Audyssey's Next Generation of Room Correction (MultEQ-X)

[Rob63]

Hey Everyone,

I have followed/enjoyed reading the forum for a while. Hopefully, my first post is worthwhile.
I was on the fence for a while considering whether to purchase the Audyssey Multeq-X app but I'm glad I did. I have used the multeq iphone app for a year or so in conjunction with the ratbuddyssey software/Excel to create house curves. For me those tools made a noticeable improvement in the sound of my system (5.2.4). However, I found it a bit cumbersome to construct/modify curves accurately. I was initially skeptical of any improvements in the new app if it used the same algorithms but based on some feedback I read I decided it was worth a try. Apart from sound improvement, the new app gives much more detailed response for each of the speakers and the detected crossovers. Also, volume matching of subs I've found to be easier and more precise, though it takes longer for the volume to settle down. My AVR timed-out a couple of times during the initial calibration using the multeq-x app but I was able to pretty much pick up the measurements where I left off which is a plus. It did require that I re-measure the subs in the 1st (MPL) position but after that I could continue and finish out the measurements. I took 9 measurements all together though I think you can do up to 32 if you really want. With some experimenting I found adding a 1st Order Low Shelf at freq:60, Q:1.4 Gain: 6.0, Theatre rolloff 1, MRC: On was a nice improvement over the Toole +5dB bass boost curve I was using before. I did a lot of A-B'ing and the change was very noticeable. Subjectively, to my ears the sound stage is wider and there is more even response from the sub-woofers. I've also noticed some finer details, particularly in the surround speakers with multichannel music/movies. I've even had a couple wow moments where I hadn't noticed a particular detail before. The multeq-x app set all my trims slightly higher than the multeq phone app and the distances were slightly different but in proportion to before. So, if nothing else, it's been much easier for me to achieve the results I want.

 

[wheresmymoney]

Hey Everyone,

I have followed/enjoyed reading the forum for a while. Hopefully, my first post is worthwhile.
I was on the fence for a while considering whether to purchase the Audyssey Multeq-X app but I'm glad I did. I have used the multeq iphone app for a year or so in conjunction with the ratbuddyssey software/Excel to create house curves. For me those tools made a noticeable improvement in the sound of my system (5.2.4). However, I found it a bit cumbersome to construct/modify curves accurately. I was initially skeptical of any improvements in the new app if it used the same algorithms but based on some feedback I read I decided it was worth a try. Apart from sound improvement, the new app gives much more detailed response for each of the speakers and the detected crossovers. Also, volume matching of subs I've found to be easier and more precise, though it takes longer for the volume to settle down. My AVR timed-out a couple of times during the initial calibration using the multeq-x app but I was able to pretty much pick up the measurements where I left off which is a plus. It did require that I re-measure the subs in the 1st (MPL) position but after that I could continue and finish out the measurements. I took 9 measurements all together though I think you can do up to 32 if you really want. With some experimenting I found adding a 1st Order Low Shelf at freq:60, Q:1.4 Gain: 6.0, Theatre rolloff 1, MRC: On was a nice improvement over the Toole +5dB bass boost curve I was using before. I did a lot of A-B'ing and the change was very noticeable. Subjectively, to my ears the sound stage is wider and there is more even response from the sub-woofers. I've also noticed some finer details, particularly in the surround speakers with multichannel music/movies. I've even had a couple wow moments where I hadn't noticed a particular detail before. The multeq-x app set all my trims slightly higher than the multeq phone app and the distances were slightly different but in proportion to before. So, if nothing else, it's been much easier for me to achieve the results I want.

Thanks for providing your firsthand experience with the new app.

 

[CBM]

