Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Yamaha Aventage RX-A3040 AV Receiver Reviewed
Yamaha has enjoyed quite a bit of success with the introduction of
its premium Aventage line of AV receivers and separates. While the
Aventage line has been available for a while, it remains quite
competitive in its performance, features, and connectivity; a recent
firmware update added Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround modes. I'll point
you to this refresher on all things Dolby Atmos if you need it.
its premium Aventage line of AV receivers and separates. While the
Aventage line has been available for a while, it remains quite
competitive in its performance, features, and connectivity; a recent
firmware update added Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround modes. I'll point
you to this refresher on all things Dolby Atmos if you need it.
Sitting at the top of the Aventage receiver
lineup is the RX-A3040, priced at $2,199. It is billed as a 9.2-channel
receiver, as it provides both control and amplification for nine
channels and up to two subwoofers in a variety of configurations.
However, it is capable of providing control for two additional channels,
as long as you have an external amplifier to power them. The receiver
includes two of ESS Technology's high-performance DACs: the 32-bit
ESS9016 processes the seven main channels, while the 24-bit ESS9006
processes the front and rear presence (or overhead) speakers and two subwoofer channels.
lineup is the RX-A3040, priced at $2,199. It is billed as a 9.2-channel
receiver, as it provides both control and amplification for nine
channels and up to two subwoofers in a variety of configurations.
However, it is capable of providing control for two additional channels,
as long as you have an external amplifier to power them. The receiver
includes two of ESS Technology's high-performance DACs: the 32-bit
ESS9016 processes the seven main channels, while the 24-bit ESS9006
processes the front and rear presence (or overhead) speakers and two subwoofer channels.
Features abound with the RX-A3040. This networkable receiver has
built-in apps for Internet radio and streaming services such as
Rhapsody, Spotify, SiriusXM, Pandora, and others. Built-in WiFi capability allows for a wireless connection to your router, and you can connect to Apple devices via AirPlay or an HTC phone via the HTC
Connect app. The Yamaha can decode most music formats, including WAV and
FLAC (both up to 24-bit/192-kHz), Apple's ALAC, and others. USB and MHL
ports allow for the connection of a wide gamut of devices. Advanced HDMI
zone switching allows you to output any source to a second zone through
HDMI (analog audio is also available in a third zone). The RX-A3040 can
pass through and upscale to 4K/60 Ultra HD;
however, it's not HDCP 2.2-compliant, and Yamaha does not plan to offer
an upgrade path, so you will need a workaround if you plan to embrace
Ultra HD Blu-ray
in the near future. There is even a phono input (MM cartridges) for
connecting a turntable, so there's no need to give up your vinyl.
built-in apps for Internet radio and streaming services such as
Rhapsody, Spotify, SiriusXM, Pandora, and others. Built-in WiFi capability allows for a wireless connection to your router, and you can connect to Apple devices via AirPlay or an HTC phone via the HTC
Connect app. The Yamaha can decode most music formats, including WAV and
FLAC (both up to 24-bit/192-kHz), Apple's ALAC, and others. USB and MHL
ports allow for the connection of a wide gamut of devices. Advanced HDMI
zone switching allows you to output any source to a second zone through
HDMI (analog audio is also available in a third zone). The RX-A3040 can
pass through and upscale to 4K/60 Ultra HD;
however, it's not HDCP 2.2-compliant, and Yamaha does not plan to offer
an upgrade path, so you will need a workaround if you plan to embrace
Ultra HD Blu-ray
in the near future. There is even a phono input (MM cartridges) for
connecting a turntable, so there's no need to give up your vinyl.
The Hookup
The RX-A3040 chassis weighs just shy
of a hefty 40 pounds and carries a slew of connectivity features,
including eight HDMI inputs and two outputs--plenty for all your
sources. (Visit Yamaha's website for a full rundown of connection options.) I used the first two HDMI inputs for my AT&T U-Verse box for TV and my Oppo BDP-105 for all spinning-disc sources. With the Yamaha set to handle all video processing and switching, I sent HDMI output to my BenQ W7000 projector, displaying to my Elite Screens Spectrum 128-inch screen. I ran speaker wire
to my usual 5.1 speaker configuration with the pair of Salk Soundscape
12 speakers serving as front left and right channels, a Salk Soundscape
7C as center, and the B&W CM6 S2 in the surround role. I connected
my SVS PC-13 Ultra subwoofer to one of the two subwoofer outs on the Yamaha.
