what i learnt in my experience is EQ correction doesn't apply and correct all the frequencies. each of it has a boundary and limit. This is why sub bass is often treated separately in serious setups and even Dirac has a separate bass management. same with ARC. When i started studying these corrections, i felt it is good, but it is for connivence and quick setup for beginners to normal users. Any processor / AVR that has PEQ can be corrected just with a calibration MIC and softwares like REW to a good level.
If you fall in this beginners to normal users bracket going for this is the best option. you can see quick differences and you dont need to be an expert, right away start enjoying your system.
If you fall in other category like most of us here., I encourage experimenting PEQ route along with pre built calibration tools. I dont say they are bad, but we should agree they were bad for a long time. The experience you hear above from is a common thing with Audyssey. it takes out the punch for unknown reason.
I am recently studying this topic and working on two cool projects:
(1) making use of existing old multichannel amp, we know they are very good at amplification, most of the new mid level AVR's can never reach. But we are forced to move away from them because most of them do not have digital inputs. my experiment is to bring them back to life with latest digital formats if you have these old amps lying around gathering dust. may be this can be a step 1.1 towards going separates..
(2) Adding DSP's for each channel in between and condition the signal before the amplification stage using external DSP's. Again reusing existing gear without running out for new tech refresh.
I will try to post separate threads for each how it went if at all they are successful and i dont burn them all
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