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INTRODUCTION TO HOME THEATER
The AVR 3550HD may be the first multichannel surround sound receiver
you have owned. This introductory section will help you to familiarize
yourself with some basic concepts, which will make setup and operation
smoother.
Typical Home Theater System
A home theater typically includes an audio/video receiver, which con
trols
the system; a disc player; a source component for television broad
casts
(cable box, satellite dish receiver, HDTV tuner or antenna connected to
the TV); a video display (television); and loudspeakers.
Multichannel Audio
The main benefit of a home theater system is the placement of loud-
speakers around the room to produce “surround sound.” Surround
sound immerses you in the presentation for increased realism.
The AVR 3550HD may have up to seven speakers connected directly to
it (plus a subwoofer). Each main speaker is powered by its own amplifier
channel inside the receiver. A system with more than two speakers is
called a multichannel system.
• Front Left and Right – The main speakers are used as in a
2-channel system. In many surround modes, these speakers are
used for ambient sound while the main action, especially dialogue,
is moved to the center speaker.
• Center – The center speaker is used for dialogue in movies and
television programs, allowing the dialogue to originate near the actors’
faces, for a more natural sound.
• Surround Left and Right – The surround speakers improve direc-
tionality of ambient sounds. In addition, more loudspeakers play
dynamic soundtracks without risk of overloading any one speaker.
• Surround Back Left and Right – Additional surround speakers may
be placed behind the listening position, improving the precision of
ambient sounds and allowing for more realistic pans.
The surround back speakers are used with surround modes designed
for 7.1-channel systems, such as Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus,
Dolby TrueHD, DTS-ES (Discrete and Matrix), DTS-HD High Resolution
Audio, DTS-HD Master Audio and Logic 7 (7.1 modes). The surround
back speakers are optional, and the AVR 3550HD may be set up with
a 5.1-channel system in the main listening area, and the surround
back channels reassigned to a multizone system, where the surround
back channels power loudspeakers located in another room.
Many people expect the surround speakers to play as loudly as the
front speakers.Although all of the speakers in the system will be
calibrated to sound equally loud at the listening position, most artists
use the surround speakers for ambient effects only, and they program
their materials to steer very little sound to these speakers.
• Subwoofer – A subwoofer is designed to play only the lowest
frequencies (the bass). It augments smaller, limited-range satellite
speakers used for the other channels. Many digital-format programs,
such as movies recorded in Dolby Digital, contain a low-frequency
effects (LFE) channel which is directed to the subwoofer. The LFE
channel packs the punch of a rumbling train or airplane, or the power
of an explosion, adding realism and excitement to your home theater.
Some people use two subwoofers, for additional power and even
distribution of the sound.
Surround Modes
There are different theories as to the best way to present surround
sound and to distribute information to the speakers. A variety of algo-
rithms have been developed in an effort to reproduce the way we hear
sounds in the real world, resulting in a rich variety of options.
Several companies have taken surround sound in different directions:
• Dolby Laboratories – Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital,
Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II and IIx, Dolby Virtual Speaker,
Dolby Headphone
• DTS – DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
™
, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS,
DTS-ES (Discrete and Matrix), DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24
• Harman International (the Harman Kardon parent company) –
Logic 7
• Stereo Modes – Generic modes that expand upon conventional
2-channel stereo, including 5- and 7-Channel Stereo
Table A12 in the appendix contains detailed explanations of the
mode groups and the mode options available within each group. Digital
modes, such as Dolby Digital and DTS, are only available with specially
encoded programs, such as HDTV, Blu-ray discs and digital cable or
satellite television. Other modes may be used with digital and analog
signals to create a different surround presentation, or to use a different
number of speakers. Surround Mode selection depends upon the num-
ber of speakers in your system, the materials you are watching or listen-
ing to, and your personal tastes.