Speaker Level Setup - Rotel RSP-1576MKII Owner's Manual

Use the Up/Down arrow buttons to move to the specific surround mode and
use the Left/Right arrow buttons to adjust the subwoofer level for the current
surround mode. The options are a range of adjustments from -9 dB to +9
dB and MAX (+10 dB). A setting of 0 dB means that the specified surround
mode will use the master subwoofer level. Any other setting is an offset to
the master setting. For example, an adjustment of -2 dB for a particular
surround mode means that the subwoofer level will be 2 dB quieter than
the master subwoofer level when that surround mode is selected. Use these
subwoofer level settings to adjust the relative bass output of various surround
modes. Changing the master subwoofer level will increase or decrease the
level for all surround modes.
We recommend starting with the settings for all surround modes at the
default 0 dB setting during the speaker level calibration of the system and
for a period of familiarization after that. As you listen to a variety of source
material over time, you may notice that certain surround modes consistently
produce too much or too little bass from the subwoofer. If so, then use these
menu settings to customize each surround mode. In general, if the master
subwoofer level is set properly (i.e. not too loud), individual settings for
each surround mode should not be necessary.
To return to the main menu select "BACK" on the OSD or push the BACK
button on the remote control.

Speaker Level Setup

SPEAKER LEVEL SETUP
FRONT LEFT
CENTER
FRONT RIGHT
SURROUND RIGHT
CENTER BACK RIGHT
OVERHEAD FRONT RIGHT
OVERHEAD REAR RIGHT
OVERHEAD REAR LEFT
OVERHEAD FRONT LEFT
CENTER BACK LEFT
SURROUND LEFT
SUBWOOFER
BACK
NOTE: If you have configured your system to use two center back
speakers, there will be an additional line in the menu, giving you the
ability to independently adjust the CENTER BACK LEFT and CENTER
BACK RIGHT speakers.
This menu uses filtered pink noise test tones to set equal volume levels for
all speakers (FRONT LEFT, CENTER, FRONT RIGHT, SURROUND RIGHT,
CENTER BACK RIGHT, CENTER BACK LEFT, OVERHEAD FRONT RIGHT,
OVERHEAD REAR RIGHT, OVERHEAD REAR LEFT, OVERHEAD FRONT LEFT,
SURROUND LEFT and SUBWOOFER) to ensure proper surround sound
reproduction. Setting the output levels using the test procedure provides the
most accurate adjustment so that digital surround sound material will be
reproduced as it was intended and is a critical step in calibrating the system.
The Audio Configuration will determine which speakers are displayed in
the Speaker Level Setup menu.
When you enter the SPEAKER LEVEL SETUP menu, you will hear a test tone
coming from the highlighted speaker. Highlight different speakers by moving
the cursor to the desired line using the Up/Down arrow buttons. The test
tone will shift accordingly to the selected speaker.
Seated in the normal listening location, shift the test tone to the various
speakers. Using the one speaker as a reference, listen for any speakers that
are noticeably louder or quieter. If so, adjust that speaker's levels up or down
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
0DB
(in 0.5 dB increments) using the Left/Right arrow buttons. Continue switching
among the speakers and adjusting until all speakers are the same volume.
To return to the MAIN menu, select "BACK" on the OSD or press the BACK
button. Press the SETUP button or select "EXIT" on the OSD to exit setup
and return to normal operation.
Calibration with an SPL meter:
Calibrating the system with an SPL (Sound Pressure Level) meter, rather than
by ear, provides more precise results and improves the system's performance
significantly. Inexpensive SPL meters are widely available and the procedure
is quick and easy.
Both Dolby and DTS specify a standard calibration level for all theaters to
ensure that soundtracks can be played at the volume level intended by the
director of the film. This reference level should result in spoken dialog played
at a realistic level for normal speech with the loudest peaks in any single
channel at about 105 dB. The RSP-1576MKII's test tones are generated at
a precise level (-30 dBFs) relative to the loudest possible digitally recorded
sound. At the Dolby or DTS reference level, these test tones should produce
a 75 dB reading on an SPL meter.
Set the meter to its 70 dB dial setting with SLOW response and C-weighting,
held away from your body at your listening position (mounting the SPL
meter on a camera tripod makes this easier). You can point the SPL meter
at each speaker as it is being measured; however, positioning the meter
in a fixed position pointing at the ceiling is easier and probably produces
more consistent results.
Increase the master volume control on the unit until the meter reads 75 dB
(+5 dB on the meter scale) when playing the test tone through one of the
front speakers. Then, use the individual channel adjustments on the SPEAKER
LEVEL SETUP menu to adjust each of the individual speakers, including the
subwoofer, to the same 75 dB on the SPL meter.
NOTE: Due to meter weighting curves and room effects, the actual
level of the subwoofer may be slightly higher than you measure. To
compensate, Dolby suggests setting the subwoofer several dB lower
when calibrating with an SPL meter (i.e. set the subwoofer to read 72
dB on the meter instead of 75 dB). Ultimately, the proper subwoofer
level must be determined by personal taste and some listeners prefer
to set it above 75 dB for film soundtracks. Exaggerated bass effects
come at the expense of proper blending with the main speakers and
place stress on the subwoofer and its amplifier. If you can localize
bass from the subwoofer, the subwoofer level may be too high. Music
can be useful for fine-tuning the subwoofer level as excessive bass is
readily apparent. The proper setting will generally work well for music
and movie soundtracks.
Remember the setting of the master volume control used during this calibration.
To play a Dolby Digital or DTS soundtrack at the reference volume level,
simply return to that volume setting. Note that most home theater listeners
find this setting to be excessively loud. Let your own ears be the judge for
deciding how loud to playback movie soundtracks and adjust the master
volume control accordingly. Regardless of your listening levels, using an SPL
meter to calibrate equal levels for all speakers in the system is recommended.
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