Bookshelf-75/Center-75/LCR-75/LCR-55
page 11
who sits in the main listening position keeps their eyes closed!
Make sure that you aim the left and right speakers in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Horizontal toe-in
is important for the best possible imaging.
6.
If you have a Dolby Digital AC-3 5.1 channel processor/receiver, follow these instructions. If you have
a Pro-Logic processor/receiver, go to item 7 below.
SPECIAL NOTE: Always check the processor/receiver’s owner’s manual. Different manufacturers use different
descriptions for the same function, and sometimes the same description for different functions!. Your component may
use terminology different from that used below.
A.
High-Pass Filters: All Dolby Digital processor/receivers have built-in high-pass filters for
the Left, Center, Right, Left Surround, and Right Surround channels. Always turn these
filters ON by using the SMALL setting. If you have a THX component, use the THX
setting. See the owner’s manual of the processor/receiver for instructions.
B.
Bass Management: If the processor/receiver has a setting to turn the Subwoofer off or
on, make sure that it is set to SUBWOOFER YES or ON.
C.
Dialog Normalization: If your component has this function, turn it off to avoid any
possible effect on sound quality.
D.
THX Dolby Digital units have an adjustable limiter for the subwoofer feed, called “Bass
Peak Level Management”. Turn it off, or set it for the highest possible level. M&K
subwoofers do not need this limiter.
7.
If you have a Pro-Logic only processor/receiver, follow these instructions.
SPECIAL NOTE: Always check the processor/receiver/receiver’s owner’s manual. Different manufacturers use
different descriptions for the same function, and sometimes the same description for different functions! Your
component may use terminology different from that used below.
A.
If the component has high-pass filters for the Left, Center, and Right channels (usually
only THX components have these filters), they should be turned on or set to THX (if you
have a choice, use the frequency closest to 80 Hz. The
surround
channels in a Pro-Logic
only system do not have switchable filters.
B.
Set the center channel to Normal, unless you have a THX controller. With a THX
controller, set the center channel to the THX setting.
C.
Turn off all limiters and compressors, auto azimuth controls, auto balance controls, etc.
D.
If the processor/receiver/receiver has an input level control, calibrate it per the
manufacturer’s instructions.
E.
If the component has a digital input, and you are using a source component with a digital
output, always use the digital input, not the analog input.
8.
Set levels for each channel. You can take a measurement at the listening position to establish the reference
level, but it is usually more accurate to take levels at about one meter from each speaker. Set all channels to exactly
the same level.
Use a Sound Level Meter. Point it directly at the speaker being measured. Set all channels to the same level,
using the processor/receiver/receiver’s internal test signal. Set the meter to “C” weighting and “Slow” response. Set
the levels to 75 dB if you have a THX processor/receiver/receiver or are using the Video Essentials disc as a source
for setting levels.
NOTE: If you using identical speakers anywhere in your system (e.g., S-150THX speakers for the left, center,
and right channels), all of those channels should be set to the same level. If your meter measures a different level,
it is probably a limitation of this type of meter measurement method and not an actual audible level difference. Set
the channels using identical speakers to the same level, unless you actually hear a difference later when you are doing
listening to verify the system setup.
9.
Check phase. Make sure that all five main channel speakers are wired in phase. The Video Essentials disc
has tests for main speaker phase.
10. Make sure that the subwoofer and main speakers are in phase at the 80 Hz crossover point. Listen to
something with a consistent bass line around 80 Hz while a partner switches the “Phase” control on the subwoofer
from “+” to “-”. The switch position that results in the greatest bass at the listening position is the correct setting.
11. Play something that is familiar to you through the system to verify the system’s overall performance. If
Bookshelf-75/LCR-55MkII/Center-55MkII/LCR-45
