Review: Audyssey Laboratories Sound Equalizer

My home theater system consists of the Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.2 speakers for left-right front, an Episode HT-650LCR center channel, two Episode HT-525 for left-right surround and the Episode C5-SUB12 12" subwoofer. I measured eight listening positions with the Detection Results that appear in Diagram 2 (large image). I auditioned the four Target Curves and selected the High Frequency Roll-Off 2 curve. The results were most evident in the center, surround speakers and subwoofer. Notice in Diagram 2, the center and surround speakers roll-off rather quickly above 1 kHz, and the subwoofer has a +5 dB rise from 30 Hz – 60 Hz. The Audyssey Sound Equalizer smoothed out the entire system. Not surprisingly, the system sounded much more open and revealing after equalization and bass became a lot tighter with much better definition.

I should point out that I use a Parasound P7 preamp for both systems. The P7 preamp can be used as a two-channel and home theater control amp, allowing the best stereo and home theater performance.

As I mentioned, the results with the Sound Equalizer were so stark it caused me to question whether my listening room was absorbing too many mid and high frequencies due to the room acoustic treatments. That is disputable, but the benefits of the Audyssey are not. The Sound Equalizer produced remarkable improvement in the sound of my two-channel and home theater systems. It is also a solution for systems that do not use timbre-matched speakers in all channels.

The likely question that every enthusiast must have is: Does the Audyssey Sound Equalizer produce results that make it worth $2,500 (plus installation, roughly $300 - $600 depending on the installer and the complexity of the system)?

To answer that question, you must first determine how important good sound is to you. If it's a top priority, then yes, the Sound Equalizer is a good investment. Are there less expensive solutions to acoustic irregularities? Room acoustic treatments are a solution, but not always less expensive and perhaps not as effective – it all depends on your listening room and its acoustic characteristics.

I would not recommend it for every system, and it can only be installed in systems using separate preamp and amps. It is also designed to be used in high quality listening rooms and cannot solve problems resulting from highly irregular acoustics. But for my money, sound quality is a priority and the Audyssey Sound Equalizer unquestionably made listening to music and movies more enjoyable and is worth the investment. In my stereo and home theater system it was the final step to achieving great sound.