The most notable systems here are Yamaha's YPAO and Pioneer's MCACC system – both systems were developed by their respective manufacturers and can therefore be particularly flexibly adapted to the devices. Here too, we compare the two current devices at the maximum expansion level of the calibration system:
The Pioneer SC-LX83 and the Yamaha RX-V3067.
Many of the smaller models offer slightly pared-down versions of the calibration variants, so the general conclusions of the summary should also apply to the smaller models.
The following overview first shows the general capabilities of the 3 systems. We have calibrated each device in several rooms and on different systems and compared the measurement results.
Certainly, the results can be evaluated subjectively – we base our assessment on the technical specifications of the connected speaker systems. We will discuss sound recommendations/differences in separate articles if there is interest.
To briefly explain how we arrived at the results: All three systems offer frequency response and delay correction at a similar level. The Pioneer stands out with its separate room mode detection and is number one here – it filters with varying slope steepness in the particularly critical areas and displays these separately in the menu. This provides the most effective weapon against standing waves and associated booming. However, due to the 1-point measurement, where the microphone is not placed at multiple locations like with Denon or Yamaha, measurements in particularly critical setups sometimes lead to not perfectly adjusted crossover frequencies for the speakers. For example, the surround speakers of our Monitor-Audio-Silver RX system were sometimes crossed over at 60 Hz and sometimes at 80 Hz with identical measurements. Yamaha and Denon always achieved identical results here.
Yamaha and Pioneer offer the possibility of measuring completely different positions and recalling them separately – Audyssey does not work as flexibly; here I can only optimize for a single listening area – meaning I cannot switch between different listening positions.
Automatic calibration:
For this, Audyssey delivered the best and most reliable results with careful calibration, provided the setup was carried out meticulously. All crossover frequencies are set correctly automatically, regardless of whether the speakers are small or large. The Pioneer achieves the second-best result in the field – despite only a single microphone positioning. Only in very critical rooms or with very different speaker sizes does MCACC reach its limits. For example, the system can only set a single crossover frequency – too little if you use, for example, larger floor-standing speakers, a medium-sized center, and very small rears (e.g., the combination Monitor Audio RX-6, RX-LCR, and Radius 90HD).
Yamaha is more variable regarding crossover frequencies but often crosses over the speakers unacceptably high, making the sound unnaturally thin. In a living room with strong room modes, for example, it always crossed over the nuWave 105 floor-standing speakers at 220Hz – unacceptable. Even in rooms with better acoustics, the results were not convincing:
The KEF IQ series set was also crossed over much too high (iQ7/80Hz, iQ60c/90Hz, iQ1/200!Hz). So, after automatic calibration, the set sounded like a satellite system.
Even the 3-point angle measurement for the surround speakers cannot help here – especially since I wonder why this interesting system does not directly measure ALL angles (Front? Surround-Back?).
Manual Optimizations:
The Yamaha can compensate for the weak results of automatic calibration with the best adjustment options. With no other AV receiver can frequency response, filter slope, etc., be corrected so easily and quickly in the equalizer.
The Pioneer also offers a great many precise adjustment options but cannot keep up with the Yamaha. Particularly interesting with the Pioneer is the separate measurement – and display – of the room's natural modes.
The self-contained Audyssey system is rather sparsely equipped in this regard – manual corrections can only be made imprecisely and quite complicatedly. The Audyssey Pro calibration system, which is fully configured on a computer and transferred from there, is supposed to remedy this. We will deal with this system separately.
Conclusion
Despite room calibration, correct speaker placement is immensely important – the more the correction has to intervene, the more it distorts the sound. Large speakers should be placed with some distance from the wall and angled if close to a side wall. The center should be flush with the front – and not "at the back of the shelf". I prefer to aim the surround speakers at the center – then there is a good sound result in a large listening area.
Overall, the following recommendation results (regardless of the sound performance, but that's a matter of taste anyway):
Audyssey: The Denon is the classic among the devices – and offers the most convincing calibration overall when it comes to achieving an optimal result in one listening area (e.g., on a sofa). The nature of the speaker set is secondary here – the result is always "top" with good speaker placement. This makes the Denon suitable for ambitious beginners and upgraders who are not afraid of general settings but do not trust themselves with manual sound adjustment.
MCACC: If it should be easy. The Pioneer calibrates quickly and precisely, offers fewer overall settings, and is therefore also clear to operate. A great device – especially if the set is homogeneous and all speakers have a similar size. With very different speakers, the bass management limits the possibilities.
YPAO: Yamaha, with YPAO, has narrowed the gap to Pioneer and Denon in terms of calibration. The results are not perfect, however, as large speakers are crossed over too high. However, manual correction is currently the clear number 1. This makes the Yamaha RX-V3067 particularly suitable for anyone with ambitions to manually perfect their system. The editing options for the measurement results are gigantic – allowing personal listening preferences to be perfectly satisfied. This makes it THE top device for all ambitious users who want to delve deeper into the subject.
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