Harman-Kardon AVR 500 System Configuration, Speaker Selection and Placement, Speaker Placement

System Configuration

When all audio, video and system connections have been made, there are a few configuration adjustments that must be made. A few minutes spent to correctly configure and calibrate the unit will greatly add to your listening experience.

Speaker Selection and Placement

The placement of speakers in a multichannel home-theater system can have a noticeable impact on the quality of sound reproduced.

No matter which type or brand of speakers is used, the same model or brand of speaker should be used for the front-left, center and front-right speakers. This creates a seamless front soundstage and eliminates the possibility of distracting sonic disturbances that occur when a sound moves across mismatched front-channel speakers.

Speaker Placement

Depending on the type of center-channel speaker in use and your viewing device, place the center speaker either directly above or below your TV, or in the center behind a perfo- rated front-projection screen.

Once the center-channel speaker is installed, position the left-front and right-front speakers so that they are as far away from one another as the center-channel speaker is from the pre- ferred listening position. Ideally, the front-channel speakers should be placed so that their tweeters are no more than 24" above or below the tweeter in the center-channel speaker.

Depending on the specifics of your room acoustics and the type of speakers in use, you may find that imaging is improved by moving the front-left and front-right speakers slightly forward of the center-channel speaker. If possi- ble, adjust all front loudspeakers so that they are aimed at ear height when you are seated in the listening position.

Using these guidelines, you’ll find that it takes some experimentation to find the correct loca- tion for the front speakers in your particular installation. Don’t be afraid to move things around until the system sounds correct. Optimize your speakers so that audio transitions across the front of the room sound smooth, and that sounds from all speakers appear to arrive at the listening position at the same time (without delay from the center speaker compared to the left and right speakers.)

Surround speakers should be placed on the side walls of the room, at or slightly behind the listening position. The center of the speaker should face into the room. The speakers should be located so that the bottom of the cabinet is at least two feet higher than the listeners’ ears when the listeners are seated in the desired area.

If side-wall mounting is not practical, the speakers may be placed on a rear wall, behind the listening position. Again, they should be located so that the bottom of the cabinet is at least two feet higher than the listeners’ ears. The speakers should be no more than six feet behind the rear of the seating area.

Subwoofers produce nondirectional sound, so they may be placed almost anywhere in a room. Actual placement should be based on room size and shape and the type of subwoofer used. One method of finding the optimal loca- tion for a subwoofer is to begin by placing it in the front of the room, about six inches from a wall, or near the front corner of the room. Another method is to temporarily place the subwoofer in the spot where you will normally sit, and then walk around the room until you find a spot where the subwoofer sounds best. Place the subwoofer in that spot. You should also follow the instructions of the subwoofer’s manufacturer, or you may wish to experiment with the best location for a subwoofer in your listening room.

Center Front Speaker

No more than 24"

Left Front	Right Front
Speaker	Speaker

A)Front Channel Speaker Installation with

Direct-View TV Sets or Rear-Screen Projectors

		TV or Projection Screen
	Left Front	Center Front	Right Front
		Speaker
	Speaker		Speaker
No more than 6 feet	when rear-mounted speakers are used	Optional Rear-Wall Mounting

B)The distance between the left and right speakers should be equal to the distance from the seating position to the viewing screen. You may also experiment with plac- ing the left and right speakers slightly for- ward of the center speaker.

At least 6 inches from ceiling

At least 2 feet

15SYSTEM CONFIGURATION