Pioneer VSX-9300TX manual Professional Acoustic Calibration, How to interpret the graphical output

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11Advanced setup

Professional Acoustic Calibration

This setup minimizes the unwanted effects of room reverberation by calibrating your system based on the direct sound coming from the speakers. It can also provide you with a graphical output of the frequency response of your room.

Note

Before setting up with Professional Acoustic Calibration, you should finish calibrating using the Auto Surround Setup on page 12.

How to use Professional Acoustic Calibration

If you find that lower frequencies seem overly reverberant in your listening room (i.e. it sounds ‘boomy’), or that different channels seem to exhibit different reverb characteristics, use the Auto Pro setup to calibrate the room automatically. This should provide a more balanced calibration than simply using the standard Acoustic Calibration EQ.

If you still aren’t satisfied with the results, the manual Advanced EQ Setup allows you to customize your system calibration with the help of a graphical output that can be displayed on-screen, or using a computer (with software available from Pioneer—see Connecting a PC for Advanced MCACC output on page 73 for more on this).

How to interpret the graphical output

The graph shows decibels on the vertical axis and time (in milliseconds) on the horizontal axis. A straight line indicates a flat-response room (no reverb), whereas a sloping line indicates the presence of reverberation when outputting test tones. The sloping line will eventually flatten out when the reverberant sound stabilizes (this usually takes about 100ms or so).

By analyzing the graph, you should be able to see how your room is responding to certain frequencies. Differences in channel level and speaker distance are taken into account automatically (compensation is provided for comparison purposes), but the frequency measurements are always shown without the equalization performed by this receiver.

Note that due to an effect known as ‘group delay’, lower frequencies will take longer to be generated than higher frequencies (this is most obvious when comparing the frequencies at 0ms). This initial slope is not a problem (i.e. excessive reverb) with your listening room.

Setting Professional Acoustic Calibration according to your room characteristics

Using the manual setup, you can set the time period at which the frequency response is analyzed for calibration. You can pinpoint the time that is best for calibration of the system for your particular room characteristics.

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The graph below shows the difference between standard acoustic calibration and professional calibration (the gray circles represent the point at which the microphone captures the sound for frequency analysis).

Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test tone

 

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro

Standard Acoustic Cal.

 

 

calibration range

EQ calibration range

 

 

 

 

Time

0

80

160

(in msec.)

 

As soon as audio is output from your speaker system, it is influenced by room characteristics, such as walls, furniture, and the dimensions of the room. The sooner the frequency analysis, the less it is influenced by the room. We recommend an earlier time setting of 20–40ms to compensate for two major factors that will influence the sound of most rooms:

Reverberance of high vs. low frequencies – Depending on your room, you may find that lower frequencies seem overly reverberant compared to higher frequencies (i.e. your room sounds ‘boomy’). This may result in a skewed frequency analysis if the measurement is done too late.

Level

 

 

Low

 

 

frequencies

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

 

 

frequencies

 

 

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro

Standard Acoustic Cal.

 

 

 

 

calibration range

EQ calibration range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

0

80

160

 

(in msec.)

 

 

Reverb characteristics for different channels – Reverb characteristics can be somewhat different for each channel. Since this difference increases as the sound is influenced by the various room characteristics, it is often better to capture a frequency analysis early on for smoother mixing of channel frequencies/sounds.

Level

 

 

Left

 

 

surround

 

 

 

 

Right

 

 

 

 

Surround

 

 

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro

Standard Acoustic Cal.

 

 

 

 

calibration range

EQ calibration range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

0

80

160

 

(in msec.)

 

 

If your room isn’t affected by the factors above, it is often not necessary to make a 20–40ms setting. Later time settings may provide a more detailed sound experience with your speaker system. It is best to try and see what works best for your particular room.

