Harman Kardon AVR 4550 Owner'S Manual Download Page 26

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SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

System Configuration

Output Level Adjustment

Output level adjustment is a key part of the
configuration of any surround-sound product. It
is particularly important for a digital receiver
such as the AVR 4550, as correct outputs ensure
that you hear sound tracks with the proper
directionality and intensity.

NOTE:

Listeners are often confused about the

operation of the surround channels. While some
assume that sound should always be coming
from each speaker, most of the time there will
be little or no sound in the surround channels.
This is because they are only used when a movie
director or sound mixer specifically places sound
there to create ambience, a special effect or to
continue action from the front of the room to
the rear. When the output levels are properly
set, it is normal for surround speakers to
operate only occasionally. Artificially increasing
the volume to the rear speakers may destroy
the illusion of an enveloping sound field that
duplicates the way you hear sound in a movie
theater or concert hall.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The output level can be

adjusted for each digital and analog surround
mode individually. This allows you to compensate
for level differences between speakers, that may
also vary with the surround mode selected, or to
increase or decrease the level of certain speakers
intentionally, depending on the surround mode
selected. Note that adjustments made for any
surround mode are effective with all inputs asso-
ciated with the same surround mode.

Before beginning the output level adjustment
process, make certain that all speaker connec-
tions have been properly made. The system
volume should be turned down at first. Finally,
make certain that the

Balance Control

set to the center “12 o’clock” position.

Using EzSet

Harman Kardon’s exclusive EzSet remote makes
it possible to quickly and accurately set the
AVR 4550’s output levels without the use of a
sound pressure meter, although manual adjust-
ment is also available. However, for the easiest
set-up, follow these steps while seated in the lis-
tening position that will be used most often:

1. Make certain that all speaker positions have

been properly configured for their “large” or
“small” settings (as outlined above) and turn
off the OSD system if it is in use.

2. Adjust the volume so that it is at

- 1 5

, as

shown in the on-screen display or

Main

Information Display

3. Select any input associated with the surround

mode for which you want to adjust the output
levels. Remember that the same adjustments
must be made with all other surround modes
you´ve in use.

4. Hold the remote in front of you, being sure

not to cover the

EzSet Sensor Microphone

at the top of the remote and aim it at the

AVR 4550, don´t hold it vertically (like a micro-
phone).

5. Press and hold the

SPL Indicator Select

Button

for three seconds. Release it

when the

Program/SPL Indicator

stops

flashing and remains lit. Press the

5 Button

on the remote if your system is

configured for 5.1 operation with standard
speakers or when it is configured for 7.1 oper-
ation but the surround back speakers are not
in use with the surround mode currently
selected. Press the

7 Button

on the

remote only if your system is configured for
6.1/7.1 operation with a full speaker comple-
ment including rear surround speakers and the
surround back speakers are in use with the
surround mode selected. Note that all speak-
ers currently in use always are indicated by the

Speaker/Channel Indicators

in the

front panel display. Once the correct channel
configuration button has been pressed the
test noise will be heard from the front left
speaker.

6. At this point, EzSet will take over, adjusting

the output level of each channel so that when
the process is complete all levels will be equal
and at the set reference point. This process
may take a few minutes, depending on the
extent of adjustment required.

7. During the adjustment, you will see the loca-

tion of the channel position being adjusted
appear in the on-screen display (if connected)
and in the

Main Information Display

alternating with a readout of the output set-
ting, relative to the reference volume level.
As the adjustment proceeds, a few things will
happen simultaneously:

• The channel position being adjusted will flash

in the

Speaker/Channel Input Indicators

. If the test noise is heard from a channel

other than the one shown in the Indicator, the
on-screen display or the front panel display,
there is an error in the speaker connections.
If this is the case, press the

Test Button

TWICE to stop the adjustment. Then, turn the
unit off and verify that all speakers are con-
nected to the proper

Outputs

Afterwards start the adjusting process again
from the beginning.

• As the individual channels are set, the channel

name and the adjustment offset will appear in
the on-screen display (if connected) and the

Main Information Display

. While the

level is changing, the

Program/SPL

Indicator

will change colors to reflect

the output level in relation to the reference.
A red indication shows that the level is too

high, while an orange indication shows that
the level is too low. When the indicator is
green, the level is correct, and the test noise
will move to the next channel.

• While adjustments are being made, the red

LED under the

AVR Selector

will flash.

This is normal, and indicates that EzSet is oper-
ating.

8. After the test noise has circulated once

through each channel, it will send the tone to
each channel once again, to verify the set-
tings.

9. After two complete circulations of the tone,

the levels are set. The

Program/SPL

Indicator

will remain green at each

channel. Upon completion of the second circu-
lation, the

Program/SPL Indicator

will

flash green twice and then go out. The tone
will stop and the AVR 4550 will return to nor-
mal operation.

If you find that the output levels chosen by EzSet
are either much lower or much higher than the
"0dB" reference setting or even at the limits of
the +/-10dB variation range for the output lev-
els, depending on the sensitivity of the speakers
in use and your specific room layout, you may
repeat the procedure. Return to Step 2 and
adjust the master volume either higher or lower
appropriately to the output levels set previously
(e.g. when levels were set to about "–7dB"
reduce the master volume for 7dB), to accommo-
date your particular room layout and your speak-
ers. You may repeat this procedure as many
times as necessary to achieve a desired result. In
order to prevent possible damage to your hear-
ing or your equipment, we emphasize that you
should avoid setting the master volume above
0dB.

NOTE:

The subwoofer output is not adjusted

when the test tone is in use. To adjust the
subwoofer output you must use an external
source, following the instructions on page 34.

Manual Output Level Adjustment

Output levels may also be adjusted manually,
either to set them to a specific level with an SPL
meter, or to make fine tuning adjustments to the
levels obtained using the EzSet remote.

Manual output level adjustment is most easily
done through the

CHANNEL ADJUST

menu (Figure 8). If you are already at the main
menu, press the

Button

until the on-

screen

›

cursor is next to the

CHANNEL

ADJUST

line. If you are not at the main menu,

press the