yes indeed i was looking at the Yamaha V1900/2067/3067, specially the 3067 as i was very keen on a 11.2 setup after hearing one at my friend's place.
But the lack of Dolby Volume, Dynamic EQ/Volume and THX Loudness Plus is holding me back and forcing me to look at the Onkyo 3008/5008.
I have to hear at low volumes many times and Dolby Volume is a must for me. That's the only thing the V3067 lacks. I'm not too sure how good the Adaptive DRC is with low volume listening. "Dialogue Intelligibility" is of paramount Importance to me especially at low volumes.
My research tells me that among Aud Dynamic Volume/EQ, THX Loudness Plus, Yamaha Adaptive DRC and Dolby Volume the latter is the best of Low Volume listening. I wonder why isn't Dolby putting this in more AVRs
Yamaha might never have Aud Dynamic/EQ or THX loudness Plus because they have their own concept of Adaptive DRC but i hope they can at least get the Dolby Volume in their next 71 series. That'll be the best scenario for me.
To get an idea of the Onkyo Sound Signature i did a demo of a Onkyo 808 with Elac speakers. I found the Onkyo to have a vast soundstage and a lot of detail. The effects were pin-point and i always carry my demo dvd. I felt i could hear things which i didn't hear at my home setup with my Yamaha AVR. ( which is understandable as my Yamaha is 6yrs old mid end model RX V450 )
Also it created an amazing atmosphere which i guess my Yamaha cannot. In simpler words i felt i was in the movie scenes which i've never felt with my Yamaha. ( again i'm sure that's due to my older Yamaha just being too old and the newer 3067 should match the Onkyo 3008 )
But i also felt that the Onkyo sound signature was a bit clinical/harsh to the ears. I felt it was piercing my ears. I've been to used to the warm signature of the Yamaha for so many years that Onkyo simply was a bit too bright for me.
But after years being used to the nice warm, lush and easy on the ears Yamaha sound it'll be impossible for me to adjust to a harsher sound.
Hence it's very important for me to know if the Adaptive DRC keeps the Dialogue Intelligibility excellent in low volumes.
Dialogue was exceptionally clear which i find i struggle to understand with my Yamaha. ( Now this is a very important factor for me because there are many times i have to listen to at low volumes )
But the reasons i want to move from Yamaha to Onkyo are Dolby Volume, Dynamic EQ/Volume, THX Loudness Plus as all of these technologies aid in Better Dialogue Intelligibility at lower volumes which is paramount to me.
I'm looking at the Onkyo 3008/5008. But the only thing stopping me right now is the Bright sound of the Onkyo.
But i've read that the higher range Onkyo's like the 3008/5008 are considerably Warmer in nature than the typical Onkyo House sound which tends to be Bright. I've also read across many reviews that the Onkyo series from 07/08 onward are actually less attacking than before.
I'm used to the Rich and Warm Yamaha sound for more than a decade now and so it'll be too much of a change for me to go for Bright AVRs.
That being said... An AVR dealer is arranging a Demo of the 3008 for me and i'm gonna carry over my PSB Image speakers to see/hear how they sound with the Onkyo. If i like the combo then i'll buy the Onkyo but if i don't then i'll have to settle with the Yamaha V3067 as that's the safe choice for me since i currently use my speakers with a Yamaha and love the match. I've also heard the 3067 at a member's house and it's just fantastic.
I really want to stay with Yamaha as i love it's lovely smooth sound but i'll have no choice but to move to a Onkyo if the Low volume needs are not satisfied by the Yammy.
Clarity of Dialogue is of paramount importance to me.
that's the story till now. i want to get done with this soon.
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