Harman-Kardon AVR 235 Speaker Selection, Speaker Placement, Installation and Connections

Installation and Connections

Speaker Selection

No matter which type or brand of speakers is used, the same model or brand of speaker should be used for the front-left, center and front-right speakers. This creates a seamless front soundstage and eliminates the possibility of distracting sonic disturbances that occur when a sound moves across mismatched front-channel speakers.

Speaker Placement

The placement of speakers in a multichannel home-theater system can have a noticeable impact on the quality of sound reproduced.

Depending on the type of center-channel speaker in use and your viewing device, place the center speaker either directly above or below your TV, or in the center behind a perforated front-projection screen.

Once the center-channel speaker is installed, position the left-front and right-front speakers so that they are as far away from one another as the center-channel speaker is from the preferred listening position. Ideally, the front-channel speakers should be placed so that their tweeters are no more than 60cm above or below the tweeter in the center-channel speaker.

They should also be at least 0.5 meter from your TV set unless the speakers are magnetically shielded to avoid colourings on the TV screen. Note that most speakers are not shielded, even with complete surround sets only the Center speaker may be.

Depending on the specifics of your room acoustics and the type of speakers in use, you may find that imaging is improved by moving the front-left and front-right speakers slightly forward of the center-channel speaker. If possible, adjust all front loudspeakers so that they are aimed at ear height when you are seated in the listening position.

Using these guidelines, you’ll find that it takes some experimentation to find the correct location for the front speakers in your particular installation. Don’t be afraid to move things around until the system sounds correct. Optimize your speakers so that audio transitions across the front of the room sound smooth.

When the AVR is used in 5.1-channel operation, the preferred location for surround speakers is on the side walls of the room, at or slightly behind the listening position. In a 7.1-channel system, both side surround and back surround speakers are required. The center of the speaker should face you (see below).

As with the side speakers, rear surround speakers should be located so that the bottom of the cabinet is at least two feet higher than the listeners’ ears. The speakers should be no more than six feet behind the rear of the seating area.

If dipole-type speakers are used on either the side or rear walls of the room, please note that if there are arrows on the speakers they should face the front of the room for the side speakers, or toward the center of the wall for the rear speakers.

It is appropriate to configure the AVR 235 for either 5.1- or 7.1-channel operation, but not for

6.1channels. When 6.1-channel program material or a 6.1-channel processing mode is in use, material for the surround back channel will be outputted simultaneously through both the Surround Back Left and Right Speaker Outputs . Connecting only one loudspeaker to these speaker terminals will not only deprive you of the benefits of 7.1-channel surround modes, such as Logic 7, but will also interfere with the functioning of EzSet speaker calibration, as described on page 23. It may also put undesirable strain on the surround back amplifier circuits and power supplies.

Subwoofers produce largely nondirectional sound, so they may be placed almost anywhere in a room. Actual placement should be based on room size and shape and the type of subwoofer used. One method of finding the optimal location for a subwoofer is to begin by placing it in the front of the room, about 15cm from a wall, or near the front corner of the room. Another method is to temporarily place the subwoofer in the spot where you will normally sit, and then walk around the room until you find a spot where the subwoofer sounds best. Place the subwoofer in that spot. You should also follow the instructions of the subwoofer’s manufacturer, or you may wish to experiment with the best location for a subwoofer in your listening room.

Center Front Speaker

No more than 60cm

Left Front	Right Front
Speaker	Speaker

A)Front Channel Speaker Installation with Direct-View TV Sets or Rear-Screen Projectors

		TV or Projection Screen
	Left Front	Center Front	Right Front
		Speaker
	Speaker		Speaker
No more than 6 feet	when rear-mounted speakers are used	Rear-Wall Mounting
	7.1		7.1

B)Rear-wall speaker mounting using the positions marked “7.1” is an alternate location for 5.1 systems, and it should also be used for full 7.1 systems when an optional, external power amplifier is used to power the rear speakers.

At least 15 cm from celling

At least 60 cm

INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS 15