Conclusion

Had I known earlier about the cost of this app I would have insisted on paying $31 less for my AV8805. While I am unhappy, I do not find myself regretting the purchase as the App works well with only 1 major bug (see point 3 in Cons)

Pros

1. Easy to use
2. Flexible and surprisingly powerful that will delight the inner tweaker in you
3. Ability to have multiple curves on hand to upload to the receiver to find the best configuration

Cons

1. Why is this not free?
2. Very poor documentation
3. Using the Android ‘back’ button at certain places will corrupt the file

I have absolutely no idea why this app has garnered so many negative reviews on Play. There’s not even enough users on iOS to get a review.Perhaps I havn’t used this app long enough to find out all it’s bugs.

So far this APP is a pleasure to use and it provides a quick and easy way to dial things in. While there are not enough points you can add to adjust the curve, it’s still good enough to get things done. Even without adjustments, the sound quality after a quick 8-point Audyssey calibration is already pretty impressive. This is before the HDAM are fully run in. The sound is only going to get better from now.

Better Than The Denon AVR-3808A

But to keep all this in perspective, note my assessment means nothing because I’m basing my observation from using a Denon AVR-3808A for more than a decade. The video processor on the AV8805 is so much more advanced than the Denon AVR-3808A there is no need for me to add a mandatory 200 ms delay. The move to the Marantz is a significant step up for me but it may not be so for your case. E.g. You may well feel impressed coming from the Denon AVP or the older brother AV8802.

If you’re using a decade old amp and want to go the AV pre-processor route - add the Marantz AVR8805 to your short list. The AV8805 supports all the latest video and audio standards. You also gain the ability to use the MultEQ editor in tandem with the AV8805.

The two combined makes the AV8805 the better buy over the AV8802A long term wise in my opinion.

That being said, D+M may well update the MultEQ editor to support AV8802A. If you are on the fence, why not simply wait it out and see what D+M does to the MultEQ app? I do not see any technical limitation why this cannot be supported on it’s older brother. If this eventuates the AV8802A becomes a very attractive option as you will get a good price.

MultEQ Editor Vs Audyssey Pro Kit

If you’re tending towards the AV8802A because it has pro support. Don’t! Although the pro kit uses a calibrated microphone that is better built. Know that the cheap Audyssey microphone ships with the AV8805 will suffice when taking multiple measurements The law of averages will even everything out and you will get the same degree of accuracy regardless.

The Pro kit is built with better quality for a reason - it is a work’s tool designed to be used daily by professional audio installers. The pro kit has to be durable to perform it’s duty.

With your AV8805, you really only need to take a good set of 8 measurements once. Most people only need to measure once, store the microphone away and spend the rest of your time to manipulate the curves and upload it to your receiver via the MultEQ editor. Given what the MultEQ offers, personally I see no value in the pro kit (although your experience will vary).

A good quality tripod is still a must though. Borrow one from a photography friend if you have no intention of changing your home theatre setup or layout often.

So thus ends my quick review of the Marantz AV8805 for now. I have nothing further to add till I upgrade to a 4K TV, power amps and a 4K source. And besides, I have ‘Blind Testing’ to finish.

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