Setup guide
page 8
7. HOME THEATRE USAGE
LEVEL-MATCHING
The factor most critical to achieving excellent Home Theatre performance is level-matching the three front, two
surround channels and subwoofer. This is even more important than timbre-matching. We strongly recommend
that you purchase a good Sound Pressure Level meter (In the US, the Radio Shack Sound Level Meter is
available for less than about $50. Get the analog meter, not the digital) and use it to measure the output of the
speakers when playing the test tones generated by your processor or receiver.
Set the meter to the “C” weighting scale and “SLOW” response, using your amplier or receiver’s internal noise
calibration test, set the levels so that all channels measure the same level. Using a meter is an inexpensive
way to be certain that your system is calibrated properly.
WHENEVER POSSIBLE, DO NOT CALIBRATE LEVELS BY EAR!
TIMBRE-MATCHING
One of the most important factors in achieving excellent Home Theatre performance is timbre matching.
On lm soundtracks, specic sounds are often moved from left to right or from front to back in the room. When
the speakers reproducing these sounds have dissimilar characteristics, there will be an audible discontinuity
when the sound shifts from one speaker to another.
Timbre-matched speakers have very similar tonal characteristics and sound, which come from three critical
elements: similar or identical drivers; similar or identical crossovers; and similar or identical frequency
response. In full M&K systems, these elements have been addressed. You can be assured that the system can
achieve the full potential of multichannel sound.
When you have a multichannel system, speaker placement becomes extremely important, as you will be
balancing four or ve (or more) speakers rather than two. The following guidelines are for a 5.1 channel
system, but if you do not have a Center channel, the instructions for the other four channels still apply.
CENTER CHANNEL
The Center channel speaker in a multichannel system is the most important speaker in the system. This
speaker often produces more output than the left and right speakers combined. This speaker should be of
the highest possible quality, and as similar as possible in response and radiation pattern to the left and right
speakers. Three identical speakers are best, unless the center channel is designed to work with a set of left
and right speakers.
It is also important to have as much amplier power as possible for the Center channel. As a minimum, the
three front channels should be identical in power output, but it is better if the Center channel has more. If you
have less power in the Center channel, this will be the limiting factor in the total output capability of the system
when watching and listening to video sources.
The Center channel speaker should be located as close as physically possible to the television or projection
screen, preferably just above or below the screen. If that is not possible, then just to the left or the right of the
screen may be acceptable.