Integra DRX 8.4

[Mr.Satyre]

DL recommends the UMIK-1 for use in any licensed receiver.

Specifically, you would connect the Umik to a laptop via USB, and run Dirac Live from the laptop, make adjustments (or none) to the results as preferred, then push the new setting to the receiver over your network.

It's an incredibly flexible tool, and nowhere near as scary as it looks the first time you open it up. Dirac has a great YouTube channel with very well done tutorials.

 

[Mr.Satyre]

This feature is awesome. I use this web browsing directly. It makes viewing 8.4 settings much easier.

Yes, it's definitely much nicer than digging down through all the layers in the on screen GUI.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yep... web UI is the way to go these days. AVRs without are going to be left in the wind.

The REW Support forum is super helpful for REW, but I promise, John has gotten it to where it is about painless to set up and use.

 

[Guilherme66]

I just bought the UMIK-1
Now I just have to wait anxiously.

 

[Mr.Satyre]

Don't throw away the box! You'll need that for the mic's unique id code when you go to their website and download its "profile", which you'll then need when you first use Dirac (and REW, I assume; never used it ). That tells Dirac exactly how that specific mic measured during factory testing prior to shipping to you. That way Dirac will give you the best results.

Incidentally, you can assign up to three different Dirac configurations to three different inputs in your 8.4 (one for surround, one for stereo music, one for multichannel console games), and that's easy to do using the 8.4s Advanced Web Setup.

 

[Guilherme66]

Don't throw away the box! You'll need that for the mic's unique id code when you go to their website and download its "profile", which you'll then need when you first use Dirac (and REW, I assume; never used it ). That tells Dirac exactly how that specific mic measured during factory testing prior to shipping to you. That way Dirac will give you the best results.

Incidentally, you can assign up to three different Dirac configurations to three different inputs in your 8.4 (one for surround, one for stereo music, one for multichannel console games), and that's easy to do using the 8.4s Advanced Web Setup.

Thanks for the tips.

Go to YouTube and listen to this video at 8.4.
And listen really loud.

 

[Mr.Satyre]

Thanks for the tips.

Go to YouTube and listen to this video at 8.4.
And listen really loud.

Thanks for the link. I'll give it a play tomorrow.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Don't throw away the box! You'll need that for the mic's unique id code when you go to their website and download its "profile", which you'll then need when you first use Dirac (and REW, I assume; never used it ). That tells Dirac exactly how that specific mic measured during factory testing prior to shipping to you. That way Dirac will give you the best results.

Incidentally, you can assign up to three different Dirac configurations to three different inputs in your 8.4 (one for surround, one for stereo music, one for multichannel console games), and that's easy to do using the 8.4s Advanced Web Setup.

It will be on the mic... it's the serial number.

Yep... download the calibration file, and save it to your computer. Have it plugged into your laptop before you start REW, and it will ask you if you have a cal file for the UMIK-1, and you'll browse to where you saved the cal file you downloaded.

Almost the same for Dirac... when you start Dirac, you'll choose the UMIK-1 as your mic. Click the area at the bottom of the mic box and a menu will popup so that you can load from file (where you saved it).

 

[Guilherme66]

Performing new calibration on the DL.

 

[VJM]

Very nice set up! Much cleaner than mine.

I see you removed the silver features sticker from the front of the 8.4s faceplate, and that made me laugh because mine is still on, even though I would love to take it off. I've left it on out of an admittedly warped sense of ownership: because I developed it, and I will probably never get a shot at working with that brand again, I want to keep it frozen in time, as close to still being "new in the box" as possible, if that makes any sense.

Normally I'm in the camp of removing the stickers, but I love your explanation for leaving it on and would do exactly the same. Welcome to AV NIRVANA, glad to have you here

 

[Guilherme66]

I can't understand why the DL calibration loses dynamics, body and becomes VERY low?

The AccuEq has more dynamics, body but the highs are brilliant.

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Mr.Satyre]

I can't understand why the DL calibration loses dynamics, body and becomes VERY low?

The AccuEq has more dynamics, body but the highs are brilliant.

Am I doing something wrong?

