Dynamic EQ Questions

Hi Darryl,

1. If the offset is 0 then Dynamic EQ doesn't do anything at 0 dB master volume.

2. If the offset is 10 dB then Dynamic EQ is told to do less compensation at all volume levels.  I'm afraid I can't discuss all the details because they are proprietary.  

Fair enough, thanks Chris!

Hi Chris,

Clarification on Dynamic EQ.  

I never reach 0dB when watching (i.e. movies or concerts).  Max is at -17dB, but -20 most of the time.  Does this mean DynEq won't have any effect since I don't reach Reference level?  Or, should I set 'Reference Offset' to -15dB?  On the other hand, my volume levels don't even reach -15dB, since my range is only between -17dB to -20dB.

Hi Joel,

It's the other way around! Dynamic EQ does less and less as you turn the volume up.  At 0 dB master volume it does nothing.  That's because this is the level that the movie was mixed and so you are listening at reference where the decisions of low and high frequency balance were made in the studio.

As you turn the volume down, our perception of bass levels drops off faster than the high frequencies.  So, Dynamic EQ kicks in and adjusts the balance so you can perceive it as you would at reference level.

For movies, the Reference Level Offset should be 0 because we know exactly what level was used in the mix.  For music and TV content, however, we don't because there are no strict standards.  For this type of content we recommend turning the Ref. Level Offset to –10 dB so that Dynamic EQ doesn't overcompensate.

More here: https://audyssey.zendesk.com/forums/84181/entries/73283.html

Thanks for the clarification, Chris.  

Follow-up question might sound obvious, but would you know if TV series (ie. 24, Game of Thrones, Revenge, etc.) fall into the classification of movies too?

Some is and some isn't... I would try Ref. Level Offset –10 dB for most TV content.

Hi, if I may leap onto this thread in Jan 2013... I feel that Joel asked my question for me, but that it wasn't answered fully. I have just purchased the Marantz AV7005, and I find I cannot listen beyond -20dB on the Master Volume, or else the bass frequencies flood out from my detached property into the neighbour's gardens! So, what do the Dynamic EQ offsets mean* with respect to Master Volume Levels? i.e. if I can go nowhere near 0dB, am I at the equivalent of a **20db Dynamic EQ offset?* In which case, I don't see how the 5dB and 10dB offsets can matter to me unless I can turn the Master Volume up beyond -5dB (and the neighbours will come after me with pitchforks.)

The offsets are there to tell Dynamic EQ to do more or less.  They represent the mix level that was used in the studio and are not related to master volume. 

The purpose of Dynamic EQ is to start adjusting the response as you turn the volume down from 0 dB.  Nobody can listen that loud and so adjustments are needed to preserve the mix balance at lower listening volumes.  For film content we know exactly how much to adjust by and that's the default setting of Dynamic EQ (0 dB reference level offset).  For music and TV content the mix levels may be different and so Dynamic EQ may be doing "too much" as you turn the volume down.  So you would choose the 10 dB offset (for example).  Then when you turn your volume down to reasonable listening levels (say –20 dB), Dynamic EQ would be adjusting by the appropriate amount so as to not boost the bass too much.

I've learnt a bit more about this is the last couple of days. I think it's obvious that someone with a 50W power amp won't be getting the same loudness at the top of their dial on their Pre-Pro as those with a 500W amp! My 100W Rotel Class-D amp gives me a 75dB listening-seat level at* -20* on my Marantz, according to my meter. I therefore believe this to be Film Reference Level.

SO... if I decide to listen at **-30 **instead, should I compensate by applying a 10dB Dynamic EQ offset whatever? Even if I'm listening to Dolby TrueHD? This is where I get confused about the need to apply the 10db offset only to TV watching.

Hope you're not getting fed up of this laboured point! (not labor... I'm British.)

Hi John,

Reference level offset if not to be adjusted based on the listening volume.  Dynamic EQ takes care of that automatically.  Ref. level offset should only be adjusted based on the type of content.  For movies it should not be changed (set to 0).  For music or TV content we recommend -10.  It's a setting that should not be changed as you change the listening volume and is only there to better align Dynamic EQ to the difference mix level references used in non-film content.

I think that's a conclusive answer for me. It does surprise me that an EQ curve doesn't need altering with listening volume... but fair enough! Thanks for the time.

But it does change with volume!  That's what Dynamic EQ does.  It's constantly changing the EQ curve based on the volume control setting, but also based on the real time variation of the content between soft and loud passages.  The Ref Level Offset is simply there to tell Dynamic EQ where it "sits" relative to the intended mix level of the content.