Remote
Control
The RC-1030 supplied with the receiver is a learning universal remote
capable of operating eight devices. Preset codes are included in the owner's
manual.
The remote is a nice size, fairly ergonomic and intuitively arranged.
Setup
Once you've placed your speakers and have hooked up all your components,
you may begin your setup, either through the remote or from the flip-down
panel. Denon was kind enough to send along the DVD-2910 for me to play with
the HDMI compatibility, and simply because I asked for one. Further, I used
a DVI equipped projector with an HDMI to DVI cable from the 2807. So keep in
mind all descriptions for setup are based on this configuration. I do wish I
had asked for an iPod docking station just to try it out.
Denon does include the DM-S205 multi-directional microphone for the
auto-setup - not as weighty as the one I have for my 3805, the DM-S305
microphone.
The system setup menu for the 2807 is basically six chapters; the first is
the auto setup and room EQ menu. The auto setup takes you through speaker
setup for both A and B speaker configurations. Before you run the auto
setup,
however, decide if you want to assign surround backs or actually boost the
fronts with those idle amps, or assign them to zone 2.
Attaching your microphone and a series of test tones will determine
polarity, speaker size distance, channel level, and crossover frequency. Once
displayed, you have the option of accepting the results for the unit to move
on and complete its calculations to be stored.
Once the Room EQ curves are stored, you may select three correction modes:
the impressive Audyssey, Flat, and Fronts. Audyssey compensates for room
acoustics with multiple location readings. Flat, recommended for
multi-channel audio, sets all channels equally, and the Front EQ curve sets
all surrounds to adjust to the front mains.
A parameter check will allow you to view the analyzed speaker configuration,
distance, channel, crossover, and EQ. The EQ is shown from a low 63 Hz to a
high 16 kHz for all channels for each of the three curve settings.
For those who prefer to do things their own way, a speaker setup menu allows
you to manually do basically all those things the auto setup just completed:
speaker size, distance, channel level, and crossover frequency.
Typically, you choose one crossover setting, but an advanced menu will allow
setting individually for each front center and surround speaker from a low
40 Hz to a high 250 Hz.
For stereo playback, Direct and Pure Direct passes through from your source,
such as CD or DVD, without audio processing. You may also set speaker size and
subwoofer playback specifically for two-channel audio.
A Dolby Digital Downmix option allows you to turn the audio compression on
and off. If for example you sense distortion during playback, turning the
option to On will compress the dynamic range. Typically you would not
activate this feature.
You may also copy the Auto EQ settings and play with them in the Manual EQ
setup. So if you decide to forgo the Audyssey, Flat or Front Frequency curve
settings, you may borrow them and use the manual setting. If you make no
adjustments, then the manual setting is left flat.
The Audio Input setup menu will take you through digital assignment,
including HDMI for all nine sources. You can have up to 15
dB subwoofer boost for EXT. IN playback such as SACD. The new menu here is the iPod function
and which input source you assign such as Aux.
An input function level adjustment menu allows trim level to be set for all
sources from -12 dB to +12 dB. A very cool feature is to rename all
functions: i.e., instead of Aux. for iPod, simply rename it iPod, or in my
case I renamed my DVD to "DVD-2910". And finally in the audio setup is the
tuner presets menu which can find, skip, and store FM stations automatically,
as you wish.
Video setup is relatively self-explanatory; HDMI and Component In are
assigned. Keep in mind if in the audio setup you chose HDMI for your DVD, it
will show up already assigned in the video menu. Configuring the HDMI Out
setting will take some experimenting; it allows you to convert analog video
signals into HDMI signals. If you select Yes, then another set of menus will
pop up. An i/p conversion option which takes 480i/576i from an S-Video
source and converts it to 480p/576p through your HDMI monitor. Secondly, you
may also select a Color Space output from either YCbCr format or RGB.
This mostly has to do with the type of display you're using and how you want
it to perform.
An Audio Delay can be set from 0 ms – 200 ms, obviously depending on your
room size and speaker distance.
As much as I like the Denon display, you can actually alter how it looks. You
can turn off Function or Master Volume status. Why you'd do that, I'm not sure.
The Option menu allows you to assign the unused surround back channels
to the fronts A or B, a second zone, or to Back Surround speakers if you
have a 7.1 setup. A volume control will allow you to set maximum playback
levels and mute options. A Trigger Out menu and a Setup Lock are the final
choices you make before you enjoy the 2807.
Surround modes are plentiful, naturally. Besides the obvious Dolby Digital
and Pro Logic II and IIx, the DTS Surround and DTS Neo:6, there are the
usual DSP modes: Stadium, Rock Arena, Jazz Club, and Classical Concert.
I've
mentioned stereo in both Direct and Pure Direct, also included are Ext. In
and Multi-Channel In. You also get Mono for those old movies, Video
Game, Matrix, and Virtual.
And All This Means?
I've said a mouthful and I did leave off some other issues and features that
would take simply forever to describe. But how it performs and how it sounds are most important, of course.
This little receiver rocked! My room
is on the smallish side, but the 2807 delivered a punch in spades. The audio
playback is worth the purchase itself, but the HDMI (as I've mentioned over
and over) is what puts this unit over the top. The audio passing from the
Denon DVD-2910 (a very nice player I might add) through the HDMI connection
to the AVR-2807 was uncompromised.
The images on my projector never looked better, passed through the 2807, as
they
were outstanding – crisp and smooth.
Some Minor Shortcomings to Consider
Receivers in this range are now beginning to have THX certification, just
look at Brian Florian's
review
of the Onkyo TX-SR803 back in June. Personally experiencing and
appreciating Denon's proprietary Link 3 which can now pass SACD signals
would have been a nice addition to the 2807. I'm sure Denon would argue the
sophisticated Auto Setup and Room EQ, including Audyssey, more than make up
the difference, however, and I'm not sure I could argue the point.
Conclusions
Trickle-down from the likes of the 5805 benefits us by offering what has
been developed for these flagship units in modestly priced receivers that
most of us can afford. The AVR-2807 is such a receiver, and if I'm taking
wild guesses there is no reason why it couldn't supplant the AVR-3805 as
Denon's all-time most popular A/V receiver.
- Piero Gabucci -
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