It's possible the levels in Dirac for each channel need adjusting prior to running. Hard to say without being there to see everything that's going on.

 

[Guilherme66]

It's possible the levels in Dirac for each channel need adjusting prior to running. Hard to say without being there to see everything that's going on.

I did the standard calibration. I left Slot 1 as it was and increased the bass in the others.

Now all I can hope for is the UMIK1

 

[Guilherme66]

I moved the central box onto the rack and tightened the banana plugs.

Let's test it again!

 

[Guilherme66]

I reset the receiver and started from scratch. I performed both calibrations with the 8.4 microphone. In my environment, the AccuEq always sounds better with more dynamics, body and volume. The voices remain mellow in both calibrations. I think it will be difficult for the UMIK 1 to solve this voice situation. Unfortunately, I will give up on the DRX 8.4.

 

[Mr.Satyre]

I did the standard calibration. I left Slot 1 as it was and increased the bass in the others.

Now all I can hope for is the UMIK1

Doing Dirac with the included mic is

I moved the central box onto the rack and tightened the banana plugs.

Let's test it again!

Move the speaker right up to the edge so that the sound isn't reflected.

 

[achugh]

@Guilherme66 Since you are getting the sound you like using AccuEQ, I believe the problem is not speaker placement.

I believe Dirac tries to flatten the frequency response whereas AcceEQ has limitations on how flat it make the response due to its limited Graphic EQ sliders. Essentially, if you measure your center channel, you will notice the AccuEQ has higher SPL and boost for certain frequencies where as Dirac will try to keep them flat making the sound difference. Getting another AVR say A10H and using Dirac on that AVR should technically give you the same result (or no improvements if using Dirac).

I recommend that you RIGHT CLICK on your graph and use the "Load Target Curve" as the option to load the curve that you like for greater controls. You are currently using what is called Shelve Filters with two handles to decide the slope of your curve. This is limiting your options with Dirac.

The AVSForum thread https://www.avsforum.com/threads/dirac-live.3137722/ has very big with over 1300 pages and has lots of information spread all over the place. Some of the direct posts of mine that might help are

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

https://www.avsforum.com/posts/63722396/ - This post the Target Curve that might improve your clarity for Center Channel. As a starting point apply the same curve to all channels when Dirac asks you for it.

 

[Guilherme66]

@Guilherme66 Since you are getting the sound you like using AccuEQ, I believe the problem is not speaker placement.

I believe Dirac tries to flatten the frequency response whereas AcceEQ has limitations on how flat it make the response due to its limited Graphic EQ sliders. Essentially, if you measure your center channel, you will notice the AccuEQ has higher SPL and boost for certain frequencies where as Dirac will try to keep them flat making the sound difference. Getting another AVR say A10H and using Dirac on that AVR should technically give you the same result (or no improvements if using Dirac).

I recommend that you RIGHT CLICK on your graph and use the "Load Target Curve" as the option to load the curve that you like for greater controls. You are currently using what is called Shelve Filters with two handles to decide the slope of your curve. This is limiting your options with Dirac.

The AVSForum thread https://www.avsforum.com/threads/dirac-live.3137722/ has very big with over 1300 pages and has lots of information spread all over the place. Some of the direct posts of mine that might help are

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

Dirac Live

www.avsforum.com

https://www.avsforum.com/posts/63722396/ - This post the Target Curve that might improve your clarity for Center Channel. As a starting point apply the same curve to all channels when Dirac asks you for it.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Yes, I'm sure the results won't be any different using the DL on the Denon. But I've come to the conclusion that it's not about equalization. The Integra 8.4 simply doesn't have synergy with my Dynaudio Contour 20 and Evoke 25. I've done dozens of calibrations via DL and AccuEq and there's a metallic sound to the voices. I can't get rid of this feeling with the graphics.
Before buying the Integra, I tested the Onkyo RZ50 and felt the same thing. I think it's the group's signature. The Integra is excellent, a beast with a lot of power and control, but unfortunately it didn't work on my system.
I've already ordered the Denon A10H and should receive it next week. I hope it works. Big hug!