Hook Me Up: Audyssey

[lapopal]

Might be old news to some, but for those who don't know this is very informative.

In the last few years, video has been grabbing most of the headlines. Maybe you're not familiar with Audyssey, but this breakthrough acoustical-correction technology is showing up in the latest-generation A/V receivers to infuse new life into home theaters everywhere.

http://hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/807hook/

[57]

Many AVRs have a similar Technology. Yamaha has had YPAO for years.

http://www.yamaha.ca/av/technology/YPAO.jsp

[darthpaul]

YPAO and Audyssey are very different....

[57]

Please explain the significant differences to me. It seems that both:

- Use a microphone placed appropriately
- Send an automated series of test tones over a period of time
- Adjust the speaker volumes
- Utilize equalization (YPAO is parametric)
- Adjust speaker distances
- Check for polarity
- Have several memories
- Adjust the speaker "size" based on the feedback.

I'm not saying that one is better than the other, I'd just like to hear how Audyssey is "very different".

I also understand that the systems are not identical "across the board". For example, the least expensive AVRs from each brand would not utilize the exact same system as say the flagship AVR from the same brand.

[darthpaul]

Main difference would be IIR filters and single mic position with the YPAO,

and FIR filters and multi mic positions with the Audyssey (3-32 depending on the level of Audyssey).

[darthpaul]

Good read from the Audyssey homepage about what they do different...



http://www.audyssey.com/technology/index.html

[57]

I don't want this to seem argumentative, nor am I trying to push a particular brand, however, it doesn't illustrate what it does differently, it only states what it does.

Although there are some differences, the main points - like individual speaker volume and distance calibrations, are done by any of these "auto-setup" programmes. The sophistication of the programmes increases as AVR price increases, or with newer AVRs.

multi mic positions with the Audyssey (3-32 depending on the level of Audyssey)

You stated this as a difference earlier but some of the other programmes have the same capability. See below as an example:

Yamaha’s YPAO system uses a small microphone and sophisticated equalization to automatically set the best sound for any room, no matter where the speakers are. First it checks the speaker connections and phase of each speaker. Then it sends out tones which are captured by the microphone to analyze the room acoustics and sets a variety of parameters, such as the speaker size, the distance of the speakers and even the sound pressure level, etc. Until it achieves the best sound conditions for your room and you don't have to do anything!
RX-V2500 and newer models have an improved system that is faster (less than three minutes), also adjusts frequency response, and provides three programed EQ patterns, plus the ability to manually adjust parametric EQ settings. Six YPAO settings can be held in memory and recalled via two system memory buttons on the remote control.

[darthpaul]

No worries....

It sounds as though YPAO will allow you to save different settings depending on mic position....

Audyssey differs, in that it uses the multiple mic position readings to gain an acoustically accurate representation or overall "thumb print" of your room/listening area, and makes adjustments based on these readings (not just a single mic position reading)..

[57]

Thanks for bearing with me on this. By pointing out what the various programmes do and what differences there are, eveyone learns.