Setting Up the AVR-3805 Receiver: Manual and Auto Setup

All measurements for the receiver's configuration should be taken from the listening position, both in measuring distance and SPL levels. For Reference System 3 we came up with the following settings:

I love the ability to set speaker distances with a .1 ft tolerance. For overseas users, the Denon even enables the user to configure the system in .01 meter increments. Using .01 meter increments will result in more accuracy regardless of what measurement system you typically utilize (.1 ft = 1.2" increments while .01m = .394" increments.)

Once the system was configured I noted the settings and continued with my evaluation period for several weeks.

Auto setup and Room EQ are emerging trends that now come standard with several models from Yamaha, Denon and Pioneer. Once I decided it was time to test the Auto Setup functions of the AVR-3805, I redid my manual setup to ensure that my system had not changed from the settings I had previously engaged. They were spot on and I recorded their settings for later comparison.

Verify/set your crossover frequency FIRST, before running any tests or auto setup. Auto setup will NOT adjust your crossover frequency.

Next, I proceeded to connect the Denon DM-S305 condenser microphone to the front of the receiver. I was careful to position the omni-directional microphone at exactly the listening position - precisely where the SPL meter was placed during the manual setup. The DM-S305 microphone is a $60 option and is a plug-and-play solution requiring no calibration of its own or level adjustment. This is an advantage for those looking to utilize the automatic configuration and EQ functions of the AVR-3805. It comes with a threaded insert on the bottom of the mic which is surrounded by a thin rubberized pad, providing sufficient isolation when mounted on a camera-style tripod (the mic is not designed for standard 5/8" threaded microphone stands.)

To begin auto calibration, click on "Auto Setup" from the Auto Setup / Room EQ Menu. The Denon will now remind you to Connect the Microphone and verify whether you are using the powered Surround Back speakers. Simply guide the remote down to the Start text and cursor left to begin. A good suggestion would be to run this setup in the evening, when ambient noise generally subsides by about 10dB or more. You will also want to turn off any air conditioning and remove small children from the room prior to performing auto calibration.

During calibration the Denon will produce a 2 second burst of pink noise from each speaker, checking frequency response, distance, level and phase. The starting volume for the test is automatically set by the AVR-3805 so there is no need to pre-set the receiver's volume at any particular level (another advantage of having a digitally-controlled analogue volume.)

The order for the tests is Front Left, Front Right, Center, Subwoofer (measured twice), Surround Left A, Surround Right A, Surround Left B, Surround Right B, Surround Back Left, Surround Back Right (these last two will not be displayed or tested when Zone 2 or Zone 3 is configured in the Auto Setup menu. Each test burst is accompanied by the word "Measuring" which appears on the monitor output as well as the Denon's digital display.

This single pink noise burst not only results in distance, speaker type and level settings, but also configures the parametric EQ settings as well (which by default are off.) At the conclusion of the Auto Setup you will be able to view the speaker configuration, delay times, and channel levels as set by the Denon receiver. Auto Setup rendered my system in the following manner:

You can see by the highlighted numbers that the AVR-3805, while not wrong configures speaker systems according to a fixed set of rules (see inset "Important notes on Denon Room EQ"). I would not, for example, consider the high performance RBH Sound 61-LSEs to be Large speakers as they perform strongly down to 45Hz but are not equipped to handle crucial lower frequencies at high SPLs.

In Reference System 3 I generally prefer sending all frequencies below at least 60Hz to the subwoofer. Every room and system is different, however and you may not choose to do the same in yours. In addition to this, I have been experimenting with utilizing the THX standard of 80Hz for home theater and music use which has produced excellent results as well.