STR-DN 1080 - Calibration setting not stored

[phil_merge]

Hi,

After performing the auto speaker calibration and selecting a setting ("Full Flat" for example), this setting is not stored. 

When I switch the receiver off and on again, the speaker calibration setting is ignored, although it still says "Full Flat" in the menu. The sound is as if it was set to "Off".

I need to manually set the setting to "Off" and to "Full flat" to hear the correct speaker calibration.

Thanks for your help!

Phil

[dutchice]

Hi @phil_merge and @Beeper85,

In order to be able to investigate the issue we first would need you to help us reproduce the fault on our side.

So we would like to ask you to post a detailed process step where you include exactly which menu options you modify in the process to trigger the fault. Please start always the process by executing a full factory reset on the device. This ensures that the starting device state for the replication is for both sides (yours and ours) the same.

Cheers,

Dutchice

[Beeper85]

Ok.

Run a factory reset, set up internet (WiFi). Agree to Chromecast terms etc.

Go to the auto calibration settings.

Set speaker set up (5.1, no height speakers).

Start set up.

Set up runs fine.

Save settings set auto calibration to full flat.

Say yes to APM.

Save.

Watch Netflix (via arc) from Sony xf90. Sound is good, full flat is on.

Turn off TV (which powers down amp).

Turn back on.

Start watching Netflix again.

Sound is poor.

Check amp settings (using osd and full menu). Both show full flat as active in auto calib mode setting. Clearly not working though.

Change setting to off, then back to full flat. 

Full flat is applied and sound clear sounding.

Repeat process as happens each time.

[phil_merge]

Thank you Beeper85 for this detailed description.
And I can confirm this. That is exactly the problem.
And by the way, unplugging the unit does not change anything.
Updating to the latest Firmware did not help.
And you need to listen! Not only look at the screen, where everything looks normal.

[Beeper85]

Agreed - you need to listen to the eq, or lack thereof!

The screen will make it look as though all is fine, but the sound is not.

I expect many don't realise this is happening

[Beeper85]

Dutchie

Have you managed to replicate the fault?

Sony customer service over email is useless and want me to pay to send the unit in, which is crazy.

[dutchice]

Hi @Beeper85,

I will certainly update the thread as soon as I have gathered the results. It might take sometime though as testing sound characteristics requires specialised recording hardware and also adequate software for frequency spectrum analysis.

Keep in mind however that the STR-DN1080 receiver has already been about 2 years on the market. So my personal expectation is that if this was effectively a software fault, it certainly would have been noticed long ago, since a wide range of professional reviewers and AV magazines scrutinize these devices for benchmarks. So obviously it would have been reported by far greater numbers than the current 3 reports. All which points to a possible isolated instance or use-configuration rather than general device fault.

For that reason we need to gather systematic test results and can’t rely on personal perceptions in order to rule in or rule out a fault.

Cheers,

Dutchice

[Beeper85]

Would a video from those experiencing the issue help? It really doesn't need any special equipment...

[dutchice]

Hi @Beeper85,

Feel absolutely free to attach and provide as much detail as you can. I would also be interested to know if according to you the issue also applies to any other sources other than HDMI connected devices (music service, USB devices, tuner, etc.) For testing purposes I recommend you disconnect all HDMI attached devices and start from a full factory reset again.

Cheers,

Dutchice

[phil_merge]

Yes, the problem is the same for any source: hdmi, spdif, etc. And the problem is the same if there is one or more sources connected.

The unit itself has a problem, not external sources and not the user.


No special measurement instruments are needed, only a pair of ears.


I am happy to write to reviewers about this, as I am quite sure that they did not notice anything. I have written about this two days after I purchased the receiver. And that was nearly one year ago.


With all my respect, I really doubt that only a few items are affected. My guess is also that noone ever noticed. And I posted about this nearly one year ago.


Philippe

[Beeper85]

Agree - all sources are affected. 

I'll try and work out how to get a video and post it the video audio is clear enough to see the difference