Harman HK 990 Speaker Setup, Setup Instructions, Audio Mode, Gain, Bass and Treble, Manual Mode

HK 990

Setup Instructions

Audio Mode

The HK 990 can handle analog as well as digital signals. It can process any input in the digital domain to equalize the signal and tailor the sound to the loudspeakers and room acoustics, once either the EzSet‌/‌EQ or the Manual Bass Management has been set up (see below).

You choose the method and the processing according to your preference within the Input Setup menu.

The five Audio modes are as follows:

1.Direct Path: Selection of the Direct Path is an analog-input-only option. It bypasses all digital processing (ADC, DSP and DAC) to reduce the signal path to an absolute minimum, consisting of volume control only. If you select an input to be associated with a digital source, the Direct Path setting is not available, being an analog-only option.

2.DSP Path: Selecting the DSP Path opens access to the tone-control circuits. In this mode, the analog signals are routed to the A/D Converter, Digital Sound Processor and D/A Converter path prior to volume adjustment.

3.EQ1 LF (low-frequency correction): This mode should be selected once the EzSet‌/‌EQ Setup has been carried out (see below). If selected before the EzSet‌/‌EQ Setup, it will simply provide the same result as the DSP Path, being a flat response with access to the tone controls. The EQ1 LF mode is the first preset available after the EzSet‌/‌EQ calibration has been carried out. This preset processes the subwoofer channels only, correcting the acoustics of the room in the low-frequency range while keeping the response curve of the main speakers unchanged.

4.EQ2 LF+MF (low- and mid-frequency correction): This mode should be selected once the EzSet‌/‌EQ Setup has been carried out (see below). If selected before the EzSet‌/‌EQ Setup, it will simply provide the same result as the DSP Path, being a flat response with access to tone controls. The EQ2 LF + MF mode is the second preset available after the EzSet‌/‌EQ calibration has been carried out. This preset is active for the low- and mid-frequency responses of both the main speakers and the subwoofers when it calibrates the system to the room. As a result, both the subwoofer and main speaker response curves are modified to accommodate the system response to the room. The response curve of the main speakers is corrected up to 1kHz and kept unaffected above this frequency, leaving the rest of the audio spectrum unaffected.

5.EQ3 LF + MF + HF (low-, mid- and high-frequency correction): This mode should be selected once the EzSet‌/‌EQ Setup has been carried out (see below). If selected before the EzSet‌/‌EQ Setup, it will simply provide the same result as the DSP Path, being a flat response with access to tone controls. The EQ3 LF + MF + HF mode is the third preset available after the EzSet‌/‌EQ calibration has been carried out. This preset optimizes not only the main speaker and subwoofer responses to accommodate the room acoustics, but also corrects the high-frequency response of the speaker at the listening position by correcting off-axis response.

Please observe that all the five Audio modes described above can be selected independently for all inputs.

Gain

The level of different sources may vary. To avoid annoying level changes when switching between inputs, Gain Adjustment from –6dB to +6dB is an option for each Input. The processor input has a different range (–24dB to +6dB), to accommodate the output levels of most processors.

Bass and Treble

Bass and treble adjustment is accessible only when the Audio mode is not direct (i.e., is set to DSP, EQ 1, EQ 2 or EQ 3). When in this mode, you can adjust the bass and treble from –10 to +10dB below 100Hz and above 10kHz.

Speaker Setup

When pressing the Speaker Setup button, a menu opens to offer a choice between Manual mode or EzSet‌/‌EQ Setup. Below is a description of both options.

Manual Mode

If you know your system and your room well and simply want to manage the low- frequency response of your system without correcting the frequency response of subwoofers and main speakers, select the Manual Mode. This is a basic Bass Manager Setup.

Once Manual Mode has been selected, follow the steps below:

1.“Subwoofer 1 On/Off”: Select “On” if a subwoofer is connected to the Sub 1 output.

2.“Subwoofer 2 On/Off”: Select “On” if a subwoofer is connected to the Sub 2 output.

3.“Crossover Frequency”: If either SUB1 or SUB2 is ON, you can select the crossover frequency, where the main speakers’ lower frequency limit and the subwoofer’s upper frequency limit is placed. The setting goes from 40 to 200Hz in 10Hz steps.

4.Save and Exit: To save the steps 1 to 3, press Enter after each step.

EzSet‌/‌EQ Mode

If you want to benefit from the HK 990’s advanced, automatic frequency correction and setup system, select EzSet‌/‌EQ Mode. The process is described in detail below.

Setup Process

The setup process consists of the following steps:

1.“Subwoofer 1 On/Off”: Select “On” if a subwoofer is connected to the Sub 1 output.

2.“Subwoofer 2 On/Off”: Select “On” if a subwoofer is connected to the Sub 2 output.

3.“Crossover Frequency Automatic/Manual” (only if at least one subwoofer is connected to the HK 990): Select whether you want to set a crossover frequency of your choice manually or let the HK 990’s algorithm measure your main speaker limitations automatically.

•• Manual Mode:

“Crossover Frequency”: Select which crossover frequency you want for the system, between 40 and 200Hz in 10Hz steps. When the frequency is adjusted, you will be asked to follow the same steps as below in the Automatic mode.

•• Automatic Mode:

a)“Connect mic and place it at listening position”: Following this message, connect the supplied measuring microphone to the front-panel jack shared with headphones. Place it in your listening position, at the correct height, then press Enter. In order to read the complete message on the Display, press the > Arrow button on the remote.

b)The system generates two loud, brief frequency sweeps through the speakers. If you are not comfortable with loud noise, use ear plugs or have someone else perform the calibration. The volume of the sweeps is pre-determined. You can control this level by simply adjusting the volume with the Volume button on the front panel or with the Volume buttons on the Remote Control. Please note that if you set the volume too low, the calibration does not function, and setting it too loud may damage your loudspeakers. After calibration is performed, the volume reverts to the level that you used previously.

When the sweeps have been done, you may get an error message “Mic or speaker not detected” in the display. In this case, check the connection to the microphone and/or increase the volume slightly; then press Enter again. If no error is found, the system will bring you to Step 3. If you still get an error message, you must switch off the amplifier to exit the calibration menu.

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