As described in
this thread, the possibility of having a highly effective, freely adjustable DRC within KODI is great and unique regarding end user home cinema devices.
I came across many of todays (also expensive) AVR and so far no AVR could offer such great DRC possibilities. Most AVR have settings like "low, mid, max" which get you some mediocre results. Sometimes even limited to only Dolby, not DTS etc.) Some AVRs DRC functions are tied to VolumeControl itself. None of them ever delivered such good and stable results as KODI. (Testing with typical voice-to-explosion benchmark snippets)
Keeping in mind that marketing suggests highest possible Dynamic Range = GREAT (which is somehow true for not-home cinema but not for home environments). Keeping consumers interested in the latest AVR and audio formats, one can guess why they don't put too much effort in offering well developed (although optional) DRC-possibilites.
In my experience, using the AVRs integrated DRC doesn't keep people from coming back and asking again:
"Hey, i tried your hint regarding this DRC setting in my AVR, it helps a little little bit, but it's still bad. Any idea?"
Using KODI with DRC of about 10dB (or more - see thread) is just great. No one ever asked again after setting it up like this. (and yes, explosions are still clearly louder than voices. Thats the beauty: The amount of DRC can be adjusted so you feel it's just right for your listening habits and possibilities (neighbours))
Using a global KODI-DRC-amount of about 10dB (this is what i use) up to ~ 18dB (for people who really need maximum DRC) seems to make sense.
If only. Alas, my ageing DVD Theatre system has no such setting Edit: gosh, Who knew, hidden away in the menus there was an option to boost channels on me old Sony - the manual seemed to indicate that this only worked for DVD mode, but it seems to work for "Video 2" - the Optical In .
