Onkyo HT-RC160 instruction manual About Home Theater, Enjoying Home Theater

About Home Theater

Enjoying Home Theater

Thanks to the AV receiver’s superb capabilities, you can enjoy surround sound with a real sense of movement in your own home—just like being in a movie theater or concert hall. With DVDs you can enjoy DTS and Dolby Digital. With analog or digital TV, you can enjoy Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6, or Onkyo’s original DSP listening modes.

Front left and right speakers

These output the overall sound. Their role in a home theater is to provide a solid anchor for the sound image. They should be positioned facing the listener at about ear level, and equidistant from the TV. Angle them inward so as to create a triangle, with the listener at the apex.

Front high left and right speakers

These speakers are necessary to enjoy Dolby Pro Logic IIz Height, etc. They enhance significantly the spatial experience.

Position them at least 3.3 feet (100 cm) above the front left and right speakers (and as high as possible). Although it is acceptable to place left and right at an angle slightly wider than the front left and right speakers. Ideally they should be positioned directly above the front left and right speakers. Front high and surround back speakers produce no sound at the same time.

Center speaker

This speaker enhances the front left and right speakers, making sound movements dis- tinct and providing a full sound image. In movies it’s used mainly for dialog.

Position it close to your TV fac- ing forward at about ear level, or at the same height as the front left and right speakers.

Surround back left and right speakers

These speakers are necessary to enjoy Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Matrix, DTS-ES Discrete, etc. They enhance the realism of surround sound and improve sound localiza- tion behind the listener. Position them behind the listener about 2–

3 feet (60–100 cm) above ear level. Front high and surround back speakers produce no sound at the same time.

Subwoofer

The subwoofer handles the bass sounds of the LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) channel. The volume and quality of the bass output from your subwoofer will depend on its position, the shape of your listening room, and your listening posi- tion. In general, a good bass sound can be obtained by installing the subwoofer in a front corner, or at one-third the width of the wall, as shown.

You can connect the powered subwoofer with two SUBWOOFER PREOUT jacks respectively.

Tip: To find the best position for your sub- woofer, while playing a movie or some music with good bass, experiment by placing your subwoofer at various posi- tions within the room, and choose the one that provides the most satisfying results.

1/3 of wall position

Surround left and right speakers

These speakers are used for precise sound positioning and to add realistic ambience.

Position them at the sides of the listener, or slightly behind, about 2–3 feet (60–100 cm) above ear level. Ideally they should be equidistant from the listener.

Corner position

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