AVR 55 (serv.man2) - Harman Kardon Audio User Guide / Operation Manual. Page 19

System Configuration

19

Speaker Output Adjustments
Adjustments and calibration of the
speaker output levels is important to
proper surround operation. During this
process, the unit is adjusted so that the
output levels from each channel is set 
so that all channels have a reference
level that is as close to one another as
possible. A small amount of time spent 
to properly calibrate the AVR55’s output
levels will enable the unit to deliver all
the performance it is capable of within
the environment of your specific
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 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 connec-
tions have be 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

Ù

is set to the center

“12 O’clock” position.

1. Press the 

button 

k

on the remote to begin the adjustment
process. A test noise will circulate from
one speaker channel to the next, as indi-
cated in the 

F

.

2. Take a minute to listen to the test
noise from each speaker as the location
indicated in the display changes. Check
to make certain that, for example, when
the display reads 

TEST-FRONT L

,

that the test noise is coming from the
front left speaker. If the test tone’s loca-
tion does not match the display for any
channel, press the 

button

k

to end the adjustment and turn 

the unit off using the 

1

. Check all connections to

maker certain the 

fi

are connected to the proper speaker.

Installation Hint: While the test tone is
circulating among the channels, make 
a note if it sounds reasonably equal in
volume, or if one channel or more
channels seems significantly louder than
the others.

3. When you have verified that all
channels are properly connected, press
the 

button 

l

to

begin the adjustment process.

4. The Test Tone will stop circulating 
and be heard through the center channel
only. If the center channel appeared to 
be at a level above or below the front
left/right channels while the tone was
circulating, press the 

buttons 

m

to raise or lower the

volume so that the tone is the same level
as the other channels. When the adjust-
ment is complete, press the 

button 

l

to move to the next

channel.

5. The Test Tone will now be heard
through the right surround speaker. 
As with the center channel speaker, use
the 

buttons

m

to adjust the level as required so 

that the tone is the same level as the
other channels. When the adjustment is
complete, press the 

button 

l

to move to the next channel.

6. The Test Tone will now be heard
through the left surround speaker. As
with the previous channels, use the

buttons 

m

to

adjust the level as required so that the
test tone is the same level as the other
channels. When the adjustment is com-
plete press the 

button 

k

twice so that the tone momentarily stops,
and then begins to circulate.