woofer for that mode) and a range of adjust- ments from –9dB to +9dB and MAX (+10dB). A setting of 0dB means that the specified sur- round mode will use the master subwoofer level. Any other setting is an offset to the master setting. For example, an adjustment of -2db for a particular surround mode means that the subwoofer level will be 2 dB quieter than the master subwoofer level when that surround mode is selected. Use these subwoofer level settings to adjust the relative bass output of various surround modes. Changing the mas- ter subwoofer level will increase or decrease the level for all surround modes.
NOTE: Only the current surround mode can be adjusted on this menu. You will need to change surround modes using the front panel or remote buttons to adjust a different mode.
We recommend starting with the settings for all surround modes at the default 0 dB setting during the test tone calibration of the system and for a period of familiarization after that. As you listen to a variety of source material over time, you may notice that certain surround modes consistently produce too much or too little bass from the subwoofer. If so, then use these menu settings to customize each surround mode. In general, if the master subwoofer level is set properly (i.e. not too loud), individual settings for each surround mode should not be necessary.
NOTE: In Dolby Digital and DTS recordings, the LFE channel is used to produce spectacu- lar low bass effects, placing considerable de- mands on your subwoofer system. If you hear distortion or other signs of distress from your subwoofer at loud listening levels, you may consider reducing the subwoofer level for the Dolby Digital and/or DTS surround modes. In other surround modes, there is no LFE chan- nel and the subwoofer will only reproduce redirected bass from the other channels, which is not as likely to tax the subwoofer.
To return to the MAIN menu, press the EN- TER button. Press the MENU/OSD button on the remote to cancel the display and return to normal operation.
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Test Tone
TEST TONE
LEFT:+ 1dB
CENTER:- 1dB
RIGHT:+ 2dB
R SURROUND:+ 5dB
R CTR BACK:+ 2dB
L CTR BACK:+ 2dB
L SURROUND:+ 4dB
SUBWOOFER:+ 9dB
MAIN MENU
This menu uses filtered pink noise test tones to set equal volume levels for all speakers (left front, center, right front, right surround, cen- ter back, left surround, and subwoofer) to en- sure proper surround sound reproduction. Setting the output levels using the test proce- dure provides the most accurate adjustment so that digital surround sound material will be reproduced as it was intended and is a criti- cal step in calibrating the system.
NOTE: If you have configured your system to use two center back speakers, there will be an additional line in the menu, giving you the ability to independently adjust the CENTER BACK 1 and CENTER BACK 2 speakers.
To access this menu and perform the test tone calibration, you can be in any surround mode except BYPASS with any input except the MULTI INPUT. Enter the OSD menu system and select TEST TONE from the MAIN MENU to reach this screen.
When you enter the TEST TONE menu, you will hear a test tone coming from the highlighted speaker. Highlight different speakers by moving the cursor to the desired line using the UP/ DOWN buttons. The test tone will shift accord- ingly to the selected speaker.
Seated in the normal listening location, shift the test tone to the various speakers. Using the one speaker as a reference, listen for any speak- ers that are noticeably louder or quieter. If so, adjust that speaker’s levels up or down (in 1dB increments) using the +/– buttons. Continue switching among the speakers and adjusting until all speakers are the same volume.
To return to the MAIN menu, press the EN- TER button. Press the MENU/OSD button on the remote to cancel the menu display and return to normal operation.
English
Calibration with an SPL meter:
Calibrating the system with an SPL meter, rather than by ear, provides more precise results and improves the system’s performance significantly. Inexpensive SPL meters are widely available and the procedure is quick and easy.
Both Dolby and DTS specify a standard cali- bration level for all theaters to ensure that soundtracks can be played at the volume level intended by the director of the film. This ref- erence level should result in spoken dialog played at a realistic level for normal speech with the loudest peaks in any single channel at about 105 dB. The RSP-1098’s test tones are generated at a precise level (-30dBFs) relative to the loudest possible digitally recorded sound. At the Dolby or DTS reference level, these test tones should produce a 75dB read- ing on an SPL meter.
Set the meter to its 70dB dial setting with SLOW response and C-weighting, held away from your body at your listening position (mount- ing the SPL meter on a camera tripod makes this easier). You can point the SPL meter at each speaker as it is being measured; however, positioning the meter in a fixed position pointing at the ceiling is easier and probably produces more consistent results.
Increase the master volume control on the RSP-1098 until the meter reads 75dB (+5dB on the meter scale) when playing the test tone through one of the front speakers. Then, use the individual channel adjustments on the TEST TONE menu to adjust each of the individual speakers, including the subwoofer, to the same 75dB on the SPL meter.
NOTE: Due to meter weighting curves and room effects, the actual level of the subwoofer may be slightly higher than you measure. To compensate, Dolby suggests setting the sub- woofer several dB lower when calibrating with an SPL meter (i.e. set the subwoofer to read 72 dB on the meter instead of 75 dB). Avoid setting the subwoofer level too high (above 75dB). Exaggerated bass effects come at the expense of proper blending with the main speakers and place tremendous stress on the subwoofer and its amplifier. If you can localize bass from the subwoofer, the sub- woofer level is almost certainly too high. Music can be useful for fine-tuning the subwoofer level as excessive bass is readily apparent. The proper setting will generally work well for music and movie soundtracks.
