Test Tone - Rotel RSX-03 Owner's Manual

turns off the subwoofer for that mode) and
a range of adjustments from -9dB to +9dB
and MAX (+10dB). A setting of 0dB 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 -2db for a particular sur-
round mode means that the subwoofer level
will be 2dB 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 sur-
round modes.
: Only the current surround mode can
NOTE
be adjusted on this menu. You will need
to change surround modes using the front
panel or remote buttons to adjust a differ-
ent mode.
We recommend starting with the settings for
all surround modes at the default 0dB setting
during the test tone 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 sur-
round 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.
: In Dolby Digital and DTS recordings,
NOTE
the LFE channel is used to produce spectacu-
lar low bass effects, placing considerable de-
mands on your subwoofer system. If you hear
distortion or other signs of distress from your
subwoofer at loud listening levels, you may
consider reducing the subwoofer level for the
Dolby Digital and/or DTS surround modes. In
other surround modes, there is no LFE channel
and the subwoofer will only reproduce redi-
rected bass from the other channels, which
is not as likely to tax the subwoofer.
To return to the MAIN menu, press the ENTER
button. Press the MENU/OSD button on the
remote to cancel the display and return to
normal operation.
37

Test Tone

��������������������
��������������������
��������������������
�����������������������������
��������������������
��������������������
��������������������
��������������������
��������������������
�����������
This menu uses filtered pink noise test tones
to set equal volume levels for all speakers
(left front, center, right front, right surround,
center back, left surround, and subwoofer) to
ensure proper surround sound reproduction.
Setting the output levels using the test proce-
dure 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.
: If you have configured your system to
NOTE
use two center back speakers, there will be
an additional line in the menu, giving you the
ability to independently adjust the CENTER
BACK 1 and CENTER BACK 2 speakers.
To access this menu and perform the test
tone calibration, you can be in any surround
mode except BYPASS with any input except
the MULTI INPUT. Enter the OSD menu sys-
tem and select TEST TONE from the MAIN
MENU to reach this screen.
When you enter the TEST TONE menu, you
will hear a test tone coming from the high-
lighted speaker. Highlight different speakers
by moving the cursor to the desired line using
the UP/DOWN 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 qui-
eter. If so, adjust that speaker's levels up or
down (in 1dB increments) using the +/– but-
tons. Continue switching among the speak-
ers and adjusting until all speakers are the
same volume.
To return to the MAIN menu, press the ENTER
button. Press the MENU/OSD button on the
remote to cancel the menu display and return
to normal operation.
Calibration with an SPL meter:
Calibrating the system with an SPL meter,
rather than by ear, provides more precise
results and improves the system's perfor-
mance significantly. Inexpensive SPL meters
are widely available and the procedure is
quick and easy.
Both Dolby and DTS specify a standard cali-
bration 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 105dB. The RSX-03's test tones are
generated at a precise level (-30dBFs) rela-
tive to the loudest possible digitally recorded
sound. At the Dolby or DTS reference level,
these test tones should produce a 75dB read-
ing on an SPL meter.
Set the meter to its 70dB 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; how-
ever, 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
RSX-03 until the meter reads 75dB (+5dB on
the meter scale) when playing the test tone
through one of the front speakers. Then, use
the individual channel adjustments on the
TEST TONE menu to adjust each of the indi-
vidual speakers, including the subwoofer, to
the same 75dB on the SPL meter.
: Due to meter weighting curves and
NOTE
room effects, the actual level of the subwoofer
may be slightly higher than you measure. To
compensate, Dolby suggests setting the sub-
woofer several dB lower when calibrating
with an SPL meter (i.e. set the subwoofer to
read 72dB on the meter instead of 75dB).
Ultimately, the proper subwoofer level must
be determined by personal taste and some
listeners prefer to set it above 75dB for film
soundtracks. Exaggerated bass effects come
at the expense of proper blending with the
main speakers and place stress on the sub-
woofer and its amplifier. If you can localize
English