Anthem MRX 700 - Manual (Page 34)

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3. SETUP
continued …
3.11 ANTHEM ROOM CORRECTION (ARC)
ARC corrects the effects of reflective surfaces and room boundaries on sound quality by measuring the
response of each speaker relative to the listening area and equalizing it. ARC equalizes response without
stressing the amplifier or speakers and does not downsample the source material to process it. ARC’s filters
are neither graphic nor parametric – ARC is a sophisticated system that flattens response using its ability to
create practically any suitable function, inherently correcting phase effects created by the room.
The default correction range is up to 5 kHz. Although the limit can be changed if needed, a higher one is
generally not advised since the microphone becomes directional at upper frequencies, affecting
measurement accuracy especially if the height of the speaker’s high frequency driver is not at ear level.
ARC also detects how much the room reinforces low frequencies due to its boundaries and pressurization.
This room gain shows as a bump in the target response. ARC does not remove it because if flattened, bass
sounds thin. Ideal anechoic speaker response, a straight line as measured in a special non-reverberant
facility, is not the same as ideal in-room response which normally includes, to varying degree, this room gain.
ARC senses where each speaker’s low-frequency response declines and sets high-pass filters accordingly.
Calibration is set such that average level is the same when comparing EQ “On” vs “Off”. Note that to set
levels ARC uses a midrange band that’s wider than the standard home theater setup noise, which is centered
at 1 kHz and narrow so there’s no chance its level would be reduced by a crossover.
Sample response:
EQ is also available for my subwoofer(s) – should I use it?
Since rooms and correction systems, the answer varies although it is best to disable the subwoofer’s EQ
before running ARC. If the resulting calculated and target curves resemble each other, there is usually
no reason to use the sub’s EQ. If the curves significantly differ through a wide range, enable the sub’s
EQ and run ARC again to see if it helps. If you have run ARC with the sub’s EQ enabled, ARC must be run
again once the sub’s EQ is turned off.
Multiple Paradigm subs with PBK: Results are often better with PBK run on each sub before using ARC.
Measured response before EQ
Calculated response after EQ
Target response – dotted line