I realize this is not a new or even mid range AVR,but I have been running this AVR for about a month now. I have yet to be satisfied with the audio. I also know it depends on many factors, but my old Panasonic HTIB was clearer and more dynamic,if not lacking on bass and low end.

I have a 6.1 setup.I am using 2 Bose 201 for L and R, a huge Paradigm center channel (not sure model info,not on back of it,and was a freebie) Paradigm cinema 90's for SL and SR and another Paradigm center for single Sb. Used Pioneers MCACC mic setup,fined tuned levels and distances,etc. The sound is average,but other than a ton of bass from the 10" Paradigm sub, there is poor voice quality in movies, very flat and distant, and other effects are boring sounding,and much less dynamic than what they should be, IMO. Do I look at a new AVR first, like the Pioneer VSX-1018? or is it the Bose L and R. The system was my Fathers that he bought new for his house 2 years ago.He has sinced moved into a townhome,and wanted something more compact. I regret it so far...

The AVR is for DVDs or HD Tv only,rarely for music,and I have no BR yet,but will likely by Xmas.

Just interested in any and all opinions.
Thanks

You mention fine-tuning - does that mean the values generated by the MCACC were manually adjusted later.

Some people find it helpful to increase the cc by 2/3 db (for dialog).

The sub output (or gain on the sub) could be too high.

This AVR is quite decent - I'd suggest another round of tuning before giving up on it.

Finally, you should check the impedence of the speakers and set the AVR to match (although I don't know if the 816 supports 4 ohms).

Yes, after I ran the MCACC, I checked the setup in the Manual SP setup.The distances it gave for each speaker were good,except for the the SL,which was out by 6 feet. Perhaps this is correct for the room acoustics,plus I have no idea the length of the in wall wiring, as it was done by xomeone else.I do now it is aleast 25' long,14 gauge Home Depot wire. Anyways, I did turn the CC up by 3-4 db,and the sub is at 0db level. I will check the ohm rating next. Also, I have read that the BOSE 201's may not be up to the task as front speakers,better as surrounds? Hmmm....

I checked all speakers have an 8ohm rating,and receiver is set for that.

Since I have turned the CC up, and it is supposed to be doing the majority of the work in dialogue and effects, is it the speaker which is not up to the task? The BOSE 201s sound good listening to music,its just TV and Movies that are boring. Found these specs for my CC.

Paradigm CC170 Cemter Channel Speaker
Speaker system
Speaker Type: 2-way - passive
Response Bandwidth: 70 - 20000 Hz
Input Impedance: 8 Ohm
Recommended Amplifier Power: 15 - 120 Watt
Sensitivity: 90 dB
Crossover Frequency: 2500Hz
Speaker system details
Speakers Included: Center channel speaker - 2-way - 70 - 20000 Hz - 8 Ohm
Driver Details:
Center channel speaker : 1 x high-frequency driver - 3/4" - ceramic
Center channel speaker : 2 x mid/woofer driver - 5.5" - polypropylene

Opinions?

Well I have reinstalled the whole system (re connecting all cables,etc.) . I ran the AUTO MCACC again. After it was done,I realized that it virtually eliminated the SW?! It said to turn down the SW Output during the test,and I did until it continued on,but man,was it ever noticeably absent afterwards. It also set my speaker setup to LARGE,when they really need to be SMALL as they have no real bass themselves,or so I think. I left it LARGE and started up Revenge of the Sith. It opens with a deep rumble,then zip,zip the ships come in R to L and all the great space action. ALL I can say is,no bass at all,and the ships must have had good mufflers!!! (This scene used to wow me on my old HTiB everytime!) I changed the SW output back to the way it was before redoing it,changed the speaker setup to SMALL, and re- ran the scene.Good rumbling now,but the effect sounds in the scene are dull,tinny, or muted....I gotta believe the AVR is letting me down. I'll be checking the shops this weekend to see who has the best return policy as I try out some new ones.!

Still interested in opinions though!