Better Surround Placement; Test Tone/Channel Balance - RCA RTD217 User Manual

RTD217 EN 3/1/07

Better surround placement

Location
If possible, place surround speakers to either side
of the listening area, not behind it.
Height
If space permits, install surround speakers 2-3 feet
above viewers. This helps to minimize localization
effects.
Aiming
Aim surround speakers straight across the room,
not down at viewers, to help create a more open,
spacious surround sound field.
Alternative Surround Placement
Rear wall
If rear wall mounting is the only choice, aim the
speakers at each other (A), towards the front (B)
or towards the sidewalls (C, D). Experiment with
placement until sounds seem to surround you,
rather than come from behind you.
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No adjacent walls
Surround speakers can go on stands facing each
other to approximate sidewall mounting (A), or
to the sides or rear of the viewing area, aimed
upwards; they can go right on the floor, or
preferably, a few feet off the floor such as on end
tables (B).

Test tone/Channel balance

Channel balance
Your receiver is equipped with a test signal
generator for balancing the channels. As the
signal "travels" from channel to channel, adjust
the level controls until each channel plays at the
same loudness level (see page 20).
Level adjustment and surround channel
level expectation
Even though you adjust the surround channel to
be as loud as the others on the test signal, on
actual program material the surround channel is
usually much lower than the front. Don't re-
adjust the surround level; program producers use
surround for subtle atmospherics and ambience,
and only rarely for special effects.
EN
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