User manual PIONEER A-X50

[. . . ] When the final step is completed, you will have produced a high-precision sound field. Now sit back and enjoy the superb sense of live presence capable with multichannel audio. This speaker calibration guide is designed to help the user manually perform fine adjustments of speaker position while listening to recorded signals, so as produce even higher sound quality than that automatically optimized with the MCACC system. Note that some settings may be difficult to achieve due to differences in shape and furnishings of the listening room, and subjective differences in the perception of sound. Speaker positions based on recommendations of International Telecommunication Union­Radiocommunication sector (ITU-R). Fine Adjustment of Speaker Distance If surround back speakers are connected, set the surround back speaker setting to "none" only while performing this adjustment. Connect the receiver and your DVD player via a digital connection, and set the receiver's play mode to the pure decode mode, that is, STANDARD mode on this receiver. [. . . ] Also note that the setting of sound image orientation is impaired if each speaker's output level and distance are not correct; as a result, be sure to set these items accurately before attempting to Fig. These instructions are based on the image of a large clock face, with the listening position at the center and the "12:00" position straight ahead. Connect the receiver and your DVD player via a digital connection, and set the receiver's play mode to the pure decode mode, that is, STANDARD mode on this receiver. (Note: if surround effects or other signal processing are implemented the sound imaging will change and proper adjustment will not be possible). Play the reference calibration disc and display the menu screen. Use the remote control 2 35 keys to select the calibration disc's item "2. Signals for Confirmation of Direction Definition", for the "12 o'clock" position. Following an introductory narration, you will hear the sound of a clock ticking and a male voice. They should be heard coming directly from the 12 o'clock position. As you go through the subsequent chapters, the voice and screen clock display will advance in a clockwise rotation (1 o'clock = 2 o'clock = 3 o'clock . . . ). Confirm that the sound and voice are heard as clearly coming from the specified direction (for example, for the 3 o'clock position, the sound should be heard coming from your immediate right). Also, listening conditions that subject the two speakers to extreme differences in wall reflection may interfere with achieving a central sound image. Likewise, when the front and surround speakers are of different types, the FL/LS image may become ambiguous. In this case, advance to adjusting the LS/RS speakers without attempting to further adjust the FL/LS speakers. * When adjusting speaker directions, change only the speaker angle, taking care not to change the position of the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation should be located in the midpoint of the front surface of the speaker (See Fig. * Results of experiments performed by a Pioneer-organized research group have shown that favorable sound imaging can be produced when speakers are set in the orientation depicted in Fig. The actual sound definition image, however, will change depending on the room configuration and speakers used; as a result, various orientations should be attempted while using this example as a reference. FL FR Contents of Reference Calibration Disc For Multi-Channel (DTS Signal) Signals (Pulse) for Adjusting Speaker Distance 1 FL and FR 2 FL and C 3 FL and LS 4 LS and RS Speaker Orientation (Direction) Calibration Signals 1 12 o'clock 2 1 o'clock 3 2 o'clock 4 3 o'clock 5 4 o'clock 6 5 o'clock 7 6 o'clock 8 7 o'clock 9 8 o'clock 0 9 o'clock - 10 o'clock = 11 o'clock ~ 12 o'clock Straight lines from the speakers' center axes intersect about 30-80 cm behind the listening position. LS RS For 2-Channel (Linear PCM Signal) Signals (Pulse) for Adjusting Speaker Distance 1 FL and FR Straight lines from the speakers' center axes intersect about 30-80 cm behind the listening position. Speaker Placement Using the ITU-R Template As shown in Fig. 1, the ITU-R recommendations designate placement angles for each speaker. The accompanying template can be used to easily set speaker positions to these angles. Before starting, prepare a string about 3 meters in length (the string should be made of narrow, non-stretching material). 1 Open these Operating Instructions and align the ITU-R template center with your listening position so that the position at 0 degrees is straight ahead as shown. 2 Attach one end of the string to the center of the template and extend the string out to the position at 0 degrees. [. . . ] 3 Install your center speaker along the extended string line (0 degrees). 4 Install your front speakers and surround speakers in the same way along the appropriate extended string lines. The ITU-R positioning method is based on the principle of setting each speaker an equal distance from the listening position. It may be sufficient to set the distance to the listening position electrically by means of electronic delay circuits, but at least, the front two speakers and surround two speakers should be set equal distances apart. C FL Tips for Speaker Placement (Front = 0 degrees) FR 0° 60° Speakers should be installed a minimum of 10 cm away from any surrounding walls, on a solid, stable surface. [. . . ]