Many thanks for this detailed review. I am an owner since about 3 months - it sounds incredibly good. Calibration and setup by a pro who btw did a great job. I am using the Muse with 2x M8 in my homecinema and I like it loud and dynamic now... It is never annying and never too loud for me. Originally I thought Auro3D / auromatic is a pity not to have it. These thooughts are gone. The best thing: it justs works and I do not have to bother about any settings (I use the Auto Mode). This piece of equipment is very stylish but mainly it just rocks my booth :-) P.S Piega Coax speakers plus Ascendo subwoofer SMS-G15 in a 5.1.4 setup.
Nice, well tuned system should play full out as clean as especially with good power. The Ribbons are fast especially when you can use them I tot be Mids- coax a great design - even sound of axis - less room reverb issues / I bet you got some stunning detail. Try multi sub to gain more even great / smoother response. (Tricky with one sub) Hopefully you can get the calibration report to see if/ where the bass can fill in. Be interested to see where it heads next 👍
@@RogueHomeCinema Yes, details are very clear and a strength of the Piegas. The sub is also a great piece of technology actually. It was also calibrated by the same pro. Here are he diagrams of the sub: www.avsforum.com/forum/86-ultra-hi-end-ht-gear-20-000/3050400-new-acurus-muse-16-channel-ssp-w-5500-msrp-5.html#post59427356 I think this is pretty good :-) Particular attention was made on the phases of sub and all speakers to be "in phase". At least that's what I understood. And it was very interesting to see the progress during calibration.
Awesome review, I have had the muse for coming 2 months now. Back then the dealer/installer wanted to calibrate using ASPEQT. However due to Covid19 and lockdown this has not happened as yet. Plan is likely this mid month. It is an awesome bit of kit, am using it in a 5.3.4 setup and it has blown my mind. Am an audiophile as well and integrated to the HT is a dedicated 2 channel system. The difference between the 2 in is not that far off to be honest. Looking forward to what ASPEQT provide in near future!
Hi Ian , great to hear it’s been a good move for you too. So glad immersive audio has real hi fidelity at last (at very fair $) calibration is always another level, with 3 sub channels a lot can be achieved as bass don’t work when phase / timing errors are present- and always present until tunes out. Love to hear the results post tune- let’s us know 👍
@@RogueHomeCinema I just want to ask can the Muse passthrough Dolby Vision signal? On apple TV 4k when Dolby Vision signal is sent I can only SEE HDR10 on the Muse Screen.
Ian Wahyu Ananto hi so far all Dolby vision content appears to be actually be packaged as HDR10. As that’s all I’ve ever even for years no regardless of processor / monitor. My guess is Dolby are “branding themselves” with D- Atmos and D-Vis looking cool on itunes / Netflix , if they only offered D-Vis - not many items would play it. I’ll ask Jim at lumagen I na. Coming pod cast what he’s been seeing 👍
Scott... *fantastic video* !! I really liked how you did the lighting, and you did a great job of looking at the camera during your conversation...and that you discussed multi-channel & 2-channel content was brilliant! Additionally, the comparison to the ultra hi-end (Trinnov, DataSat, Storm) was immensely insightful. Though I think everyone dreams of owning those processors, something like the MUSE is more realistic for a broader HT consumer. You know I've been anxiously awaiting this review - *and you didn't disappoint* 👍💯😉!!! One quick question: Why a 7.2.4 setup instead of a 9.2.4 reproduction? Thanks so much and looking forward to your next one.
I don't know why he did it or if he is missing the back channels but I've heard putting the front wides gives you more bang for your buck as far as Atmos goes.
@@hddanman7263 - yes, I'm guessing he did *not* do the wides, but has a 3 LCR, 2 SS, 2 BS, 2 SW, 2 FH, 2 RH setup. And I agree, to me, the huge advantage of a 16-channel system is the ability to add front wide channels.
