Polk Audio RMDS-1 SET-UP and Calibration, Setting Channel Delay, Setting Channel Balance

SET-UP AND CALIBRATION

After you have connected all speakers and source components you may start using the RMDS-1 without any further set-up procedures and get excellent performance in most homes. One of the many benefits of the Polk RM Digital Solution system is that the electronics and speakers have been perfectly optimized for the highest Dolby Digital performance without the need for complicated set-up and calibration procedures. There are only two adjustments you may want to perform to optimize the system for your room and speaker placement. Those adjustments are “Channel Balance” and “Delay.” The factory presets for these two optional adjustments were selected to provide high quality balanced sound in the vast majority of set-ups. If you are anxious to listen to your new system right now (we understand), skip this section and come back to it later.

Setting Channel Balance

This procedure sets the relative volume of the 5 satellite speakers so that you hear equal sound from every speaker, even if you are sitting closer to one speaker than the others. You may do these adjustments by ear or by using a Sound Pressure Level meter (available at Radio Shack for $40 -$60). Consult the meter’s operating manual for its proper use.

1.Sit in your normal listening position.

2.Turn on the TV that is connected to the video output of the RMDS-1 preamp/processor. Adjust the main volume control on the remote or front panel to a typical listening level. If you are using an SPL meter, set the volume to 70dB.

3.Select a multi-channel source input such as DVD or LD.

4.Select Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic processing by pressing

the “Surround On/Off” button on the remote control or the preamp/processor front panel.

5.Press the “Balance” button on the remote control. You should see this menu on your TV screen:

6.Use the up/down directional buttons on your remote control ▲▼ to move the arrow-shaped cursor h to “TEST TONE.”

7.Use the right directional button on the remote control

h to select Test Tone “ON.”

8.A “shhhhhhhh” noise should now be coming from the Front Left speaker.

9.Use the left/right directional arrows on the remote control gh to raise or lower the tone to a comfortable volume level. The SPL meter should read “0.”

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If at any time during this procedure the test tone comes from the wrong speaker, you have made a speaker connection mistake. Push the “Balance” button on the remote to cancel this procedure. Re-read the “Subwoofer and Speaker Connections” section of this manual and correct the wiring error before returning to this procedure.

10.You will see a small square indicator cursor next to the current speaker. Use the ▲▼ directional buttons on the remote to “pick up” the indicator and move it to the next speaker in the array, “Center.”

11.The test tone should now come from the center speaker.

12.Use the left/right directional arrows on the remote control gh to raise or lower the tone volume of the Center speaker to match the volume of the Left Front speaker.

13.Repeat this procedure for all channels until all 5 speakers sound like they are playing at the same volume level. In most cases the range of needed adjustment should not be more than a few dB up or down.

14.Use the up/down directional buttons on the remote ▲▼ to move the arrow shaped cursor to “EXIT.”

15.The “Save” should be highlighted. If it isn’t, use the left directional arrow to highlight “Save.”

16.Press the Enter button on the remote control to save and exit this menu. The preamp/processor will now go back to normal operation.

17.If you feel like you have made errors and wish to cancel the

adjustments you have just made, highlight “NO SAVE” and exit. The balance settings will return to where they were.

18.To return to the factory preset balance settings, move the cursor to “DEFAULTS,” select “ON” and exit.

Once you have completed this procedure you can leave it alone. You may occasionally encounter a movie or recording that was produced in such a way that it doesn’t sound channel-balanced even though you are certain that your system is properly balanced. Don’t sit there and suffer. Push the balance button to go to the Channel Balance menu and make whatever adjustment you feel will make that recording sound good to you. Remember to “Save” the new settings before exiting.

SETTING CHANNEL DELAY

The time delay circuit ensures that the sounds from all the speakers arrive at your ears properly synchronized. This ensures that the surround sound effects are as natural and enveloping as the recording allows. The RMDS-1 is preset to default values that will yield excellent sound quality in all but the most unusual room and speaker set-up situations. If you want to be sure that your system is optimized for your set up, use the following procedures.

Setting Dolby Digital Delay

The RMDS-1 is factory preset to default values of Center = 3mS and Surround = 15mS in the Dolby Digital mode. These settings will give excellent performance in the vast majority of homes and set ups.

To fine tune these settings, go on to the next page.

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