07The System Setup menu

Use / to select the channel.

Use / to select the frequency and / to boost or cut the EQ. When you’re finished, go back to the top of the screen and use / to select the next channel.

The OVER! indicator shows in the display if the frequency adjustment is too drastic and might distort. If this happens, bring the level down until OVER! disappears from the display.

Tip

Changing the frequency curve of one channel too drastically will affect the overall balance. If the speaker balance seems uneven, you can raise or

lower channel levels using test tones with the TRIM feature. Use / to select TRIM, then use / to raise or lower the channel level for the current speaker.

3 When you’re finished, press RETURN.

You will return to the Manual MCACC setup menu.

Acoustic Calibration EQ Professional

This setup minimizes the unwanted effects of room reverberation by allowing you to calibrate your system based on the direct sound coming from the speakers. It can also provide you with a graphical output of the

By analyzing the graph, you should be able to see how your room is responding to certain frequencies. Differences in channel level and speaker distance are taken into account automatically (compensation is provided for comparison purposes), and the frequency measurements can be examined both with and without

the equalization performed by this receiver.2

Setting Acoustic Calibration EQ Professional according to your room characteristics

Using the manual setup, you can set the time period at which the frequency response is analyzed, pinpointing the time that is best for system calibration with your particular room characteristics.

The graph below shows the difference between conventional acoustic calibration and professional calibration (the gray circle indicates the point where the microphone captures sound during frequency analysis).

Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Test tone

 

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro.

Conventional MCACC

 

calibration range

 

EQ calibration range

 

 

 

 

 

Time

0

80

160

(in msec)

frequency response of your room.1

How to use Acoustic Calibration EQ Professional

If you find that lower frequencies seem overly reverberant in your listening room (i.e. it sounds ‘boomy’), or that different channels seem to exhibit different reverb characteristics, select EQ Pro. & S-Wave(or ALL) for the Custom Menu setting in Automatic MCACC (Expert) on page 38 to calibrate the room automatically. This should provide a balanced calibration that suits the characteristics of your listening room.

If you still aren’t satisfied with the results, the manual Advanced EQ setup (below) provides a more customized calibration of your system using the direct sound of the speakers. This is done with the help of a graphical output that can be displayed on-screen.

How to interpret the graphical output

The graph shows decibels on the vertical axis and time (in milliseconds) on the horizontal axis. A straight line indicates a flat-response room (no reverb), whereas a sloping line indicates the presence of reverberation when outputting test tones. The sloping line will eventually flatten out when the reverberant sound stabilizes (this usually takes about 100 ms or so).

As soon as audio is output from your speaker system, it is influenced by room characteristics, such as walls, furniture, and the dimensions of the room. The sooner the frequency analysis, the less it is influenced by the room. We recommend an earlier time setting of 30~50ms to compensate for two major factors that will influence the sound of most rooms:

Reverberance of high vs. low frequencies – Depending on your room, you may find that lower frequencies seem overly reverberant compared to higher frequencies (i.e. your room sounds ‘boomy’). This may result in a skewed frequency analysis if the measurement is done too late.

Level

 

Low

 

frequencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

 

 

frequencies

 

 

Acoustic Cal. EQ Pro.

ConventionalMCACC

 

 

calibration range

 

 

EQ calibration range

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time

0

80

160

(in msec)

Note

1This system allows you to customize your system calibration with the help of a graphical output that can be displayed on-screen.

2Note that due to an effect known as ‘group delay’, lower frequencies will take longer to be generated than higher frequencies (this is most obvious when comparing the frequencies at 0 ms). This initial slope is not a problem (i.e. excessive reverb) with your listening room.

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Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K manual How to use Acoustic Calibration EQ Professional, How to interpret the graphical output

VSX-1018AH-K specifications

The Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K is a powerful home theater receiver that embodies a blend of quality, features, and innovative technology, making it a standout choice for audio enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. This 7.1-channel receiver boasts a robust output of 110 watts per channel, designed to deliver immersive audio across various environments.

One of the key features of the VSX-1018AH-K is its support for advanced audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. These formats provide a lossless soundtrack experience, ensuring that audio reproduction remains faithful to the original source. This receiver is also equipped with Pioneer’s proprietary MCACC (Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration System), which allows users to optimize sound settings based on their specific room acoustics. By analyzing and adjusting the sound fields, MCACC ensures that every listener enjoys an enhanced audio experience.

In terms of connectivity, the VSX-1018AH-K excels with its array of inputs and outputs. It includes multiple HDMI inputs, allowing users to seamlessly connect various devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. Additionally, it supports HDMI version 1.3, which means it can handle high-definition video signals and deep color technology, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

For those who appreciate versatility, this receiver also features built-in support for both wireless and wired network audio streaming. Users can connect to their home network to enjoy music stored on their devices or access popular streaming services. The USB port allows for easy connection of flash drives, enabling playback of high-resolution audio files.

Moreover, the receiver is equipped with a user-friendly interface and an intuitive remote control, making it easy to navigate through various settings and options. The graphical user interface is designed for simplicity, enabling users to customize preferences without hassle.

The Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K not only focuses on sound but also on video quality, thanks to its upscale capabilities that can convert standard-definition video to high-definition, ensuring that all media looks great on HD displays. Overall, the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K represents a comprehensive solution for anyone looking to enhance their home theater system, merging advanced technology with user-friendly features aimed at delivering an unparalleled home entertainment experience.