Any Anthem AVM40 information?

B

BearWolfe

Member
I wonder if anyone in here is employing one of these in their system and can tell me more about it. I am currently looking at one and am trying to gather enough to make an informed decision before pulling the trigger as it is a big ordeal logistically getting my hands on it. What attracts me is that it can do HT and is a preamp as I am planing on driving 4 KEF 107s with proper amplification, but have a funky living room in an open concept and do not have many walls and 17' ceiling height.
 
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I have and use a AVM20, I believe the AVM series are preamps/processors only, so you won't be driving any speakers with them without a power amp. Also, if the remote isn't included, those things are unobtanium. Phone apps, and universals work somewhat, but not perfectly. Oh, and don't try updating the firmware unless you're absolutely positively sure you have the right cable. Best way to do is with the right serial to serial cable and a PC with a serial port. The usb to serial method is wonky, and it really won't work unless it's the exact cable Anthem tells you to use.
 
BearWolfe said:
I wonder if anyone in here is employing one of these in their system and can tell me more about it. I am currently looking at one and am trying to gather enough to make an informed decision before pulling the trigger as it is a big ordeal logistically getting my hands on it. What attracts me is that it can do HT and is a preamp as I am planing on driving 4 KEF 107s with proper amplification, but have a funky living room in an open concept and do not have many walls and 17' ceiling height.
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They have a buttload of features and settings. Is there something about it that is more specifically a concern?
 
I am aware of this. I have a Forte Model 3 so far so I need to track down another power amp or use my other receiver, Sansui 9900Z, for amplification only via the aux channel.
 
Whoaru99, I am curious how well it can compensate for space. I have a 20 by 22 living room with little wall space as it is a very open floor plan. Not an ideal situation by any means, but it is what it is. And in general, how does it compare to other options.
I am just getting in to all this with HiFi, again, since I moved from a different country and have not been able to afford anything or had time to so far, but it is changing now, so I have a lot of catching up to do.
 
BearWolfe said:
Yes, I guess that is what one would call it. There is not too much information about Anthem at all on the net.
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You should be able to download the manual from Anthem.

But, as bigx5murf eludes to, the AVM 40 predates room correction so you have the pretty standard albeit manual tunings for individual channel levels, speaker distances, crossover points, etc. There are a couple other little tuning features but nothing like ARC (or Audyssey, YPAO, etc. in other brands).

As well you can have two completely separate speaker/bass management configurations, one for HT and one for music, if desired. Or, they can both be the same.
 
If you want room correction, you'll be better served by a TOTL avr from the same era IMO. the 2006-2012 "uber receivers" are really nice, long as you don't need 4k source switching. I have a yamaha rx-z7 myself, the YPAO room correction works fairly well. But I do still make small adjustments from their recommendations.

The proper way to do room correction with the AVM will be to use a SPL meter and playing test tones through each speaker, then manually making adjustments.
 
Download the manual from Anthem.

Or, again, if there is something more specific ask...

(btw, the links work for me too)
 
Hey Bear Wolfe I am using the AVM60. I have a lot of experience with spl meters and test discs with pink noise. Also equalizers. I always set my equipment with the meters. I had to really try very hard to get the proper crossover to my sub. Used loops with AB on the blu ray player on organ notes that were sustained. Used log sweeps and looped frequencies of 90 80 so forth down to 10 HZ to get it where I thought it was best. Then used the Blu ray Dark of the Moon the Transformers. It had the lowest bass in the soundtrack I have come across. Kept looping the lowest sections and adjusted the cross over with the remote on my AVR from my listening spot. I did this with the new AVM 60 as well. Then when I finally ran the ARC system I was blown away. Also quite humbled. I used to have a volume limit before the bass would get boomy. Trust me I ran the volume right to the tip before the boom set in. I thought maybe I didn't have enough amplification at the time so I got a used Anthem P5 Statement, and that gave me a hefty 300 watts for my 5 large speakers, all the same, ADS L1290/2s. My room is temporary so it is terrible to get good acoustics. Very large with all smooth surfaces no rug no room treatment on the walls and smooth ceiling as well as 2 picture windows. A nightmare for good sound. The ARC system gave me more volume with heavy accurate bass. Seemed to cut down on some of the room gain. I have used the Audessy in my old AVR but never got this much of an improvement. I would try to get a little more cash and get the 60 or one of the AVR with the ARC system. I really think you would be shocked at the improvement of the sound. Well worth the cost.
 
Spent a few hours on Youtube last night watching videos of self made acoustic panels and tube traps for bass. I can't believe the variety and simplicity of the products. Also links to hours of experts lectureing on the subject. Showing exactly where to place the absorbers and diffusers.
I still like the guy who designed my crossovers.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/rooms.htm
 
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