The RX-A3040 chassis weighs just shy
of a hefty 40 pounds and carries a slew of connectivity features,
including eight HDMI inputs and two outputs--plenty for all your
sources. (Visit Yamaha's website for a full rundown of connection options.) I used the first two HDMI inputs for my AT&T U-Verse box for TV and my Oppo BDP-105 for all spinning-disc sources. With the Yamaha set to handle all video processing and switching, I sent HDMI output to my BenQ W7000 projector, displaying to my Elite Screens Spectrum 128-inch screen. I ran speaker wire
to my usual 5.1 speaker configuration with the pair of Salk Soundscape
12 speakers serving as front left and right channels, a Salk Soundscape
7C as center, and the B&W CM6 S2 in the surround role. I connected
my SVS PC-13 Ultra subwoofer to one of the two subwoofer outs on the Yamaha.
For the Atmos channels, Atlantic Technology was kind enough to
provide two pairs of the 44-DA Atmos-enabled speaker modules (review
coming soon) to complete a 5.1.4 Atmos configuration. Since Atmos
capability was not enabled out of the box, I downloaded the new firmware
to get it. Next, I set up my speakers using Yamaha's proprietary YPAO.
The version of YPAO included with the RX-A3040 uniquely includes 3D
and Angle measurement, which is not an advancement to be taken lightly.
Our Yamaha rep describes these options like this: "The Angle measurement
is used to correct for speaker placement that deviates from the
commonly used ITU-r placement. Furniture, windows and room layout can
prevent many people from placing speakers in the proper location. By
knowing where all speakers are placed in relation to the prime listening
spot, the DSP processing can image the signal to more closely match ITU
suggestions. Meanwhile, the Height Angle
measurement is used, among other things, to give the Atmos decoder more
accurate data on how to map the individual sound objects within the
listening room. If the receiver knows that the front right overhead
speaker is 45 degrees to the front instead of 60 degrees, the decoder
can more accurately place the sound of a mosquito, for instance, in the
three-dimensional confines of the room."
provide two pairs of the 44-DA Atmos-enabled speaker modules (review
coming soon) to complete a 5.1.4 Atmos configuration. Since Atmos
capability was not enabled out of the box, I downloaded the new firmware
to get it. Next, I set up my speakers using Yamaha's proprietary YPAO.
The version of YPAO included with the RX-A3040 uniquely includes 3D
and Angle measurement, which is not an advancement to be taken lightly.
Our Yamaha rep describes these options like this: "The Angle measurement
is used to correct for speaker placement that deviates from the
commonly used ITU-r placement. Furniture, windows and room layout can
prevent many people from placing speakers in the proper location. By
knowing where all speakers are placed in relation to the prime listening
spot, the DSP processing can image the signal to more closely match ITU
suggestions. Meanwhile, the Height Angle
measurement is used, among other things, to give the Atmos decoder more
accurate data on how to map the individual sound objects within the
listening room. If the receiver knows that the front right overhead
speaker is 45 degrees to the front instead of 60 degrees, the decoder
can more accurately place the sound of a mosquito, for instance, in the
three-dimensional confines of the room."
For an Atmos setup, I needed to make a few tweaks before running
YPAO. First, I enabled 3D and Angle and multipoint (this makes for a
longer setup time, but allows YPAO to take measurements at multiple
points and create a smoother sound-field across multiple seating
positions, such as an entire couch). Then I set the front height and
rear presence speakers to the setting for Atmos-enabled speakers.
Running through YPAO took about 20 minutes or so, and YPAO got most
things correct. It correctly detected the presence of all speakers, and
its distances and levels were accurate. My surround and rear presence
speakers were both set to large, however, and crossover points were set a
little too low given the speaker sets. I can't really fault YPAO for
this, as I happened to place my surrounds in the back corners of the
room with the rear Atmos modules on top, and corners are known to
reinforce bass. I made a couple of manual adjustments for this, and I
was on on my way...although I must note that YPAO did not allow me to
set the exact crossover point of 150 Hz that Atlantic Tech recommends
for the Atmos modules, but forced me to choose between 120 Hz and 160
Hz. I chose 160 Hz to be closer to the recommended setting.
