AUTO SOUND SETUP
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The AUTO SOUND SETUP feature of the Cinema 11a will automatically measure the sound
characteristics of the main listening room where you have your home cinema system installed. It
has a seven-band auto sensing function that will try to optimize the sound quality and the overall
room frequency response for low bass, mid bass, mid range and high frequencies while you are
using it in the AUTO mode.
The room equalization (EQ) technology adopted by the Cinema 11a provides a superb listening
experience when it is utilized for music playback. We defeat the auto EQ function during movie
playback with Dolby Digital or DTS movie soundtracks. The room EQ function works for analog
signals converted to digital pulse code modulation (PCM) for surround sound listening or for PCM
signals from a CD or DVD player. This could be used as well for the AM/FM tuner signals if you
convert them to digital signals in the SETUP function by choosing DSP instead of bypass for the
Tuner. The measurement results are analyzed using an original algorithm and environmental
settings are made to improve the sound characteristics of the system in the listening area.
The room EQ can be used to average the overall room response by moving the microphone to as
many as six different physical locations in the room. For the averaging to take place you will need
to run the whole process again for each new placement of the microphone.
IMPORTANT NOTES
:
The microphone is designed to be placed flat on a surface that is the same size
or
smaller than the microphone base, with the mesh surface pointed UP at the ceiling.
The speakers should not have any obstruction between them and the microphone for
proper operation during auto set up. Setting this on a couch back is not a correct way
to do this. The microphone is designed to be pointed at the ceiling. It should not be
pointed at each speaker since this will make it read the room incorrectly.
The auto-setup feature and room EQ available within the Cinema 11a was
not designed by Cary Audio Design. We use the standard auto-setup and
room EQ feature that comes installed on the Cirrus Logic chipset used
within the Cinema 11a. We have found in our testing that the results
provided from this stock system may not always be accurate. In light of
this,
we
always recommend that you perform a manual setup using and SPL
meter and external test tones to get the most accurate settings possible for
your Cinema 11a within your specific room.
To set up the speaker system manually without using the AUTO SETUP feature, see the
MANUAL SETUP instructions in the next section.
MANUAL SETUP is the factory
recommended procedure to obtain the most accurate results
. AUTO SETUP may yield
superior results to using
only
your ears to balance the system. However, MANUAL SETUP will
yield even
more precise
set-up of the system if done properly with a sound pressure level meter
and a tape measure for measuring speaker distances and properly setting the level and distance
settings within the setup menu.
HOW TO PERFORM AUTO SOUND SETUP
During measurement, the VFD front panel display will show the current activity that is happening
within the Cinema 11a. The power amplifier needs to be turned on, naturally, for all of the
automatic settings to take place since the microphone is listening for the speakers so that it can
make the needed changes required by auto setup.
