Anthem ARC and Subwoofers - A quick review

Hi @m-db

While I think ARC does a decent job in the bass area, the Anthem MRX does not properly allow for decoding of Dolby Surround encoded signals when they come from a Dolby Digital 2.0 source. 100% of Netflix seems to be Dolby Digital, but many are 2.0, and the Anthem refuses to use the center or surrounds in these cases.

The ARC does not require the subwoofer to be positioned in any particular location, but if you are wondering arout room modes I strongly encourage you to check the AM Acoustics room mode simulator.

ARC digitizes everything.

Having said all that, I’m about to switch to Marantz. I’m not sure how good their room correction is, but the Audyssey system apparently allows me full control over parametric EQ settings which is kind of my jam.

Best,

Erik

@m-db - I should add that I have a number of GIK acoustics bass traps as well which really help control the worst of the room issues, so that gives me a little help in using sub-optimal locations.  At the end my sub is against the left wall about 1/3rd of the way forward from the speaker wall.

@m-db I'm using a large Hsu 15" but forgot the model number.  I used the AM Acoustics room mode simulator.  There were only 2 or 3 locations I could put it in and the simulator let me pick the lesser evil.

I'm using miniDSP however for the subwoofer EQ and have disabled Anthem's ARC.

I should update this. While I could get the Anthem ARC to work, what I can’t get it to do is use Dolby Surround correctly, and I cannot set my own parametric EQ settings. It also seems to have trouble synching with my LG television, requiring several power cycles to get Atmos working correctly via streaming.  Also, it seems to get too hot and the Roku signal starts flickering. 

My recommendation has therefore shifted to the Marantz units with advanced Audyssey capabilities.

hi @bjp9738  - So I feed L and R to my Luxman 507.  I just played Battlefield Los Angeles and it was pretty awesome. 5.1, all speakers high passed at 80 Hz.

I will say that even before calibration the MRX 540 sounded significantly more open and transparent than the AVM 50 it replaces.  Absolutely no complaints.

I still feel like it’s doing something that limits the overall dynamic range when ARC is engaged.

Hmmm, that’s not the impression I have so far, but I do feel the initial curves were too bright. I’ll keep an ear out.  With a receiver I'm locked in though, there's no way for me to insert miniDSP except if I use it as a pure pre. 

PS @bjp9738  One of my goals in this upgrade was also to get rid of excess gear.  So yes, I've given up some control but I also gave up a miniDSP, 3 external monoblocks and about 13-15 cables associated with all of it.  🤣

To simplify I had to let go, and while I do feel the loss of control, I'm also reaping the benefits of consolidation here.

I ended up adding a MiniDSP 2x4HD and using REW to create my sub correction curves.  I set distances, crossovers and levels manually in the Anthem and removed any ARC settings.

Hi @bjp9738 

I never tried Anthem ARC before but I think you didn't yet have access to Genesis. 

I will say that miniDSP and ARC Genesis is a completely different ballgame.  What I love about miniDSP is the ability to personally select every single filter, not to mention that the delay measurements were far more precise than with my AVM 50.

With the MRX and Genesis I have achieved a happy balance between not doing it all myself and getting it to do what I want via the tilt and bass boost settings. It's more of a happy partnership approach, where I let it do what it's good at and then color the final sound to taste.  I lack however the ability to go in and tweak any given part of the ARC curve but the final results for me have worked out really really well.