What is Dynamic EQ Reference Level Offset?

[Hems]

I've just discovered an option on the menu of my Denon called Dynamic EQ Reference Level Offset.

Can anyone explain what it is and what circumstances you should use this? It provides me 3 options, 5dB, 10dB and 15dB. What setting should I use when watching a blu ray, when watching a Dolby Digital source on Sky HD, listening to music.....?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Andrew Everard]

In other words, the operation of the system is based on an assumption of the sound having been mixed to be listened to at a reference listening level, which will influence the original mixer's choice of equalisation settings due to perceived audibility of different frequencies.

Given that not all material is mixed to this reference level, different settings are allowed to improve audibility and intelligibility when the Dynamic EQ is operational, and to avoid it over-compensating at lower levels.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I don't think I've come across a "Dynamic" something or other that actually works properly yet, or one that actually seems to do "what it says on the tim". Personally, I'd turn off anything that mentions the word 'automatic'.

Maybe it's just me.

 

[Tom Moreno]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
I don't think I've come across a "Dynamic" something or other that actually works properly yet, or one that actually seems to do "what it says on the tim". Personally, I'd turn off anything that mentions the word 'automatic'.

Maybe it's just me.

I would disagree. Traditionally yes, and from the standpoint of audio purism, yes you do not want to use any extra audio processing modes. However most of us don't have dedicated theatre rooms. A lot of us have wives that don't always agree with the whole house rumbling during an intense action scene. The Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Volume systems as implemented on Denon's AVRs are the best solution to the problem of controlling dynamics while preserving the cinematic experience that I have yet come across. "Night Mode"s are usually too heavy handed in dealing with the problem and cannot be used at whilst decoding BD lossless tracks. Dynamic EQ does do a decent job of preserving the tonal qualities of your speakers while turning the volume down and Dynamic Volume works especially well when you use it in Day mode. In this lowest setting the overall integrity of the sound track is well preserved with a minimal amount of compression used on the widest dynamic shifts. In other words I can watch, and enjoy, a very dynamic movie without having to jockey the volume on the remote and without eliciting complaints from the wife or waking the baby

 

[Frank Harvey]

Tom Moreno:In this lowest setting the overall integrity of the sound track is well preserved with a minimal amount of compression used on the widest dynamic shifts. In other words I can watch, and enjoy, a very dynamic movie without having to jockey the volume on the remote and without eliciting complaints from the wife or waking the baby

This I see as 'tinkering' with what the Director has originally intended as far as the audio track is concerned. Taking out the full dynamics can change the tone of a film. If you've ever watched the likes of Halloween or Terminator 2 on TV, you'll know what I mean. On TV they have all the impact of the Tweenies.

 

[Hems]

I don't mind having Dynamic EQ on when watching TV but it does make the bass boomy when watching a DTS/DT HD or DD source even when my sub level is set at -9dB. I just wondered, can this damage the sub in any way?

 

[Frank Harvey]

There won't be any problem. As long as your sub isn't making some odd noises, it'll be fine.

 

[Tom Moreno]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
Tom Moreno:In this lowest setting the overall integrity of the sound track is well preserved with a minimal amount of compression used on the widest dynamic shifts. In other words I can watch, and enjoy, a very dynamic movie without having to jockey the volume on the remote and without eliciting complaints from the wife or waking the baby

This I see as 'tinkering' with what the Director has originally intended as far as the audio track is concerned. Taking out the full dynamics can change the tone of a film. If you've ever watched the likes of Halloween or Terminator 2 on TV, you'll know what I mean. On TV they have all the impact of the Tweenies.

In a perfect world I would agree with you 100%. If I were a bachelor I would use only the surround decoding and listen at a much higher level. However circumstances change and, while is still do watch movies without processing, limiting myself to only being able to watch a film under perfect conditions would mean that I might only be able to do so on a Saturday afternoon once every other week or so. With the use of these technologies you still get a very reasonable presentation that has depth and impact and I can watch a film under these conditions up to midnight any day of the week. I love watching films and, on average, will regularly watch 6 films a week so cutting myself down to the only times I can do so without upsetting everyone in the house would be an extreme hinderance and would probably be less enjoyable than having a slight amount of compression on the soundtrack. All I am saying is that for those of us that need some sort of compromise, the Audyssey system (as implemented by Denon) is by far the least invasive sounding that gives you the most effective results out there.