Hey guys , yes it’s 7.2.4 - LCR, surr, back, Atmos front , Atmos back. Only reason the wides were not in (yet) is the same reason I don’t have a Barco projector - $$$$. Did Not want to put just any speaker there when every thing else is perfectly matched. But I’m stoked to report 2 new Theory SB25 speakers have just arrived. So it’s 9.2.4 time (and when the slim subs come out later in the year 9.4.4, as I literally can not fit more as the same room also runs a 5.2.2)
Really Amazing review I've been looking at this and the Audio Research X7 I think that's the model but man from this review seems like this might be the one except the audio research has Dirac live and i herd great things about it as well do you know or have you herd there home theater proccesors what do you think if so. also I haven't had anybody tell me it's too loud and i usually listen at reference level or 70 but at reference volume sometimes i can hear a little like reverb or something that makes voices sound a little unclear i guess but then on another movie it sounds fine so i get confused but i also dont have my room acoustically treated so maybe that's it. I'm testing some Arendal 1723 monitors have you herd these speakers if so what do you think.thanks
Hi Must mean the Audio Control x7. I’ve not tried any new kit. It’s looks very much like an Arcam av40 in a bigger box (I can not be sure if this is true or how much the same if so) i say this as I did calibrate an audio control avr and it was the same systems as an Arcam avr.... or same fault actually :( I would suggest out side of sound, the Muse at least offers upgradable boards. I’ve not heard of AC or Arcam offering this. And I would doubt it would sound better... hope to have an Arcam AV40 to test later in the year.
Deff some acoustic control will deliver more focus, clarity and consistency. As for Arendal I’ve not heard these, my main take is avoiding dipole speakers, for Atmos to work mono pole / direct firing speakers are the key. Dipole is an older concept yet to die as they seem to sell well despite inaccuracies, ref- Floyd Tool.
@@RogueHomeCinema awesome thanks for the reply i will probably go with the acurus muse if i can get it and just have it calibrated is it true that manual EQ is better just not easier for someone untrained so basically I'm asking if i can get the same or better results from a pro doing manual EQ instead of me doing auto EQ.thanks
@@RogueHomeCinema thanks i actually have some bipole surround speakers right now witch sound good in terms of spreading sound everywhere in the back but will be replacing them with direct firing speakers as upgrade for Atmos not sure if the arendals are considered narrow or wide dispersion but they have pin point imaging so i think norrow so hopefully will sound very good.thanks again
Can the Muse output front L/R digital processed data into a stereo dac, eg not analog output via the XLRs? Perhaps through optional AES3 outputs? I have been hunting for a processor for someone who has already invested heavily stereo dac, preamps, amps and stereos channels. With most HT dacs I have tried, there is just so much that is lost when compared to a solid 2 channel audiophile dac, preamp, stereo, esp when it goes beyond the Audio Research Ref 6 you mentioned in your video So far it looks like most of the options with AES out are priced close to where Trinnov32, Dataset, Storm Audio.. Any suggestions for the above specific application?
All the digital processing outputs found in the big 3 - Storm, Trinnov and Datasat. You can option digital only out with the Storm , ie don’t buy the Dacs/ xlr ours and save some $$ that way. And still have hardware capable of modular and software up grades.
That’s a fair point. At this class of product balanced XLR makes sense. However - some units that do (have XLR connection) just wired direct to unbalanced audio path anyway. So the nice “connector” may not actually deliver an advantage.
If I purchased the Muse without its eq kit could a calibrator still use Dirac Live to set it up and calibrate my system? Want to move into separates soon. Talked to these guys at CEDIA 19 and they were cool and I liked the solution. I already have outboard Amps too.
Jarod Reddig Dirac needs to be installed into the processor from factory. So that’s a no for Dirac. The guys at Acurus mentioned it gave up some options of designing the overall audio path. What a calibrator can do is access the PEQ on bird the Muse. Take readings for the calibrator tools and apply Into the muse via the menu. Only done side It’s not as fast, but it does allow calibrator distraction. Also to note an auto Eq system Won’t pick up or sub and move it. An experienced audio calibration will review speaker and seating locations and tweak these along with the EQ available. HAA trained guys should be very good at all of the above.