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Contents VSX-9300TX Information to User Risk of Electric Shock Do not OpenImportant Safety Instructions Contents Using other functions Advanced setupControlling other equipment Other connectionsFeatures Checking the supplied accessoriesBefore you start Before you start ChapterUsing the remote control Installing the receiverBefore you start Ventilation Opening the front panelOperating range of the remote control Remote control battery indicatorBefore you start Setting up for Surround Sound Minute guideMinute guide Chapter Introduction to home theater02 5 minute guide Connect your speakersUse the on-screen Auto Surround setup to set up your system Minute guideLarge ‘Surround Setup’ should be highlighted. Press Enter‘SurrBack System’ should be highlighted. Press ‘Auto Setting’ should be highlighted. Press Make sure ‘Normal System’ is selected, then select ‘Exit’Follow the instructions on-screen Checking the settings on your DVD or other player Other problems when using the Auto Surround SetupPlaying a source Connecting your equipment Connecting your equipment ChapterRear panel Connecting your equipment About the video converterConnecting your equipment About cable types When making cable connectionsAnalog audio cables Digital audio cablesConnecting your equipment Connecting your TV Connecting your equipment Connecting a DVD player DVD playerConnecting the multichannel analog outputs VSX-9300TXSTB Connecting your equipment Connecting a VCR or DVD recorder Connecting your equipment Connecting other video sources Connecting your equipment Using the component video jacks DVD playerConnecting your equipment Connecting digital audio sources Connecting your equipment Connecting analog audio sources Tape deck, etcPortable DVD player, etc Connecting your equipment Installing your speaker system Connecting the speakers Bare wire connectionsPlacing the speakers Banana plug connectionsConnecting your equipment Connecting antennas FM wire antennaConnecting external antennas AM loop antennaOutdoor antenna Indoor antenna Vinyl-coated wire 15-18 ft Plugging in the receiverAbout the AC outlet Controls and displays Controls and displays ChapterSTANDBY/ON StereoControls and displays Controls and displays Display TunedControls and displays Remote control Remote Setup AudioTV Input Movie / MusicListening to your system Listening to your system ChapterAuto playback Listening in surround sound Listening to your system Movie listening modesBasic modes Advanced effect modesDolby Pro Logic IIx Music settings Music listening modesPro Logic IIx Music See above Listening with headphones Adjusting the advanced effect levelNeo6 Music settings Listening in stereoListening with Acoustic Calibration Listening to your system Selecting the input signal type Listening to your system Using the surround back channel Press SB CH Mode repeatedly to cycle throughSurround back channel options Using the audio scaler for Hi-bit and Hi-sampling If you’re using the remote, press ReceiverPress HI-BIT HI-BIT/HI-SAMPLING on the front PanelUsing the tone control Switching the tone control on or offAdjusting the bass and treble Multi CHRelease the button when you see the setting you want Reducing noise during playbackListening to dual mono soundtracks Using the tuner Using the tuner ChapterTuning directly to a station Finding a stationUsing the tuner MPX modeListening to memorized station presets Naming station presetsAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz Surround Setup menu Surround Setup menu ChapterMaking receiver settings from the Surround Setup menu Select the setting you want to adjustSurround Setup menu Surround back speaker settingNormal surround setting Speaker SettingSelect ‘Channel Level’ from the Normal setup menu Channel LevelSelect ‘Speaker Distance’ from the Normal setup menu Speaker DistanceUsing the remote control with other components Recalling preset codesControlling other equipment Controlling other equipment ChapterProgramming signals from other remote controls Controlling other equipmentControlling other equipment Controls for TVs MenuGuide DiscControlling other equipment Controls for other components SubtitleDisp ModeTOP ExitControlling other equipment Direct function Multi Operation and System OffProgramming a multi-operation or a shutdown sequence Repeat steps 2-4 for as many components as you wantUsing multi operations To add or change a command select ‘Change’ and press EnterPress Multi Operation Switching components on and off using the 12 volt trigger Using System offOperating other Pioneer components with this unit’s sensor Using other functions Using other functions ChapterAdjusting the delay of a soundtrack Making an audio or a video recordingDimming the display Using other functions Switching the speaker impedance Advanced remote control featuresEditing remote control display names Press the Multi Control button for the componentUsing other functions Adjusting the remote control backlightClearing remote control settings Using other functions Resetting the system Second Zone speaker B setup Switching the speaker systemOther connections Other connections ChapterBi-wiring your speakers Other connections Bi-amping your front speakersBasic multi-room setup SurrBack System multi-room setupOther connections Multi-room listening Making multi-room connectionsUsing the multi-room controls Use the Master Volume dial to adjust the volumeOther connections Press ControlCnnecting additional amplifiers Other connectionsOther connections Using the USB interface Press Input on the remote control repeatedly to select USBUSB terminal on the rear panel of this receiver Other connections Connecting a PC for Advanced Mcacc output Advanced Mcacc output using your PCSelect ‘PC Output’ and press Enter Advanced setup Advanced setup ChapterSystem Setup menu Select the setting you want to adjust then pressAdvanced setup THX Cinema SetupInput Assign menu Assigning the digital inputsFunction Rename Assigning the component video inputsPHONO/LINE Setup Select ‘PHONO/LINE Setup’ from the System Setup menuWhen you’re finished, select ‘Exit’ Select either Phono or LineMulti-Room and IR receiver setup Volt TriggerAdvanced setup Expert setup menu Select ‘Expert’ then press EnterSelect ‘Crossover Network’ from the Expert setup menu Select ‘Fine Channel Level’ from the Expert setup menuAdjust the level of the left channel Crossover NetworkFine Channel Delay Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ automaticallyAcoustic Calibration EQ Setting the Acoustic Calibration EQ manually Select CUSTOM1 Adjust or CUSTOM2 AdjustSelect the channels you want and adjust to your liking Front AlignCopying your Acoustic Calibration EQ settings Checking your Acoustic Calibration EQ settingsSelect ‘DATA COPY’ then press Enter Select ‘DATA CHECK’ then press EnterHow to use Professional Acoustic Calibration How to interpret the graphical outputProfessional Acoustic Calibration Using Professional Acoustic Calibration Select a setup optionSelect ‘Professional’ If you selected ‘Auto Pro.’, select ‘Start’ and pressSelect ‘Bass Peak Level’ from the Expert setup menu Bass Peak LevelSelect ‘D-Range Control’ from the Expert setup menu Choose the setting that you wantDynamic Range Control Troubleshooting PowerAdditional information Additional information ChapterAdditional information No soundOther audio problems Symptom CauseVideo Audio sources onSettings DisplayRemote control USB interfaceAdditional information Additional information Surround sound formats DolbyAdditional information About THX Additional information Preset code brands DVDCD-R DVRAdditional information Specifications Maintenance of external surfacesTo establish a safe level Once you have established a comfortable sound levelDecibel Level Example Pioneer Corporation