Set-Up and Configuration

One of my biggest fears (other than physically moving this unit onto my shelf) was the overwhelming configuration possibilities that I thought would require a PhD to properly operate. Realizing the complexity of this receiver, Denon opened up a certification training class for their Custom Installers and were nice enough to invite me to one of the first classes. This course, about 8 hours in length, runs you through all of the configuration and setup options of this receiver. It first teaches you the difference between assigning and configuring the channels and power amplifiers and then guides you through the most important sections of configuration. Perhaps the most important lesson in this class was that many of the settings in each menu directly affect other settings. For example, assigning channel configurations will alter the options you have for power amp assignments. Another example f this shows up when assigning audio and video inputs. The AVR-5805 will set priority to HDMI configurations, so if you inadvertently configure your video options after assigning audio options for a particular input, it will default that input to HDMI for both audio and video. Because of this, my advice would be to configure all of your video options before setting up audio. In fact, listed below are my recommendations for configuring the AVR-5805 for the first time.

Recommended Initial Set-Up Configuration Procedure for the AVR-5805

Step #1: Enter M enu Option 4: Video Setup and assign your video inputs and connectivity.

Step #2: Enter M enu Option 3: Audio Input Setup and assign your audio inputs and connectivity.

Step #3*: Enter Menu Option 7: Option Setup and configure your channel setup and power amp assignments, followed by Trigger options.

Step #4: Enter M enu Option 1: Auto Setup/Room EQ , connect the Denon supplied microphone and begin auto calibration following the prompts on screen.

Step #5: (optional) Enter M enu Option 2-2: Subwoofer Setup and configure Subwoofer M ode to "LFE+ M ain " if you desire subwoofer output derived from M ain channels set to "Large" as well as M enu Option 5: Advanced Playback to enable subwoofer output in 2CH mode.

* Alternatively you can configure channel and amplifier assignments in the Auto Setup menu from Step #4 before engaging the auto mic calibration.

After the auto calibration completes, you still have to enable your desired EQ response (if any). There are two ways to accomplish this: 1) via the OSD menu under the 1.2 screen, and the other via a hot key on the remote labeled "EQ". I prefer the former since you can toggle the Audyssey EQ on/off on the fly while listening to determine your preference as opposed to toggling though the gamut of EQ options. In menu option 1-2 Room EQ Setup you can assign what surround modes have the EQ applied. You can even enable the EQ for Pure Direct mode in option 1-3 Direct Mode Setup.

The channel configuration options seem endless and are certainly the most comprehensive in a single box solution to date. In my setup I chose 7.1 with dual subwoofers configured as Left and Right stereo pairs. This is ideal for stereo two-channel and is an excellent choice for home theater since the LFE and channel info from all other channels set to Small gets equally split into the two subwoofers. You can also configure the two subs for front/back and LFE/ M ain. What is icing on the cake is the fact that the AVR-5805 offers independent channel level and distance compensation for all three of the subwoofer outputs! This is essential for properly integrating a multi subwoofer system short of making these adjustments via the subwoofer amplifiers (except for distance compensation). Zones 3 and 4 can be configured as stereo or mono and even employ an optional HPF set for 80Hz. Remarkably, the main zone can be shut off via the remote so users operating other zones can't fool with the settings. We will revisit Zone2 5.1CH in a future article when we exercise the AVR-5805's full multi function capabilities in a new home theater environment.

Editorial Note on Subwoofer(s) Configuration of the Denon AVR-5805
The AVR-5805 is the most versatile product on the market not only for bass management, but for subwoofer integration and configurability, particularly when dealing with multiple subs. It allows you to assign up to three subwoofers for the primary zone, designate channel assignments for each sub, and sports independent distance and level compensation and crossover frequencies. With this much sophistication comes careful planning and configuration by the end user or installer. Following these basic guidelines will help ensure your subwoofers are properly managed and configured:

• Identify how many subwoofers are in your system.
• Identify their location(s).
• Assign them the proper output composition as shown in the table matrix on page 99 of the user manual.
• i.e. for 2 sub systems your choices include L/R, F/B, LFE/ Main.
• *For 3 sub systems your choices include L/R/LFE (an option we will explore in a follow up article), F/B/LFE.
• *Note you cannot use 3 sub configurations if you plan on setting up a 5.1 system for Zone2.
• Identify your speaker configuration to determine subwoofer connection pre outs as per the connection tables on page 100 of the user manual. This is important as the subwoofer connection pre outs are different for 5.1, 7.1 and 9.1 speaker configurations.

Next up is power amp assignment, touted by Denon as the industry's first fully assignable amp section. There are several standard configurations to choose from, including the pictured Bi-Amp Front mode which is what I used in my set-up, as well as a custom mode to let you assign exactly what channels get amplified. In order to Biamp prior Denon receivers such as the AVR-5803, it required a fairly comprehensive and methodical procedure to ensure proper level matching and assignability. Not anymore! Now all you have to do is select this function and the amp gains in Biamp mode are perfectly matched. I even checked them with an R M S meter and found each amplifier to be within 10mv (.008dB) of each other. Now that is excellent channel matching! I could have opted to biamp the center channel as well with the extra available amp but found little use for it and decided against it.

Just like with the AVR-5803, the AVR-5805 provisions for two types of surround speakers labeled SPK A and SPK B. The idea here is to allow the user switchability of the rear channels between direct radiators for music and dipole/bipole for movies. It even remembers the proper calibration for each and, if you prefer, you can have two sets of speakers running off of SPK A and SPK B simultaneously. Talk about having your cake and eating it too! To take it one step further, Denon also incorporated an independent trigger with assignability for each type of surround mode allowing the audiophile and home theater aficionado the option of altering driver configurations on hybrid speakers that accept triggers to take advantage of such functionality.