Harman-Kardon AVR 8500 owner manual System Configuration, Surround, Subwoofer

System Configuration

5. Press the ‹/› Buttons E on the remote to select the option that best describes your center speaker, based on the speaker definitions shown below.

When SMALLis selected, low-frequency center channel sounds will be sent to the Fronts, if they are set to LARGEand Sub is turned off (see below). When Sub is on, low frequency cen- ter channel sounds will be sent to the subwoofer only.

When LARGEis selected, a full-range output will be sent to the center speaker output, and NO center channel signal will be sent to the sub- woofer output (except when the Pro Logic II Music mode is in use).

NOTE: If you choose Logic 7 as the surround mode for the particular input source for which you are configuring your speakers, the AVR will not make the LARGE option available for the center speaker. This is due to the requirements of Logic 7 processing, and does not indicate a problem with your receiver.

When NONEis selected, no signals will be sent to the center-channel output. The receiver will operate in a “phantom” center channel mode. Center-channel information will be sent to the left and right front channel outputs and the cen- ter channel bass will be sent to the subwoofer output when SUBL/R+LFEis selected in the SUBWOOFERline in this menu (see below). This mode is needed if no Center speak- er is used. Note that when the Logic 7 Cinema surround mode is selected a Center speaker must be used, the Logic 7 modes Music and Enhance work well without a Center too.

6.When you have completed your selection for the center channel, press the ¤ Button D on the remote to move the cursor to

SURROUND.

7. Press the ‹/› Buttons E on the remote to select the option that best describes the sur- round speakers in your system based on the speaker definitions shown above.

When SMALLis selected, with all digital sur- round modes low-frequency surround channel sounds will be sent to the Fronts when Sub is turned off or to the subwoofer output when Sub is on. With any analog surround mode the rear bass feed depends on the mode selected and the setting of the Sub and front speakers.

When LARGE is selected, a full-range output will be sent to the surround channel outputs (with all analog and digital surround modes), and, except with Hall and Theater modes, NO surround channel bass will be sent to the sub- woofer output.

When NONEis selected, surround-sound infor- mation will be split between the front left and front right outputs. For optimal performance when no surround speakers are in use, the Dolby 3 Stereo mode should be used.

When you are using surround back speakers with your system, press the ¤ Button Don the remote to move the cursor to SURR BACKand set the speaker type for the speak- ers connected to the Surround Back Preamp Outputs through an optional, external power amplifier. The choices and procedure for configuring these speakers are identical to those shown above for the main surround speakers.

8.When you have completed your selection for the surround channels, press the ¤ Button D on the remote to move the cursor to

SUBWOOFER.

9. Press the ‹/› Buttons E on the remote to select the option that best describes your system.

The choices available for the subwoofer position will depend on the settings for the other speak- ers, particularly the front left/right positions.

If the front left/right speakers are set to SMALL, the subwoofer will automatically be set to SUB, which is the “on” position.

If the front left/right speakers are set to LARGE, three options are available:

• If no subwoofer is connected to the AVR, press the ‹/› Buttons E on the remote so that NONEappears in the on-screen menu. When this option is selected, all bass informa- tion will be routed to the front left/right “main” speakers.

•If a subwoofer is connected to the AVR, you have the option to have the front left/right “main” speakers reproduce bass frequencies at all times, and have the subwoofer operate only when the AVR is being used with a digital source that contains a dedicated Low Frequency Effects, or LFE soundtrack. This allows you to use both your main and sub- woofer speakers to take advantage of the spe- cial bass created for certain movies. To select that option press the ‹/› Buttons E

on the remote so that SUB(LFE) appears in the on-screen menu.

•If a subwoofer is connected and you wish to use it for bass reproduction in conjunction with the main front left/right speakers, regard- less of the type of program source or Surround mode you are listening to, press the ‹/›

Buttons E on the remote so that SUB L/R+LFE appears in the on- screen menu. When this option is selected, a full-range signal will be sent to the front left/right “main” speakers, and also to the LFE soundtrack. The subwoofer will receive the front left and right bass frequencies under the crossover frequency selected in the next option setting on this menu, as described below.

10.When you have completed your selection for the subwoofer, press the ¤ Button Don the remote to change the cursor to X-OVER FREQ. The crossover setting may only be adjusted using the on-screen display system.

At this line, you will select the frequency under which bass information is directed to the Subwoofer Output ∞ and above which the remaining signal is directed to all speakers that are set to SMALL. When making these selec- tions, choose the crossover frequency that is closest to the lower frequency limit of your smallest speaker in use. This figure is normally printed in the owner’s manual or data sheet for the speakers; or consult the speaker’s manufac- turer.

•When you use large full range speakers for all channels, able to reproduce bass below 40Hz with sufficient power, choose 40Hz, and LARGEfor all speakers. In this case the sub- woofer will support the front speakers with all frequencies below 40Hz.

•When any of your speakers has been set to SMALL, the crossover frequencies 40Hz or 60Hz should be selected to match typical mid- size speakers, that cannot handle lower fre- quencies with sufficient level. Or select the fre- quencies 80 Hz or 100 Hz to match the typical crossover points of the smaller speakers used in satellite speaker systems. Choose the option that is closest to your speakers’ design. If you are using THX certified speakers throughout your system, the crossover should be set to 80Hz, all speakers set to SMALLand the Subwoofer(s) must be connected.

11.When the crossover frequency selection has been made, press the ¤ Button Dand then the Set Button Fto return to the Main menu.

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION 23