Rogue Custom Home Cinema Thanks for the reply mate. I’ve been using an AVR with XT32 with great results, took years to learn best practices, setup etc., but ready to graduate to the next level with separates. Figured I’d hire a pro to calibrate this time. Cheers pal
Jarod Reddig yeah EQ is the cherry on top. Have your local calibrator review the room Before any speaker / layout changes too. The Muse is a stunner. It’s truely high end sound for half $$ what we’d usually expect.
What do you mean by remapping. Often people think this is creating more Atmos channels but even the Trinnov does not do this Ie- creating wide / atmos Mids when the content. Has not offered it. My friend runs an ALT16 and Monitors wide / atm mids, only gets this on specific discs. Can only use all channels if stepping back to 7.1 and up mixing (usually not as good) You do you mean the optimiser 3D speaker location / distance speaker ?
I've been having an issue with the Oppo 203 playing nicely with the Muse. It passes audio great but no video or just snow. Other input peripherals work fine and the Oppo 203 works great when connected directly to the projector. Anyone seeing the same issue?
Jamey Scott I had a pana 9000 run ok and just installed an oppo 203 (on test from a project) however have a guest processor installed and yet to test with the Muse. I’ll do a quick hdmi rig up and see what I get. Note new 2.830 firmware just out. May help too.
@@RogueHomeCinema Thanks for the reply! Yes, I've updated to the latest 2.830 on the Muse and the Oppo says it's up to date. In fact this problem only started after the Muse update. The 2.7 firmware that I had been running prior to that was working flawlessly. I think this is a problem introduced in the new firmware, but I was experiencing worse issues related to the AppleTV input on that firmware so I don't dare go back. Sadly, it looks like I'm in limbo with the Oppo until we can figure out what's going on with the Muse.
Jamey Scott bummer - yes HDMI firmware - it’s a love hate relationship! Are you running the HDMI 2.1 board? Shoot a message to acurics support of course for action rather speculation. It’s good to share here as different devices / firmware throw as all curve balls and it’s good to know what’s up
@@RogueHomeCinema Yes, I'm in direct contact. Was just trying to gather some info on whether anyone else was having this issue. Hard to find other Muse users.
this was not a paid advert. Id advise if this was true. I paid for my Muse. And I’ve paid for my experience of 20 years full time in the field, getting audio / video wrong and working things out. Specs, features and promises only go so far. So it’s a pleasure to experience a product in an environment we know well to be impressed - or not. Measurements are done well by other reviewers and sites, I don’t see a need to double up. Rather I try to join the dots in what makes the product relevant for various systems and end user experience. of course a subjective review to share I I think it’s bloody awesome. With Anthem, Arcam, Storm and Trinnov processors in and out the door last year, In the same room, I feel my Perspective and experience can offer valuable insights. I don’t need a spec sheet to tell me if it’s awesome or average. I actually get to experience the final result. Although of course and I agreed it’s the spec sheet that needs review, and this decides if I’m going to even invest my time in trying it out. If you feel this review reaches a far different conclusion to all others, I’d understand some concern, but it does not. The Muse is highly regarded, and other installers from across the world have reached out to me personally sharing their splendid results also. If you are serious about cinema and don’t have the $$ for likes Of Storm audio, this is a must to audition, you won’t be disappointed
Thanks a million for this great review, Scott! We're so pleased you're happy with the Muse and are very appreciative of your thorough review!
My unit will installed next week and veeeery excited,,, 9.4.6
How’s the result , first impressions?
Is the eq kit available yet?
Many thanks for this detailed review. I am an owner since about 3 months - it sounds incredibly good. Calibration and setup by a pro who btw did a great job. I am using the Muse with 2x M8 in my homecinema and I like it loud and dynamic now... It is never annying and never too loud for me. Originally I thought Auro3D / auromatic is a pity not to have it. These thooughts are gone. The best thing: it justs works and I do not have to bother about any settings (I use the Auto Mode). This piece of equipment is very stylish but mainly it just rocks my booth :-)
P.S Piega Coax speakers plus Ascendo subwoofer SMS-G15 in a 5.1.4 setup.
