Surround Sound Setup - Cambridge Audio azur 540R V2.0 User Manual

SURROUND SOUND SETUP

To setup the 540R V2.0 for surround sound use it is necessary to
perform 3 steps to match the unit to your speaker package type and
configuration. The required steps are:
1. Speaker Types - tell the 540R V2.0 how many and what type of
speakers are connected ('Large' or 'Small' in terms of bass response).
2. Delay Times - set up a delay time for the rear surround and/or centre
speakers so that the sound arrives at the listening position at the
right time (for each speaker) for the best surround sound effect.
3. Level Calibration - adjust the relative level of each speaker to take
into account any difference in efficiency or speaker type between
each speaker.
Optionally, when using the unit and after having performed the 3 stages
above you can then perform two other surround sound adjustments:
• Trimming the Low Frequency Effect (LFE) level to taste/circumstances.
• Applying Dynamic Range Control (DRC) to reduce the volume range of
loud to quiet passages in movie soundtracks.
These two extra adjustments can be made where it might be desired to
reduce the bass output level and/or the maximum difference in
loudness between quiet and loud passages in the movie. For example,
to change loudness temporarily for late night listening.
Step 1 - Speaker Types
The 540R V2.0 can support up to a 6.1 speaker setup which means 6
speakers (Front Left, Front Right, Centre, Surround Left, Surround Right,
Back Surround) plus a mains powered Subwoofer (the .1).
The first step is to tell the unit how many speakers you are actually
22 Azur AV receiver
using. For example, if you choose not to use a Centre Channel speaker
you can set this to 'None' in the settings and the 540R V2.0 will
automatically redirect the centre channel audio information into the Left
and Right Front channels, creating what is know as a 'Phantom Centre'.
Similarly, you might decide to not use a subwoofer if your main Left and
Right speakers are capable of reproducing enough bass for a satisfying
music/movie experience.
Our advice would be a 5.1 or 6.1 setup to take full advantage of the
540R V2.0's capabilities and modern movie soundtracks. The
difference being whether it is chosen to use a Back Surround speaker.
This extra speaker is only required if it is desired to play back 6.1
material such as DD EX, DTS ES or Neo:6. All other material only requires
a 5.1 speaker package.
In addition each speaker that is being used can also be set to be either
'Large' or 'Small' (the 'Large' or 'Small' settings do not necessarily reflect
the actual physical size of the speaker):
Large - speakers with an extended low frequency response of
approximately 20-30Hz to 16-20kHz (floorstanders or high quality larger
stand-mounted speakers).
Small - speakers with a less extended low frequency response of
approximately 80-100Hz to 16-20kHz (small stand-mounted, bookshelf
or satellite speakers).
Setting each speaker allows the 540R V2.0 to perform Bass
Management and to direct low frequency bass from music and the Low
Frequency Effects channel of surround sound material to those
speakers best able to reproduce it. The process is fairly self explanatory
and can be achieved via the OSD Speaker Config Menu (recommended)
or via the front panel display by pressing SPK Setup on the remote.