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I finally got the QS8s mounted. I seem to have an overall sound problem before mounting them. It's an over-bright and fatiguing sound. It may be caused either by mounting the 3 M22's over the TV (doubtful), or it's Audysses's inability to process sound from all these speakers properly, or it's some error I'm making. Adding the surrounds only increased the problem.

I've started using the 8 position mic calibration, keeping the mike between the rather narrow mains. This has helped to increase the bass and overall sound. But some upper frequencies, mainly female voice and a bit higher become irritatingly bright. This seems to have started when I finished adding the furniture and rug.

I'm finding myself turning the volume down to avoid any unpleasantries. This never was a problem in the past. I never had this problem with MCACC. My mind keeps drifting towards selling this Denon 3312ci and getting another Pioneer Elite.

Turning Audyssey off doesn't produce better results. It then becomes more of a muted sound that I don't like. Turning Audyssey on opens up the upper end and makes it become alive sounding. Only a little too much. Anyone know a fix for this problem?

I like the Pioneer SC-65 model. $1600 msrp. $1139 Amazon. Don't have funds for it right now, but will watch pricing and snag one when I find it lower.

Another question, or just daydreaming for now.

My couch is 2 feet, puts head at 3 feet, from back wall.

I have a 4 1/2 foot central area I can install back speakers.

I have 2 unused on-wall m22's.

My logical options for back speakers are:
1) mount one of these in the middle for a 6.1 system.
2) mount 2 of these 4 foot apart for a 7.1 system.
3) purchase and mount 1 QS8 in the center for a 6.1 system.

I'm not sure of the effect of using direct radiators this close to the seating area for rear surrounds. Would need to purchase more speaker wire so I can try it out.

Finished running wires on this one. In wall, down and out behind baseboard, down through groove in drywall, through a hole I drilled into basement. Around square corner in basement ceiling, up to receiver.



Haven't run wires on this one yet. Will probably run along bottom of drywall, in a groove behind baseboard to steps. Inside and under steps, left to area under TV, then up to receiver. Can't go to basement, too much ductwork in the way.

Brian, adding the furniture and rug should have the effect of making the room a bit less "alive", so what you observed is puzzling. As far as the Audyssey effect on this, using the "Audyssey" curve rather than the "Flat" curve creates a gentle treble roll-off.

Using a single back surround speaker immediately behind the listener generally isn't a good idea and can make some sounds intended to image in back instead appear to come from the front.

Having two M22s just about three feet behind you sounds too close-up for a good back surround effect. One thing you might experiment with to give a more diffuse sound is to put the M22s flat on the floor behind the couch, separated about four feet and firing up toward the ceiling.

I am using the Audyssey curve instead of flat now for that reason. There is a manual choice for Audyssey, but don't know how to access any manual EQ adjustments. I went back to pointing the upper speakers more straight ahead than I had them to minimize the tweeters a bit. This is how the picture shows them.

Putting the speakers on the floor pointing upward would probably be too tempting for the cat to use them as something to scratch on. Other than that, it might work. I'm thinking a single QS8 might work in that rear position then.

Just watched the train wreck in Super 8. The surrounds added a lot to that. Surrounds at front wide position adds more dimensionality than just the mains, especially with mains as close together as mine. Will try these for a week, then switch to wides to see which has the best overall effects.

No; as mentioned some time ago, there are no manual Audyssey eq adjustments possible. The only manual eq settings aren't part of Audyssey and if Audyssey isn't used, a series of settings at a few specific frequencies can be made, but nothing similar to the many frequency and time adjustments that Audyssey makes.

Edit: if not directly on the floor, maybe in the same position but raised a couple feet on some type of support.

That's making me want a Pioneer even more. With the Elite model I had, I could save up to 6 seating positions. Tweak and save EQ settings for each speaker. Have additional bass boost and cut. Have additional high end curves that is somewhat adjustable.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1050097/official-denon-avr-1909-789-thread/3180#post_15252779

An old thread of Audyssey vs MCACC.

Since you're already using the "Audyssey" curve, about the only other suggestion would be to turn Dynamic EQ off(no tone control setting is available while it's on)but leave Audyssey on, and in the parameter menu adjust the treble tone control. Vary it over the +/- 6dB range and see if you find any improvement in what you describe.