounded harmonically thin, two dimensional, and generally "electronic." He wound up not using it. However, he did not have the Audyssey Pro Kit, or the stand alone Audyssey processor, so I cannot comment whether they would result in a similar degradation to the sound. I suspect the results would have been better with either of those.

Having said that, I use Meridian Room Correction (along with Room EQ Wizard software and a Behringer microphone) for both music and movies in my own system, and the results are excellent. It my room, using Meridian Room Correction is significantly better than not. By EQ'ing out the room modes under 200Hz, the bass is more balanced, more pitch specific, faster, and generally more musical. It does this without the addition of the "processed sounding" artifacts I mentioned above.

So I guess, regarding the question of whether to EQ or not, I would say: It all depends on the implementation. You will probably have to try it in your system and hear for yourself. Good luck.

I have the Audyssey stand alone unit and the pro software, but have yet to set it up. Probably will do so in the next couple of weeks. Will post views at that time (this is for stereo only for me).

My own view is that the use of Audyssey or similar is absolutely imperative for room related issues in the bass region. The cost/benefit analysis higher up in frequency, however, seems to be much more variable depending on the individual listener making the decision. So...

The Audyssey/SVS unit is designed to work with subwoofers while allowing a more "traditional" (unequalized) audiophile style main signal path. I use the Velodyne SMS-1 with subs in this fashion. The only interruption in my main path is a (benign sounding - to my ear) NHT active x-over unit. If you're willing to use a subwoofer based system, this may be a "have you cake and eat it, too" solution.

As always, YMMV.

Marty

YMMV is the key. With that principle foremost, I went with the NeptuneEQ. It has a 30 day trial unlike Audyssey. I love the results with my Meridian system. Check Kal's review.