AVR 40 (serv.man2) - Harman Kardon Audio User Guide / Operation Manual. Page 16

Installation and Configuration

Consult the subwoofer instructions or
consult your dealer for additional
information.

When using a single subwoofer and a
separate mono power amplifier, the
AVR40 subwoofer outputs must be com-
bined using an optional “Y” adapter. If
there is no crossover in the subwoofer an
optional, external low pass filter or
crossover system must be used.

External Amplifier Connections
The flexibility of the AVR40 permits you
to use external power amplifiers in place
of the unit’s built in circuits. If a five
channel amplifier is used, simply remove
the jumper pins connecting the front
left/right outputs 

b

and the main

amplifier inputs 

c

. Connect the preamp

outputs for all channels 

bde

to the

appropriate input connections of your
power amplifier. Remove the speaker wire
connections from the receiver and con-
nect them to the external amplifier. All
other operation of the receiver remains
normal.

NOTE: Although there are two outputs
for the center channel, both are identi-
cal. In most installations only one center
channel connection is necessary.

It is also possible to use a higher power
external amplifier for the front channels
and use the AVR40’s internal amplifier to
power the surround channels. For this
installation remove the jumper pin con-
necting the front left right outputs 

b

and the main amp inputs 

c

. Flip the

pins so that the rear outputs 

d

are

connected to the main inputs.

Connect the front channel outputs to the
appropriate inputs of the external ampli-
fier, and move the front channel speaker

wire connections from the AVR40 to the
power amplifier.

Finally, connect the rear channel speaker
wires to the front left and right speaker
outputs on the AVR40 

¤‹

, as shown

on the accompanying diagram.

the performance it is capable of within
the specific environment of your
listening room.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Many listeners
are often confused about the operation of
the rear (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
rear 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 them to
operate only occasionally. Artificially
increasing the volume to the rear
speakers may destroy the illusion of
an enveloping sound field that dupli-
cates the way you hear sound in a movie
theater or concert hall.

It is also important to note that the Dolby
Pro Logic surround processing used in
the AVR40 rear channel is a single
monaural feed, even though there are
two speakers. The position of the speakers
and the relationship of the level of sound
in the rear channel and the front left or
right channels creates the effect of direc-
tional sounds for the rear channels.
Thus, when adjusting the rear channel
there is only one, as opposed to two
adjustments.

To begin the adjustment process, first set
the system volume to the level that you
will use during a typical listening ses-
sion. Next, press the 

button

(q

on the front panel or remote. Note

that the front panel display will change
to read 

LF

although there will be no

change to the system output.

13

AVR40  rev (j)  4/16/97

LEFT

RIGHT

RIGHT

MAIN IN

FRONT

LEFT

PRE OUT

CENTER

PRE OUT

CENTER

SPEAKER

8

Ω

FRONT

SPEAKERS

8

Ω

SUB

WOOFER

OUT

REAR

PRE OUT

NOTE: When using an external amplifier
for the front channels it is highly recom-
mended that the same power be used for
the left, center and right channels.

Output Level Calibration
For proper operation in the surround
modes it is important that the level from
all channels be as close to one another as
possible. A small amount of time spent to
properly calibrate the AVR40’s output 
levels will enable the unit to deliver all

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