Harman-Kardon AVR 225 Configuring the Surround Off Stereo Modes, Output Level Adjustment

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

Configuring the Surround Off (Stereo) Modes

For superior reproduction of two-channel program materials, the AVR 225 offers two Stereo modes: an analog Stereo-Direct mode that bypasses the digital signal-processing circuitry for a completely analog sig- nal path that preserves the purity of the original signal, and a digital mode that is capable of providing bass management for optimal distribution of the low fre- quencies between smaller speakers and a subwoofer.

Stereo-Direct (Bypass) Mode

When the analog Stereo-Direct mode is selected, either from the SURROUND SETUP menu (Figure 3) as described on page 18, or by pressing the Surround Mode Selector 7j until SUR- ROUND OFF – STEREO appears in the Main Information Display S and the Surround Mode Indicator ˜ for Surround Off is lit, the

AVR 225 will pass the analog source material through to the front left and right speakers, bypassing the digital processing circuitry.

In this mode, the front left and right speakers will auto- matically be configured as LARGE, and it will not be possible to configure these speakers as SMALL.

You may configure the subwoofer as ON or OFF either by using the SPEAKER SETUP menu (Figure 5) as described on page 20, or by pressing the Speaker Select Button ı 32 until S-W SPEAKER appears in the Main Information Display S. Press the ⁄/¤ Buttons mq or the Selector Buttons 5 to select the desired option, and the Set Button Ôo to enter the selection.

Stereo-Digital Mode

If your front left and right speakers are not capable of handling a full-range input, you may prefer to take advantage of the AVR 225’s bass management capa- bility. Select Stereo-Digital mode in the SUR- ROUND SETUP menu (Figure 3) as described on page 18, or press the Surround Mode Selector 7

juntil SURROUND OFF – A/D MODE appears in the Main Information Display S and the Surround Mode Indicator ˜ for Surround Off is lit. In this mode, the analog input will be converted to digital and routed to the digital signal processor for bass management processing before it is converted back to analog and outputted to the front left and right speakers.

To configure your front left and right speakers in this mode, follow the procedure described on page 19 for configuring the Left and Right speakers using the SPEAKER SETUP menu (Figure 5), or press

the Speaker Select Button ı 32 until FNT SPKR appears in the Main Information Display S, and then press the Set Button Ôo.

Press the ⁄/¤ Buttons mq or the Selector Buttons 5 until either LARGE or SMALL appears, matching the type of speakers you have at the front-left and -right positions, as described on page 20.

When SMALL is selected, low-frequency sounds will be sent to the subwoofer output only, and the sub- woofer speaker will automatically be configured as ON. If you choose the SMALL configuration and there is no subwoofer connected, you will not hear any low-frequency sounds.

When LARGE is selected, a full-range output will be sent to the front-left and front-right speakers, and NO low-frequency signals will be sent to the sub- woofer output.

Output Level Adjustment

Output level adjustment is a key part of the configura- tion process for any surround sound product. It is par- ticularly important for a Dolby Digital receiver such as the AVR 225, as correct outputs will ensure that you hear soundtracks in their proper place with the proper directionality and intensity.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Listeners are often confused about the operation of the surround channels. While some assume that sound should always be coming from each speaker, most of the time there will be little or no sound in the surround channels. This is because they are only used when a movie director or sound mixer specifically places sound there to create ambi- ence, a special effect or to continue action from the front of the room to the rear. When the output levels are properly set, it is normal for surround speakers to operate only occasionally. Artificially increasing the volume to the rear speakers may destroy the illusion of an enveloping sound field that duplicates the way you hear sound in a movie theater or concert hall.

Before beginning the output level adjustment process, make certain that all speaker connections have been properly made. The system volume should be set to the level that you will use during a typical listening session. Finally, make certain that the Balance Control * is set to the center “12 o’clock” position.

Using EzSet

Harman Kardon’s exclusive EzSet remote makes it pos- sible to quickly and accurately set the AVR 225’s output levels without the use of a sound pressure meter, although manual adjustment is also available. However, for the easiest setup, follow these steps while seated in

the listening position that will be used most often:

1.If you have not done so previously, place the AVR 225 in Dolby Pro Logic II – Movie mode by using the SURROUND SETUP menu (Figure 3) as described on page 18. Output level adjustment using the test tone is not available in the Stereo modes. However, in the Stereo-Digital mode, you may trim the output levels using pro- gram material, as described on page 29.

2.Make certain that all speaker positions have been properly configured for their “large” or “small” set- tings (as outlined on page 19) and turn off the OSD system if it is in use.

3.Adjust the volume so that it is at -15dB, as shown in the on-screen display or Main Infor- mation Display S.

4.Hold the remote in front of you at arm’s length, being sure not to cover the EzSet Sensor Microphone 39 at the top of the remote.

5.Press and hold the SPL Button 36 for three seconds. Release the button when the Program/ SPL Indicator c stops flashing and you hear the test noise from the front left speaker.

6.At this point, the EzSet circuitry will take over, adjusting the output level of each channel so that when the process is complete all levels will be equal and at the set reference point. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the extent of adjustment required.

7.During the adjustment process, you will see the location of the channel position being adjusted appear in both the on-screen display (if connected) and the Main Information Display S, alternating with a readout of the output setting, relative to the reference volume level. As the adjustment proceeds, a few things will happen simultaneously:

•The channel position being adjusted will flash in the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators L. If the test noise is heard from a channel other than the one shown in the indicator, there is an error in the speaker connections. If this is the case, press the Test Button h TWICE to stop the adjustment. Then, turn the unit off and verify that all speakers are connected to the proper Outputs ›fi.

•As each channel is set, the channel name and the adjustment offset will appear in the on- screen display (if connected) and the Main Information Display S. While the level is changing, the Program/SPL Indicator c will change colors to reflect the output level in rela-

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION 21