AVR 35 (serv.man4) - Harman Kardon Audio User Guide / Operation Manual. Page 22

System Configuration

20

Output Level Adjustment
Output level adjustment is a key part of the
configuration process for any surround
sound product. It is particularly important
for a Dolby Digital receiver such as the
AVR35RDS, as correct outputs will ensure
that you hear sound tracks in their proper
place with the proper intensity.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Many listeners are
often confused about the operation of the
surround channels. While some assume
that sound should always be coming from
each speaker, most of the time there will be
little or no sound in the surround channels.
This is because they are only used when a
movie director or sound mixer specifically
places sound there to create ambiance, an
effect or to continue action from the front
of the room to the rear. When the output
levels are properly set it is normal for rear/
surround speakers to operate only
occasionally. Artificially increasing the
volume to the rear speakers may destroy the
illusion of an enveloping sound field that
duplicates the way you hear sound in a
movie theater or concert hall.

Before beginning the adjustment process
make certain that all speaker connections
have been properly made. The system
volume should be set to the level that you
will use during a typical listening session.
Finally, make certain that the 

7

is set to the center “12

o’clock” position.

To adjust and calibrate the output levels,
follow these steps. For accurate calibration,
it is a good idea to make these adjustments
from the location in your room that is your
favorite listening position:

1. Put the AVR35RDS in the Dolby Pro

Logic mode by pressing the 

Ó

on the front

panel or by pressing the 

g

on the remote,

followed by the 

⁄

¤

buttons 

h

until

PRO LOGIC

appears in the 

V

and the

indicator 

F

lights.

2. Press the 

button 

Ò

on

the remote or front panel. The words 

T -T FL 0dB

will appear in the

V

, and

the letters 

FL

(front left) will flash once

each second.

3. At this point, the test noise will begin to

circulate among all installed speakers
in a clockwise rotation, while each
speaker is identified by the letters 

FL

,

C

, 

FR

, 

SR

, 

SL

(Front Left, Center,

Front Right, Surround Right, Surround
Left) flashing in the display.

NOTE: This is a good time to verify that
the speakers have been properly
connected. As the test noise circulates,
listen to make certain that the sound
comes from the speaker position shown
in the Main Information Display. If the
sound from a speaker location does
NOT match the position indicated in
the display, turn the AVR35RDS off and
check the speaker wiring to make
certain that each speaker is connected
to the correct output terminal.

4. After checking for speaker placement,

let the test noise circulate again, and
listen to see which channels sound
louder than the others. Using the front
left (

FL

in the display) speaker as a

reference, press the 

⁄

¤

buttons 

h

on the remote or the

buttons

¸

on the front panel on each channel

to begin to bring them to the same
level. Note that when one of the buttons
is pushed, the test noise circulation will
pause on the channel being adjusted to
give you time to make the adjustment.
When you release the button, the
circulation will resume after some
seconds.

5. Continue to adjust the individual

speakers until they all have the same
volume. Note that adjustments should
be made with the 

⁄

¤

buttons 

h

on

the remote or the 

buttons

¸

on the front panel only, NOT the main
volume controls. Each time a speakers
adjustment is made press the 

button 

j ˜

as long as the speaker’s

letters are still flashing in the display to
memorize the change.

NOTE: The subwoofer output level is not
adjustable using the test tone. To change
the subwoofer level, follow the steps for
Output Level Trim Adjustment on page 28.

6. When you have adjusted the outputs so

that all channels have the same level,
press the 

button 

Ò

on

the remote or front panel to complete
the adjustment.