Hey Everyone,

I have followed/enjoyed reading the forum for a while. Hopefully, my first post is worthwhile.
I was on the fence for a while considering whether to purchase the Audyssey Multeq-X app but I'm glad I did. I have used the multeq iphone app for a year or so in conjunction with the ratbuddyssey software/Excel to create house curves. For me those tools made a noticeable improvement in the sound of my system (5.2.4). However, I found it a bit cumbersome to construct/modify curves accurately. I was initially skeptical of any improvements in the new app if it used the same algorithms but based on some feedback I read I decided it was worth a try. Apart from sound improvement, the new app gives much more detailed response for each of the speakers and the detected crossovers. Also, volume matching of subs I've found to be easier and more precise, though it takes longer for the volume to settle down. My AVR timed-out a couple of times during the initial calibration using the multeq-x app but I was able to pretty much pick up the measurements where I left off which is a plus. It did require that I re-measure the subs in the 1st (MPL) position but after that I could continue and finish out the measurements. I took 9 measurements all together though I think you can do up to 32 if you really want. With some experimenting I found adding a 1st Order Low Shelf at freq:60, Q:1.4 Gain: 6.0, Theatre rolloff 1, MRC: On was a nice improvement over the Toole +5dB bass boost curve I was using before. I did a lot of A-B'ing and the change was very noticeable. Subjectively, to my ears the sound stage is wider and there is more even response from the sub-woofers. I've also noticed some finer details, particularly in the surround speakers with multichannel music/movies. I've even had a couple wow moments where I hadn't noticed a particular detail before. The multeq-x app set all my trims slightly higher than the multeq phone app and the distances were slightly different but in proportion to before. So, if nothing else, it's been much easier for me to achieve the results I want.

Thanks Rob63 for telling us about your experience. Anyone else who has tried Multeq-x who wants to share their impression?

 

[Datec]

I have used the App and then re did the calibration with the new Windows version. In just letting the software do it on its own thing the new version gave my system a better detailed front stage and the surrounds have better action. The sound is improved by just letting the software do it and when I have more free time I'm sure it would perform even better with the ability to tweak each speaker in greater detail.
So in short the new software has improved the sound by just letting it do it's own thing over the app.

 

[Datec]

What I would really like to see is the ability to utilize a more professional mic but as it stands right now there is an overall sound improvement to using the app.

 

[Fidji]

I was initially skeptical of any improvements in the new app if it used the same algorithms but based on some feedback I read I decided it was worth a try. Apart from sound improvement, the new app gives much more detailed response for each of the speakers and the detected crossovers

Thanks for the post -> just a quick q. -> does it allow to set "custom" crossovers? e.g. 55Hz? or still limited to pre-set 40-60-70-80 etc?

 

[Sal1950]

So, if nothing else, it's been much easier for me to achieve the results I want.

Great post! Thanks for your contribution to our thread.

 

[pseudoid]

Own a AVpre Rotel (RSP1576), only to facilitate audio extraction and to switch/distribute HDMIv2.0 (4 inputs X 2 outputs).
I got the t-shirt for room-EQ but it is few sizes short of my expectations.
Thanks to ASR and members, I've confirmed EQ or a software (...and its updates) solution is not my viagra.
My next "audio preamp" purchase will definitely not include the 'video' denominator in my equation.
Thank you for the post.

 

[dlaloum]

Thanks for the post -> just a quick q. -> does it allow to set "custom" crossovers? e.g. 55Hz? or still limited to pre-set 40-60-70-80 etc?

Would a 5Hz difference matter?

 

[Fidji]

Would a 5Hz difference matter?

58 vs 60Hz - probably not, but to have option to cross-over speakers, that go to down to 25Hz at 30Hz instead of 40Hz would be nice. Also to choose crossover order - might be different between ported vs sealed speakers/subwoofers. And of course - another probably meaningless tweak possibility ;-), that we crave for.

As a side note: I have Denon 8500 in my secondary system, and Audyssey with Ipad App always gets the relative subs distance and crossovers wrong. Using identical Height Speakers and difference in proposed Xover is 20Hz. Same for relative subs distance.

Just asking.

 

[dlaloum]

I really don't know whether Audyssey messes with things like crossover order ... however it's application of filters (EQ) on top of the crossover will most likely result in the desired outcome ... so it might be given the multiple ways of skinning this cat - fixed crossovers at 10Hz increments, with EQ on top achieves the goal with a simplified user interface?

Audyssey is known to sometimes get distances wrong - and lots of us have used the "tape measure method" to set those manually.... given that Audyssey doesn't to the best of my knowledge try to correct/adjust for pulse/phase response... that should work fine!

Might not work so well for a system like DIRAC Live - but then DIRAC is far less prone to distance errors according to reports...

 

[Chromatischism]

58 vs 60Hz - probably not, but to have option to cross-over speakers, that go to down to 25Hz at 30Hz instead of 40Hz would be nice. Also to choose crossover order - might be different between ported vs sealed speakers/subwoofers. And of course - another probably meaningless tweak possibility ;-), that we crave for.

