Question Help me understand my new Denon receiver

[ttonks93]

Hi,

So i have just installed my 5.1.2 setup with a Denon X1800h and i need some help understanding the different sound modes.

I have Atmos enabled on my Xbox One X, how do i get my receiver to output Atmos? I understand if i use “direct” this would disable any EQ i have which i don’t want to do. If i select game i only get the choice of Dolby Surround and stereo, no option for Atmos.

Any ideas?

 

[dwd999]

How to you have your equipment connected together? Normally you would connect the Xbox to your TV with an HDMI cable and connect the TV's eARC output to your receiver. Also you describe your system as 5.1.2; does this mean you have 8 speakers including 2 atmos speakers. Did you set the receiver Set “Amp Assign” to “7.1ch” and set “Height” to “Front Dolby” in the menu as shown on page 45 and 191 of the manual?

 

[Aeacus]

Help me understand my new Denon receiver

You did read the holy bible of AV receivers, right?

If not, download it from here: https://www.denon.com/en-us/product/av-receivers/avr-x1800h/300773-new.html#specifications

Page 30;

Place the FRONT Dolby Atmos Enabled speaker on the front speaker.

About Dolby Atmos Enabled speakers
Dolby Atmos Enabled speakers reflect the sound off the ceiling to allow the sound to come from over your head by using a special upward-pointing speaker that is placed on the floor.

Page 31;

The “Speaker Virtualizer” must be set to “On” for Dolby Atmos playback with 5.1-channel speaker configurations or less.

Page 157;

The Speaker Virtualizer enhances the surround and height speaker channels to create an enveloping virtual surround effect.

* You can set this when the sound mode is “Dolby Atmos”, “Dolby Surround” or sound mode that has “+Dolby Surround” in the sound mode name.
* Usable when not using height, ceiling or Dolby Atmos Enabled speakers, or when not using surround speakers.
* Audio is not output from the surround back speaker if “Speaker Virtualizer” is set to “On” when “Speaker Layout” - “Surround Back” is set to “1 spkr” in the menu.

And there are actually quite a lot of useful reading in the holy bible of AV receivers. E.g page 121 describes all sound mode types.

But the bottom line is, that you need to have Dolby Atmos Enabled speakers, for Dolby Atmos to work.
Do you have such speakers?

Also, wired correctly?
Since based on the diagram on page 45, you either need 7.1 surround, with two Dolby Atmos enabled speakers pointing to the ceiling (FDL and FDR on diagram)
or
diagram on page 46, you need 5.1 surround with surround Dolby Atmos endabled speakers (SDL and SDR on diagram).

Since Dolby Atmos is 3D sound (including sound from above), it doesn't work with your standard, run-of-the-mill speakers.

 

[ttonks93]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into that link. I have a top middle setup. With the height speakers mounted on the ceiling angled down. A few degrees infront of the listening position as per Dolbys instructions. Hardware is setup fine, just need to fine tune the setting.

Regarding the Audyssey setup, i have done everything automatically. The only issue i have is the subwoofer is too quiet and my fronts have been set to full range. Should i keep my fronts at full range or add a crossover to protect them from very low frequencies? Also how many db should i increase my subwoofer if it’s too quiet for my preference?

Crossover frequencies currently are: front (full range), centre (60hz), surround (60hz) and top middle (80hz). What crossover should my subwoofer be set to? 80hz?

I can share my Audyssey results if need be.

Thanks

 

[dwd999]

I would set the crossovers for whatever the subwoofer manufacturer recommends; if they recommend a range then the middle of the range. And front should not be set to full range.

 

[Unolocogringo]

Do not set fronts to full if you do not have Full range speakers.
A full tower or something with an 6 inch or larger driver.
The low sub is probably from this setting. It is expecting the fronts to play down into the lower ranges so it is set to a lower crossover point and output lever.
Try crossover points about200-250 hz is you are using small speakers.
Knowing what speakers you are using would help it would tell us how far down they play before rolling off on the bottom end.

The sub will have to be tuned to your room.
Every set up is different and every room is different.
I always try to do a complete flat response from high to low.
My wife loves a little boomier bass so the kitchen and craft room are set to thump you in the chest and rattle dishes when she cranks it up.