Additional information
13
131
en
Chapter 13:
Additional information
Speaker Setting Guide
In order to achieve an even better surround effect, it is
important to accurately position the speakers and make
their volume and tone characteristics uniform so as to
finely focus the multi-channel sound.
The three major elements in positioning the speakers are
distance
,
angle
and
orientation
(the direction in which
the speakers are pointing).
Distance
: The distance of all the speakers should be
equal.
Angle
: The speakers should be horizontally symmetrical.
Orientation
: The orientation should be horizontally
symmetrical.
In most homes, however, it is not possible to achieve this
environment. For the distance, on this receiver it is
possible to automatically correct the speaker distance
electrically to a precision of
1
/
2
inch using the Auto
MCACC Setup function (page 46) and to adjust precisely
using the procedure described at Precision Distance
(page 117). For the volume and sound quality as well,
accurate sound field correction using the equalizer and
speaker phase characteristic correction using the Full
Band Phase Control function (page 68) together make it
possible to achieve the ideal listening environment.
Step 1: Speaker layout and distance adjustment
Use speaker stands or the like to make sure the speakers
are steady, and leave at least 10 cm (4 inches) from the
surrounding walls. Position the speakers attentively so
that the speakers on the left and right are at equal angles
from the listening position (center of the adjustments).
(We recommend using cords, etc., when adjusting the
layout.) Ideally all the speakers should be equidistant
from the listening position.
Tip
• If the speakers cannot be set at equal distances (on a
circle), use the Auto MCACC Setup speaker distance
correction and Fine Speaker Distance (or Precision
Distance
– SC-27 only
) functions to make them
equalize the distance artificially.
Step 2: Adjusting the speaker height
Adjust the heights (angles) of the different speakers.
Adjust so that the front speaker units reproducing mid-
and high frequencies is roughly at the height of the ears.
If the center speaker cannot be set at the same height as
the front speakers, adjust its angle of elevation to point it
to the listening position.
Set surround speaker 1 so that it is not under the height
of the ears.
Step 3: Adjusting the speaker orientation
If the left and right speakers are not pointing in the same
direction, the tone will not be the same on the right and
left, and as a result the sound field will not be reproduced
properly. However, if all the speakers are pointed towards
the listening position, the sound field will seem cramped.
Testing by the Pioneer Multi-channel Research Group
has shown that a good sense of sound positioning can be
achieved by pointing all the speakers towards an area
30 cm (12 inches) to 80 cm (31 inches) behind the
listening position (between the surround speakers and
the listening position).
However, the sense of sound positioning can differ
according to the conditions in the room and the speakers
being used. In smaller environments in particular (when
the front speakers are close to the listening position),
with this method the speakers will be pointed too inward.
We suggest you use this example of installation as
reference when trying out different installation methods.
Step 4: Positioning and adjusting the subwoofer
Placing the subwoofer between the center and front
speakers makes even music sources sound more natural
(If there is only one subwoofer, it doesn’t matter if it is
placed on the left or right side). The low bass sound
output from the subwoofer is not directional and there is
no need to adjust the height. Normally the subwoofer is
placed on the floor. Put it in a position at which it will not
cancel out the bass sound output from the other
speakers. Also note that placing it near a wall may result
in sympathetic vibrations with the building that could
excessively amplify the bass sound.
If the subwoofer must be installed near a wall, place it at
an angle so that it is not parallel to the wall surface. This
can help reduce any sympathetic vibrations, but
depending on the shape of the room this could result in
standing waves. However, even if standing waves are
generated, their influence on the sound quality can be
prevented using the Auto MCACC’s standing wave
control function (page 119).
Step 5: Default settings with the Auto MCACC
Setup (auto sound field correction) function
It is more effective to perform the Auto MCACC Setup
(page 46) (and
Precision Distance (SC-27 only)
on
page 117) procedure once the adjustments described
above have been completed.
SC-27_25.book Page 131 Monday, April 6, 2009 7:15 PM