As a side note: I have Denon 8500 in my secondary system, and Audyssey with Ipad App always gets the relative subs distance and crossovers wrong. Using identical Height Speakers and difference in proposed Xover is 20Hz. Same for relative subs distance.

Just asking.

5 Hz crossover frequency steps would be great. Currently there are holes missing. Why can't I choose 70 Hz??

Distances: hopefully you are not changing sub distances based on a measuring tape. Distances are actually a misleading way to represent acoustic delay and you can only really dial them in with acoustic measurements. Sorry if you already know this - not everyone does. I do not recommend anyone to adjust the measured distances of their speakers after MultEQ-X based on a tape measure. The measured distances are usually very accurate.

 

[Fidji]

5 Hz crossover frequency steps would be great. Currently there are holes missing. Why can't I choose 70 Hz??

Distances: hopefully you are not changing sub distances based on a measuring tape. Distances are actually a misleading way to represent acoustic delay and you can only really dial them in with acoustic measurements. Sorry if you already know this - not everyone does. I do not recommend anyone to adjust the measured distances of their speakers after MultEQ-X based on a tape measure. The measured distances are usually very accurate.

I mean RELATIVE subs distance - which is really funny - I am now in the process of installing acoustics treatments to my stereo/HT room, using lot of REW etc. So re-calibrating Audyssey pretty often. I run Audyssey - get anything between 15 and 75 cm relative sub to sub distance - and curve in REW looks really messy. So the first I do is to set up relative distance to 125 cm - which brings the best result [I will post the graphs later, once i get to my REW computer.

I have 7.3.4 set-up currently hooked to Denon and 7.4.4 hooked to TRINNOV. Obviously cost difference is there [I had TRINNOV adjusted by installer with Cinema preference and whole room done by installers from the start] and I like to play with Audyssey, as this is something that my small brain is able to comprehend. I do not even dare to touch TRINNOV< as whatever I have done was always for worse ;-).

Audyssey + my small cinema [2 seater, 30m2, 120 inches screen] is my playground - I buy acoustic treatments, do lot of REW, experiment and learn. BTW - this is "ASR set-up" - Denon 8500, Purifi and Hypex amps.

EDIT: comparison of "audyssey" vs "manual" multi sub [running 3 subs via minidsp without anything - basicaly using minidsp as a splitter)

 

[Dj7675]

Currently there are holes missing. Why can't I choose 70 Hz??

This always bugged me when I was using Audyssey.

 

[bobfriedman]

I voted "other" since my understanding is that there is no MacOS support. Correct me if I am wrong please.

 

[Fidji]

This always bugged me when I was using Audyssey.

gone through test mode - and it seems there are 10Hz increments now. I also missed 70Hz ;-), which was ideal for my center. Nevertheless, pulling the trigger now. Let's see what cimes out.

 

[Fidji]

pffffffffffff - this app is one real piece of shit, no offence. I am not easily offended, but this is really really bad.
Go and donate to charity of your choice, do not even bother to give it a chance.

1) does not allow to chnage relative distance of subwoofers [as opposed to manual and app set-up
2) sends completely wrong data to AVR - computer vs AVR

vs

but worst of all

this is the result - subs blue - 20 dollars app vs red 200USD app.

 

[wheresmymoney]

pffffffffffff - this app is one real piece of shit, no offence. I am not easily offended, but this is really really bad.
Go and donate to charity of your choice, do not even bother to give it a chance.

1) does not allow to chnage relative distance of subwoofers [as opposed to manual and app set-up
2) sends completely wrong data to AVR - computer vs AVR

View attachment 180807
vs
View attachment 180809

but worst of all

this is the result - subs blue - 20 dollars app vs red 200USD app.
View attachment 180811

Ouch. Out of curiosity, how many measurement positions is that with?

 

[Fidji]

Ouch. Out of curiosity, how many measurement positions is that with?

8 - in both cases, And this are literally the same positions [doing this xth time] also REW measurement is EXACTLY the same position.

 

[ABQdude]

I voted "other" since my understanding is that there is no MacOS support. Correct me if I am wrong please.

Just as a FYI, I am a Mac user on Monterey 12.1 on my iMac Pro (Intel-based) and have successfully used MultEQ-X via the free version of VMWare Fusion 12.2.1 virtualization and Windows 11. I too would rather have a Mac native program though.