AV Rant #402: Interview with Chris Kyriakakis of Audyssey
This week we bring you a special interview with Chris Kyriakakis of Audyssey. In it, Chris addresses all the questions you asked and some you didn’t including:
1) What are the things to remember between the different versions of Audyssey?
2) What are some of the differences between FIR filters, parametric EQ filters, “notch” filters, etc.? And what does Audssey MultEQ use? (from Andy E.)
3) What are the sampling rate and bit-depth limitations of the various versions of MultEQ?
4) Some AVRs that include MultEQ XT or MultEQ XT32 also say that they “support MultEQ Pro”. What is MultEQ Pro? And how close does MultEQ XT32 with Sub EQ HT get to MultEQ Pro without the upgrade? (from Jason S.)
5) Should speakers that measure very well anechoically still be EQ’d? (from Andy E.) Are there any special considerations when setting non-traditional speakers such as electrostatic or magneplanar, etc.? (from Matthew D.) What about di-pole Surround speakers where the 1st measurement position will be in the null? (from Jared M.)
6) We’ve frequently recommended using Audyssey Dynamic EQ. Can you explain how Dynamic EQ works – especially the “Reference Level Offset” feature?
7) What about Dynamic Volume and Low Frequency Containment – how do those technologies work?
8) So Rob H. has introduced this myth that setting an AVR’s master volume to 0 (zero) dB prior to plugging in the Audyssey setup microphone improved the automatic setup results vs. leaving the master volume at some other setting (eg. -30dB). Is there any possible way that the setting of the master volume level prior to plugging in the setup microphone is actually making any difference what-so-ever?
9) What parts of the automatic setup process are handled by Audyssey? What parts of the setup process are dictated by the AVR’s manufacturer? For example: speaker distances, trim levels, sizes (small or large), crossover frequency.
10) Home Theater Shack has a massive “Audyssey FAQ and Setup Guide” (LINK). It’s far too large to go over everything, but we’re particularly interested to know whether their description of “How Audyssey Works” (LINK) is accurate. And we’d also like to know if their examples of various microphone placement patterns (when using a version of MultEQ that supports taking measurements from several different positions in the room) is good advice that should be followed (LINK). –(from Tony C.)
11) Related to the last part of the question above, How does Chris personally go through the Audyssey automatic setup and room correction process? Does he exit the room completely or stand in a particular spot within the room during the measurements? Does he use a particular microphone stand? Does he place the microphone in a particular pattern? (from Cameron K.)
12) Is Audyssey MultEQ going to change or introduce a new version now that Dolby Atmos is here and other “immersive audio” formats are on the horizon? Is Audyssey looking at a way to implement elevation measurements? (from Cameron K.)
13) How will the current implementations of MultEQ cope with the Atmos-enabled upward-firing speakers and Modules?
14) This year, it appears as though Onkyo/Integra opted to no longer license MultEQ. That leaves fewer manufacturers that are still offering MultEQ in their AVRs and Pre/Pros. Is Audyssey MultEQ going away? (from Cameron K.)
15) Audyssey as a company offers more than just MultEQ, what would you like to share with our listeners about Audssey’s other products and services?
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Here is a link to the Audioholics article and interview with Chris Kyriakakis that we mentioned in the podcast:
http://www.audioholics.com/room-acoustics/audyssey-room-eq-interview