Nice, well tuned system should play full out as clean as especially with good power. The Ribbons are fast especially when you can use them I tot be Mids- coax a great design - even sound of axis - less room reverb issues / I bet you got some stunning detail. Try multi sub to gain more even great / smoother response. (Tricky with one sub) Hopefully you can get the calibration report to see if/ where the bass can fill in. Be interested to see where it heads next 👍
@@RogueHomeCinema Yes, details are very clear and a strength of the Piegas. The sub is also a great piece of technology actually. It was also calibrated by the same pro. Here are he diagrams of the sub:
www.avsforum.com/forum/86-ultra-hi-end-ht-gear-20-000/3050400-new-acurus-muse-16-channel-ssp-w-5500-msrp-5.html#post59427356
I think this is pretty good :-) Particular attention was made on the phases of sub and all speakers to be "in phase". At least that's what I understood. And it was very interesting to see the progress during calibration.
Awesome review, I have had the muse for coming 2 months now. Back then the dealer/installer wanted to calibrate using ASPEQT. However due to Covid19 and lockdown this has not happened as yet. Plan is likely this mid month.
It is an awesome bit of kit, am using it in a 5.3.4 setup and it has blown my mind. Am an audiophile as well and integrated to the HT is a dedicated 2 channel system. The difference between the 2 in is not that far off to be honest.
Looking forward to what ASPEQT provide in near future!
Hi Ian , great to hear it’s been a good move for you too. So glad immersive audio has real hi fidelity at last (at very fair $) calibration is always another level, with 3 sub channels a lot can be achieved as bass don’t work when phase / timing errors are present- and always present until tunes out. Love to hear the results post tune- let’s us know 👍
@@RogueHomeCinema I just want to ask can the Muse passthrough Dolby Vision signal?
On apple TV 4k when Dolby Vision signal is sent I can only SEE HDR10 on the Muse Screen.
Ian Wahyu Ananto hi so far all Dolby vision content appears to be actually be packaged as HDR10. As that’s all I’ve ever even for years no regardless of processor / monitor. My guess is Dolby are “branding themselves” with D- Atmos and D-Vis looking cool on itunes / Netflix , if they only offered D-Vis - not many items would play it. I’ll ask Jim at lumagen I na. Coming pod cast what he’s been seeing 👍
Scott... *fantastic video* !! I really liked how you did the lighting, and you did a great job of looking at the camera during your conversation...and that you discussed multi-channel & 2-channel content was brilliant! Additionally, the comparison to the ultra hi-end (Trinnov, DataSat, Storm) was immensely insightful. Though I think everyone dreams of owning those processors, something like the MUSE is more realistic for a broader HT consumer. You know I've been anxiously awaiting this review - *and you didn't disappoint* 👍💯😉!!!
One quick question: Why a 7.2.4 setup instead of a 9.2.4 reproduction?
Thanks so much and looking forward to your next one.
I don't know why he did it or if he is missing the back channels but I've heard putting the front wides gives you more bang for your buck as far as Atmos goes.
@@hddanman7263 - yes, I'm guessing he did *not* do the wides, but has a 3 LCR, 2 SS, 2 BS, 2 SW, 2 FH, 2 RH setup. And I agree, to me, the huge advantage of a 16-channel system is the ability to add front wide channels.
Hey guys , yes it’s 7.2.4 - LCR, surr, back, Atmos front , Atmos back. Only reason the wides were not in (yet) is the same reason I don’t have a Barco projector - $$$$. Did Not want to put just any speaker there when every thing else is perfectly matched. But I’m stoked to report 2 new Theory SB25 speakers have just arrived. So it’s 9.2.4 time (and when the slim subs come out later in the year 9.4.4, as I literally can not fit more as the same room also runs a 5.2.2)
@@RogueHomeCinema Excited stuff, Scott! And, I totally get it!!!! You're the best, buddy!
