Dynamic Range Help - Yamaha

[sdcfan18]

Note: Tried to find answers by searching but came up with very little.

I have 2 questions that have been driving me nuts and wasn't sure if this should be posted on this site, a general HT site, or the Emotiva site, but I enjoy this forum to most, so here it is...

1) As you can see from my sig, I have RTi10's, CSi A6, a Yamaha 6190 (= 1800), and an EMO XPA-3. I hooked up the XPA-3 just this weekend and noticed a difference, but to be honest was a little disappointed. It sounded much better than just the Yamaha, but wasn't what I hoped for.

I has some time this afternoon to really play with the system and try to figure out what I was doing wrong. I couldn't believe that Emotiva got this many good reviews with the results I was getting.

I got into the AVR settings and came to the Dynamic Range section. This is what the manual says:

■ Dynamic range C)DYNAMIC RANGE
Use this feature to select the amount of dynamic range
compression to be applied to your speakers or
headphones. This setting is effective only when this unit is
decoding bitstream signals.
Speakers SPEAKER
Adjusts the dynamic range compression for the speakers.
Headphones HEADPHONE
Adjusts the dynamic range compression for the
headphones.

B)LFE LEVEL
SPEAKER;;;;;;0dB
HEADPHONE;;;;0dB
UP/DOWN
Adjust

Choice Functions
MIN/AUTO
• MIN: Adjusts the dynamic range to narrow
when this unit is decoding bitstream signals
(except Dolby TrueHD).
• AUTO: Adjusts the dynamic range according
to the instruction of the input source signals
when this unit is decoding Dolby TrueHD
signals.

STD Adjusts the dynamic range to medium. When
this unit is decoding Dolby TrueHD signals, the
dynamic range control is always active
regardless of the instruction of the input source
signals.

MAX Preserves the greatest amount of dynamic range.

Now I don't have a Degree in anything related to this kind of stuff, but I feel I have a better than average understanding of what things mean in the setup menu. That being said, can someone explain to me what this means in layman's terms? I had it set on MIN/AUTO and was REALLY impressed with speakers once I switched it to MAX.

In short, I'm looking to figure out what Dynamic Range is and what is happening when I turn it to MAX? Also, it mentions Dolby HD in the manual, but this setting makes everything sound better, not just BluRays.

2) Is there some tool I could be using to set the EQ? There are two sections in the manual about EQ:

Parametric equalizer type EQ
Parametric equalizer adjusts the level of the specified
frequency bands. This unit automatically selects the
crucial frequency bands for the listening room and
adjusts the level of the selected frequency bands to
create a cohesive sound field in the room. You can
select the type of the parametric equalizer adjustment
from the following choices.
Choices: NATURAL, FLAT, FRONT, SKIP
• Select “NATURAL” to average out the frequency
response of all speakers with higher frequencies
being less emphasized. Recommended if the FLAT
setting sounds a little harsh.
• Select “FLAT” to average the frequency response
of all speakers. Recommended if all of your
speakers are of similar quality.
• Select “FRONT” to adjust the frequency response
of each speaker in accordance with the sound of
your front speakers. Recommended if your front
speakers are of much higher quality than your other
speakers.
• Select “SKIP” to skip this item and perform no
adjustments

and

Graphic equalizer GEQ
Use this feature to match the tonal quality of the center,
surround L/R and surround back L/R, surround back,
presence L/R speakers and the subwoofer with that of the
front L/R speakers. You can adjust 7 frequency bands (63
Hz, 160 Hz, 400 Hz, 1 kHz, 2.5 kHz, 6.3 kHz, 16 kHz).
Control range: –6.0 dB to +6.0 dB
Control step: 0.5 dB


Can some please explain this to me. I feel really dumb not being able to figure this out, but CP has always been there to help in the past.

In short, is there a tool of calibrating EQ and which would be better (Preset EQ options or one done through the Graphic EQ)?

Thanks in advance folks.

[WilliamM2]

The dynamic range control is for night viewing, or other times that you do not want to turn the volume up to hear dialog. I have the 1800, and always leave it at MAX. As you noticed, that is when you will get the best sound.

For the parametric EQ, you need to use the YPAO mic. I set mine up to "Front". This leaves the front speakers un-touched, and will EQ the other speakers to match it. For best results, set your speaker sizes manually first, and when running YAPO tell it to skip the speaker size detection. It always sets everything to large.

[sdcfan18]

The dynamic range control is for night viewing, or other times that you do not want to turn the volume up to hear dialog. I have the 1800, and always leave it at MAX. As you noticed, that is when you will get the best sound.

For the parametric EQ, you need to use the YPAO mic. I set mine up to "Front". This leaves the front speakers un-touched, and will EQ the other speakers to match it. For best results, set your speaker sizes manually first, and when running YAPO tell it to skip the speaker size detection. It always sets everything to large.

Thanks so much, that is VERY helpful.

Anyone got info on the GEQ? Is that like calibrating your TV, but for sound?

[WilliamM2]

Thanks so much, that is VERY helpful.

Anyone got info on the GEQ? Is that like calibrating your TV, but for sound?

It's graphic EQ. You can set the different frequencies manually. I wouldn't bother with it, you can only use the PEQ or EQ, not both.