Harman Kardon AVR 8000 Owner's Manual

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18 SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONSystem ConfigurationWhen all audio, video and system connectionshave been made, there are a few configurationadjustments that must be made. A few minutesspent to correctly configure and calibrate theunit will greatly add to your listening experience.Speaker Selection and PlacementThe placement of speakers in a multichannelhome theater system can have a noticeableimpact on the quality of sound reproduced.No matter which type or brand of speakers isused, the same model or brand of speakershould be used for the left front, center andright front speakers. This creates a seamlessfront soundstage and eliminates the possibilityof distracting sonic disturbances that occurwhen a sound moves across mismatchedfront-channel speakers.Speaker PlacementDepending on the type of center-channel speakerin use and your viewing device, place the centerspeaker either directly above or below your TV,or in the center behind a perforated front pro-jection screen.Once the center channel speaker is installed,position the front left and front right speakersso that they are as far away from one anotheras the center channel speaker is from the pre-ferred listening position. Ideally, the front channelspeakers should be placed so that their tweetersare no more than 24" above or below thetweeter in the center-channel speaker.Depending on the specifics of your roomacoustics and the type of speakers in use, youmay find that imaging is improved by movingthe left front and right front speakers slightlyforward of the center channel speaker. If possi-ble, adjust all front loudspeakers so that theyare aimed at ear height when you are seatedin the listening position.Using these guidelines, you’ll find that it takessome experimentation to find the correct locationfor the front speakers in your particular installa-tion. Don’t be afraid to move things around untilthe system sounds correct. Optimize your speak-ers so that audio transitions across the front ofthe room sound smooth, and that sounds fromall speakers appear to arrive at the listeningposition at the same time (without delay fromthe center speaker compared to the left andright speakers).A) Front-Channel Speaker InstallationWith Direct-View TV Sets or Rear-ScreenProjectorsB) Rear speaker mounting is an alternatelocation for 5.1 systems. It is requiredfor 7.1 operation.When the AVR 8000 is used in 5.1-channeloperation, the preferred location for surroundspeakers is on the side walls of the room, at orslightly behind the listening position. In a 7.1-channel system, both side surround and backsurround speakers are required. The center ofthe speaker should face into the room. Thespeakers should be located so that the bottomof the cabinet is at least two feet higher thanthe listeners’ ears when the listeners are seatedin the desired area.Rear surround speakers are required when a full7.1-channel system is installed, and they mayalso be used in 5.1 channel systems as an alter-native mounting position when it is not practi-cal to place the main surround speakers on thesides of the room. Speakers may be placed on arear wall, behind the listening position. As withthe side speakers, rear surrounds should belocated so that the bottom of the cabinet is atleast two feet higher than the listeners’ ears.The speakers should be no more than six feetbehind the rear of the seating area.If dipole-type speakers are used on either theside or rear walls of the room, please note thatif there are arrows on the speakers they shouldface the front of the room for the side speakers,or towards the center of the wall for the rearspeakers.Subwoofers produce nondirectional sound, sothey may be placed almost anywhere in aroom. Actual placement should be based onroom size and shape and the type of subwooferused. One method of finding the optimal loca-tion for a subwoofer is to begin by placing it inthe front of the room, about six inches from awall, or near the front corner of the room.Another method is to temporarily place thesubwoofer at your normal listening position,and then walk around the room until you finda spot where the subwoofer sounds best. Placethe subwoofer in that spot. You should alsofollow the instructions of the subwoofer’smanufacturer, or you may wish to experimentwith the best location for a subwoofer in yourlistening room.At least 2 feetAt least 6 inches from ceilingCenter FrontSpeakerRear-Wall MountingTV or Projection ScreenRight FrontSpeakerLeft FrontSpeakerNo more than 6 feetwhen rear-mountedspeakers are usedRight FrontSpeakerLeft FrontSpeakerNo morethan 24"Center Front Speaker