Really Amazing review I've been looking at this and the Audio Research X7 I think that's the model but man from this review seems like this might be the one except the audio research has Dirac live and i herd great things about it as well do you know or have you herd there home theater proccesors what do you think if so. also I haven't had anybody tell me it's too loud and i usually listen at reference level or 70 but at reference volume sometimes i can hear a little like reverb or something that makes voices sound a little unclear i guess but then on another movie it sounds fine so i get confused but i also dont have my room acoustically treated so maybe that's it. I'm testing some Arendal 1723 monitors have you herd these speakers if so what do you think.thanks
Hi
Must mean the Audio Control x7. I’ve not tried any new kit. It’s looks very much like an Arcam av40 in a bigger box (I can not be sure if this is true or how much the same if so) i say this as I did calibrate an audio control avr and it was the same systems as an Arcam avr.... or same fault actually :( I would suggest out side of sound, the Muse at least offers upgradable boards. I’ve not heard of AC or Arcam offering this. And I would doubt it would sound better... hope to have an Arcam AV40 to test later in the year.
Deff some acoustic control will deliver more focus, clarity and consistency. As for Arendal I’ve not heard these, my main take is avoiding dipole speakers, for Atmos to work mono pole / direct firing speakers are the key. Dipole is an older concept yet to die as they seem to sell well despite inaccuracies, ref- Floyd Tool.
@@RogueHomeCinema awesome thanks for the reply i will probably go with the acurus muse if i can get it and just have it calibrated is it true that manual EQ is better just not easier for someone untrained so basically I'm asking if i can get the same or better results from a pro doing manual EQ instead of me doing auto EQ.thanks
@@RogueHomeCinema thanks i actually have some bipole surround speakers right now witch sound good in terms of spreading sound everywhere in the back but will be replacing them with direct firing speakers as upgrade for Atmos not sure if the arendals are considered narrow or wide dispersion but they have pin point imaging so i think norrow so hopefully will sound very good.thanks again
@@RogueHomeCinema also yes your right it is the audio control not audio research wishful thinking I guess 😁
Can the Muse output front L/R digital processed data into a stereo dac, eg not analog output via the XLRs? Perhaps through optional AES3 outputs?
I have been hunting for a processor for someone who has already invested heavily stereo dac, preamps, amps and stereos channels. With most HT dacs I have tried, there is just so much that is lost when compared to a solid 2 channel audiophile dac, preamp, stereo, esp when it goes beyond the Audio Research Ref 6 you mentioned in your video
So far it looks like most of the options with AES out are priced close to where Trinnov32, Dataset, Storm Audio..
Any suggestions for the above specific application?
All the digital processing outputs found in the big 3 - Storm, Trinnov and Datasat.
You can option digital only out with the Storm , ie don’t buy the Dacs/ xlr ours and save some $$ that way. And still have hardware capable of modular and software up grades.
question, in terms of audio on about 6000 $ is it better acurus muse or the jbl spd 55? thank you if you answer me
Both extremely good units
Nice one!
Nice processor! I just wish it had XLR analog inputs, that makes it a no go for me. Thanks for this review!
That’s a fair point. At this class of product balanced XLR makes sense.
However - some units that do (have XLR connection) just wired direct to unbalanced audio path anyway.
So the nice “connector” may not actually deliver an advantage.
If I purchased the Muse without its eq kit could a calibrator still use Dirac Live to set it up and calibrate my system? Want to move into separates soon. Talked to these guys at CEDIA 19 and they were cool and I liked the solution. I already have outboard Amps too.
Jarod Reddig Dirac needs to be installed into the processor from factory. So that’s a no for Dirac.
The guys at Acurus mentioned it gave up some options of designing the overall audio path.
What a calibrator can do is access the PEQ on bird the Muse.
Take readings for the calibrator tools and apply Into the muse via the menu.
