XTZ Cinema M6 Owner's Manual page 10

Receiver/Pre-amp Without
Automated Setup
Older receivers and/or music preamps may not provide an automated setup function. With these sytems,
optimal calibration usually requires some type of test equipment be utilized to provide test tones and
take measurements to properly calibrate your system. Some equipment you may use for this includes:
- One of our measurement systems Room Analyzer II / II Pro. They are excellent tools to use
when optimizing and setting up a subwoofer or multiple subwoofers in a system.
- Test signal source; pink noise and/or sine wave of various frequencies (CD, DVD, your receiver/pre-
amp, or external measurment equipment)
- SPL meter (low cost handheld versions can be purchased online)
- RTA or other frequency response measurment tool (optional)
- Start with a quiet room free of excess background noise (e.g. people talking, kids playing, dogs
barking, etc.).
- Verify that subwoofer control settings match illustrations for your type of system configuration
- Set any receiver/pre-amp speaker settings at an appropriate starting point (e.g. crossover). We
recommend 80Hz xover as a good starting point.
- Start playing a test signal with energy in the subwoofer crossover region (e.g. full bandwidth pink
noise) through all speakers
- While observing an SPL meter (or listening to the mid-bass level), have an assistant adjust the
"VARIABLE PHASE" knob from 0° to 180° and observe any change in mid-bass level near the xover
frequency. Set the control to the position with the greatest amount of bass.
- Play a test signal (e.g. pink noise) through only 1 speaker at a time. If using your receiver, you may
need to enter it's setup mode to perform this function.
- Place an SPL meter in your typical listening position, approximately at ear height (use of a tripod
may be required), and set to "C" weighting and "Slow" response (if those settings are available)
- Adjust volume to a modest level -typically 75-85dB (loud enough to clearly hear, but not excessively
loud)
- Adjust controls as necessary to play the same test tone through each speaker and subwoofers(s)
in the system, 1 speaker at a time.
- Adjust the individual channel gain/trim of your equipment to obtain the same SPL reading from
each speaker as you measured from the first speaker
A home theater receiver may walk you through portions of this procedure. Follow any instructions from
your receiver's owner's manual as applicable to your system setup. Once finished, listen to some
familiar music and movie tracks. Minor adjustment of the levels may be desired. Do not be afraid to
experiment with adjustments and try different EQ settings to find what may improve the sound in your
system and room the best!
NOTE:
There are limitations on how well the bass management works in a receiver/processor. The settings
for the subwoofer(s) might need to be adjusted manually either on the subwoofer(s) OR preferably in
the receiver/processor. For some cases when having only one "SUBWOOFER" output jack and multiple
subwoofers and the subwoofers are not placed symmetrically in the room (e.g. having an opening on
one side of the room) you might need to apply different settings for the "VARIABLE PHASE", "BASS LEVEL"
and EQ setting on the subwoofers. There is also the option to use one of our measurement systems
Room Analyzer II / II Pro. They are excellent tools when optimizing and setting up a subwoofer or
multiple subwoofers in a system. Do not be afraid to experiment with slight adjustments to find what
may improve the sound in your system and room the best!
Do not hesitate to contact us at info@xtz.se for questions about settings. We are happy to assist you
in optimizing your system!
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