Audyssey

Pros

• Delivers dramatic improvements in soundstage and audio quality for home theater environments.
• Effectively tames frequency response peaks and room reflections.
• Accessible on a wide range of hardware, including affordable older receivers.
• Highly extensible and powerful when used with the $20 mobile app and community-developed tools.

Cons

• Frequently misidentifies speaker size and sets crossovers too low (e.g., 40Hz instead of 80Hz).
• Stock calibration can result in boomy bass and high-frequency harshness.
• The mobile app can be buggy, occasionally resulting in incorrect level settings (e.g., all channels at -12dB).
• Generally considered less capable than Dirac Live for complex multi-subwoofer setups.

Caveats

• Users often recommend manually disabling 'Midrange Compensation' in the app to improve sound character.
• Optimal results require very precise microphone placement, often within a tight 'bubble' of 18-24 inches.
• The 'After' graphs in the software are often estimates and may not reflect the actual measured room response.

Best for

• Denon and Marantz receiver owners.
• Users willing to perform manual tweaks and use the $20 MultEQ Editor app.
• Home theater enthusiasts looking for a cost-effective alternative to high-end correction suites.

Avoid if

• You require a 'set-and-forget' system that reliably handles crossover settings without manual intervention.
• You have the budget and preference for Dirac Live's more advanced functionality.