Only done side
It’s not as fast, but it does allow calibrator distraction.
Also to note an auto Eq system
Won’t pick up or sub and move it.
An experienced audio calibration will review speaker and seating locations and tweak these along with the EQ available.
HAA trained guys should be very good at all of the above.
Rogue Custom Home Cinema Thanks for the reply mate. I’ve been using an AVR with XT32 with great results, took years to learn best practices, setup etc., but ready to graduate to the next level with separates. Figured I’d hire a pro to calibrate this time. Cheers pal
Jarod Reddig yeah EQ is the cherry on top. Have your local calibrator review the room
Before any speaker / layout changes too.
The Muse is a stunner. It’s truely high end sound for half $$ what we’d usually expect.
Rogue Custom Home Cinema Excited to get one! Thank so much for the tips and the help.
Excellent job. Subbed.
Has it a remapping function like the trinnov altitude ?
What do you mean by remapping.
Often people think this is creating more Atmos channels but even the Trinnov does not do this
Ie- creating wide / atmos
Mids when the content. Has not offered it.
My friend runs an ALT16 and
Monitors wide / atm mids, only gets this on specific discs.
Can only use all channels if stepping back to 7.1 and up mixing (usually not as good)
You do you mean the optimiser 3D speaker location / distance speaker ?
I've been having an issue with the Oppo 203 playing nicely with the Muse. It passes audio great but no video or just snow. Other input peripherals work fine and the Oppo 203 works great when connected directly to the projector. Anyone seeing the same issue?
Jamey Scott I had a pana 9000 run ok and just installed an oppo 203 (on test from a project) however have a guest processor installed and yet to test with the Muse. I’ll do a quick hdmi rig up and see what I get. Note new 2.830 firmware just out. May help too.
@@RogueHomeCinema Thanks for the reply! Yes, I've updated to the latest 2.830 on the Muse and the Oppo says it's up to date. In fact this problem only started after the Muse update. The 2.7 firmware that I had been running prior to that was working flawlessly. I think this is a problem introduced in the new firmware, but I was experiencing worse issues related to the AppleTV input on that firmware so I don't dare go back. Sadly, it looks like I'm in limbo with the Oppo until we can figure out what's going on with the Muse.
Jamey Scott bummer - yes HDMI firmware - it’s a love hate relationship! Are you running the HDMI 2.1 board? Shoot a message to acurics support of course for action rather speculation. It’s good to share here as different devices / firmware throw as all curve balls and it’s good to know what’s up
@@RogueHomeCinema Yes, I'm in direct contact. Was just trying to gather some info on whether anyone else was having this issue. Hard to find other Muse users.
Where can one purchase this unit with international delivery?
Look up Acurus web / international distribution
If no one in your area let me or the guys at Acurus know, and we’ll find a way.
Without measurements , I see this as paid for advertisement
this was not a paid advert. Id advise if this was true.
I paid for my Muse.
And I’ve paid for my experience of 20 years full time in the field, getting audio / video wrong and working things out.
Specs, features and promises only go so far.
So it’s a pleasure to experience a product in an environment we know well to be impressed - or not.
Measurements are done well by other reviewers and sites, I don’t see a need to double up.
Rather I try to join the dots in what makes the product relevant for various systems and end user experience.
of course a subjective review to share I I think it’s bloody awesome.
With Anthem, Arcam, Storm and Trinnov processors in and out the door last year, In the same room, I feel my Perspective and experience can offer valuable insights.
I don’t need a spec sheet to tell me if it’s awesome or average. I actually get to experience the final result.
Although of course and I agreed it’s the spec sheet that needs review, and this decides if I’m going to even invest my time in trying it out.
If you feel this review reaches a far different conclusion to all others, I’d understand some concern, but it does not.
The Muse is highly regarded, and other installers from across the world have reached out to me personally sharing their splendid results also.
If you are serious about cinema and don’t have the $$ for likes
Of Storm audio, this is a must to audition, you won’t be disappointed