YPAO. First, I enabled 3D and Angle and multipoint (this makes for a
longer setup time, but allows YPAO to take measurements at multiple
points and create a smoother sound-field across multiple seating
positions, such as an entire couch). Then I set the front height and
rear presence speakers to the setting for Atmos-enabled speakers.
Running through YPAO took about 20 minutes or so, and YPAO got most
things correct. It correctly detected the presence of all speakers, and
its distances and levels were accurate. My surround and rear presence
speakers were both set to large, however, and crossover points were set a
little too low given the speaker sets. I can't really fault YPAO for
this, as I happened to place my surrounds in the back corners of the
room with the rear Atmos modules on top, and corners are known to
reinforce bass. I made a couple of manual adjustments for this, and I
was on on my way...although I must note that YPAO did not allow me to
set the exact crossover point of 150 Hz that Atlantic Tech recommends
for the Atmos modules, but forced me to choose between 120 Hz and 160
Hz. I chose 160 Hz to be closer to the recommended setting.
Performance
I started off with some two-channel
music: Wynton Marsalis' album Marsalis Standard Time Vol. 1 (SACD,
Columbia). Initial testing showed that my power-hungry Salk L/R speakers
were a little too much for the Yamaha to handle. The RX-A3040 boasts a
power rating of 150 watts per channel with two channels driven, which is
the minimum power amplification recommended for my speakers. So, while
the Yamaha stretched admirably to drive the Salks, it couldn't stretch
quite far enough get the best performance out of them. Swapping out my
Salks for my B&W CM6 S2 bookshelf speakers
made for a rich, beautiful sound. Bass lines were tight and
well-defined, piano notes were rich and had the heft I expected, and
Marsalis' trumpet sang with all its squeaky nuances in place.
I started off with some two-channel
music: Wynton Marsalis' album Marsalis Standard Time Vol. 1 (SACD,
Columbia). Initial testing showed that my power-hungry Salk L/R speakers
were a little too much for the Yamaha to handle. The RX-A3040 boasts a
power rating of 150 watts per channel with two channels driven, which is
the minimum power amplification recommended for my speakers. So, while
the Yamaha stretched admirably to drive the Salks, it couldn't stretch
quite far enough get the best performance out of them. Swapping out my
Salks for my B&W CM6 S2 bookshelf speakers
made for a rich, beautiful sound. Bass lines were tight and
well-defined, piano notes were rich and had the heft I expected, and
Marsalis' trumpet sang with all its squeaky nuances in place.
Price Only $1999.99
Thursday, March 19, 2015
OM/ONE: The world's first levitating bluetooth speaker
Great Sound. Beautiful Design.
In a world filled with speakers
that look and sound the same, OM/ONE is a paradigm shift. Designed by a
team of world class industrial designers and audio engineers, OM/ONE is
as functional as it is beautiful. Features:
Levitating Driver
for world class sound - Hear every high and low with no external
distortion with the OM/ONE levitating driver. OM/ONE was engineered and
tuned by the former Director of Engineering for Velodyne Acoustics.
Pair two OM/ONEs together for true stereo sound.
Bluetooth 4.0 -
Connect your phone or other bluetooth device and play music from popular
music apps like Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, and Beats Music. Change tracks
and control volume from up to 33 ft. away.
Type 1 Microphone -
Your phone calls will never be the same. Enjoy pristine OM/ONE audio
and get inspired by the world’s first levitating speaker phone.
Portable - Pick up the OM/ONE speaker orb and take it anywhere! Enjoy music all day with industry leading battery life
In a world filled with speakers
that look and sound the same, OM/ONE is a paradigm shift. Designed by a
team of world class industrial designers and audio engineers, OM/ONE is
as functional as it is beautiful. Features:
Levitating Driver
for world class sound - Hear every high and low with no external
distortion with the OM/ONE levitating driver. OM/ONE was engineered and
tuned by the former Director of Engineering for Velodyne Acoustics.
Pair two OM/ONEs together for true stereo sound.
Bluetooth 4.0 -
Connect your phone or other bluetooth device and play music from popular
music apps like Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, and Beats Music. Change tracks
and control volume from up to 33 ft. away.
Type 1 Microphone -
Your phone calls will never be the same. Enjoy pristine OM/ONE audio
and get inspired by the world’s first levitating speaker phone.
Portable - Pick up the OM/ONE speaker orb and take it anywhere! Enjoy music all day with industry leading battery life
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