a-them mrx 1120/720, Operating Manual

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A N T H E M R O O M C O R R E C T I O N
ARC corrects the effects of reflective surfaces and room boundaries on sound quality
by measuring the response of each speaker relative to the listening area and equalizing
it. ARC equalizes response without stressing the amplifier or speakers and does not
downsample the source material to process it. ARC’s filters are neither graphic nor
parametric – ARC is a sophisticated system that flattens response using its ability to
create practically any suitable function, inherently correcting phase effects created by
the room.
The default correction range is 5 kHz. Although it can be lowered if needed, it cannot
be raised since the microphone becomes directional at upper frequencies, affecting
measurement accuracy.
ARC also detects how much the room reinforces low frequencies due to its boundaries
and pressurization. This room gain shows as a bump in the target response. ARC does
not remove it because if flattened, bass sounds thin. Ideal anechoic speaker response,
a straight line as measured in a special non-reverberant facility, is not the same as ideal
in-room response which normally includes, to varying degree, this room gain.
ARC senses where each speaker’s low-frequency response declines and sets high-pass
filters accordingly. Calibration is set such that average level is the same when comparing
EQ “On” vs “Off”. Note that to set levels ARC uses a midrange band that’s wider than
the standard home theater setup noise, which is centered at 1 kHz and narrow so
there’s no chance its level would be reduced by a crossover.
Sample response:
Note that for the subwoofer, the maximum correction range is shown. What it plays
depends on what the other channels send to it, as determined by their crossover
settings.
EQ IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR
MY SUBWOOFER(S) – SHOULD
I USE IT?
Since rooms and correction
systems vary, the answer varies
although it is usually best to disable
the subwoofer’s EQ before running
ARC. If the resulting calculated
and target curves resemble each
other, there is usually no reason
to use the sub’s EQ. If the curves
significantly differ through a wide
range, enable the sub’s EQ and
run ARC again to see if it helps. If
you have run ARC with the sub’s
EQ enabled, ARC must be run
again once the sub’s EQ is turned
off.
If using multiple Paradigm subs,
results are often better with the
subwoofer’s correction system
having been run on each sub
before using ARC.