GoldenEar SuperCinema 3D Array X and XL - Manual (Page 10)

10
Setting Channel Levels and Bass Management in Multi-Channel Home
Theater Systems
VERY IMPORTANT: Home Theater System Bass Management Settings: On your Home Theater Receiver
or A/V Processor’s Speaker Setup Menu, set Left, Center and Right Speakers To “SMALL” and set their
Crossover Frequency to 120 Hz. See important additional setup details below.
Multi-channel surround sound systems have bass management systems (systems which direct the bass to the
various channels) which vary from unit to unit. This bass management system must be properly adjusted, in
particular it is extremely important that bass is directed to the subwoofer and NOT the SuperCinema 3D Array
speaker in these setups, through use of the receiver’s or a/v processor’s bass management setting. Many problems
relating to the overall sound of the system can be traced back to improper bass management settings. Also note
that Multi-channel surround sound systems have a critical channel balancing procedure for setting the level for all
speakers (see below) which must be followed if the system is to perform properly. Many problems relating to the
overall sound of the system can be clearly traced back to improper system balance.
SETTING CHANNEL LEVELS: This process is used to set each speaker (channel) in the system to the same volume level.
Your receiver’s or A/V processor’s Speaker Level Calibration Menu allows you to play test tones on each channel
and adjustable the volume of that channel so all channels play the test tone at the same volume. While you can
get reasonable results doing this by ear, it is best to use an inexpensive Sound Pressure (SPL) meter, or SPL meter
“app” on your Smartphone, to get better channel to channel balance.
The unique inter-aural crosstalk cancellation technology employed in the SuperCinema 3D Array can make it
difficult to get consistent result for the Left. Center and Right volume level using the receiver’s/processor’s test
tones and a SPL meter. Therefore, you may wish to set channel balance for the SuperCinema 3D Array channels
manually. To do so, set Left, Center and Right to the same level number on the speaker level calibration menu,
and then use the SPL Meter and test tones to match the output of the other speakers to the Center channel.
Some new receivers and processors have Auto Set Up functions that use a supplied microphone to set levels
automatically. If you don’t feel the channel balance is correct when the auto setup is complete, manually
adjust the levels for the Left, Center and Right as indicated above.