Filter
Top Products
26 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
System Configuration
When the setting has been made, press the
⁄
/
¤
buttons
D
so that the › cursor is next to
BACKTOSURRSELECT, and press the
Set button
F
to return to the SURROUND
SELECT
menu.
Note that the Night mode may be adjusted
directly any time that Dolby Digital surround
mode is selected by pressing the Night button
B
.When the button is pressed, the words
D-RANGE followed by the current setting
(
MID, MAX, OFF) will appear in the lower
third of the video screen and in the Main
Information Display
˜
. Press the
⁄
/
¤
but-
tons
D
within five seconds to select the desired
setting, then press Set
F
to confirm the set-
ting.
Output Level Adjustment
Output level adjustment is a key part of the
configuration of any surround-sound product. It is
particularly important for a digital receiver such
as the AVR 5550, as correct outputs ensure that
you hear sound tracks with the proper
directionality and intensity.
NOTE: Listeners are often confused about the
operation of the surround channels. While some
assume that sound should always be coming
from each speaker, most of the time there will be
little or no sound in the surround channels. This
is because they are only used when a movie
director or sound mixer specifically places sound
there to create ambience, a special effect or to
continue action from the front of the room to the
rear.When the output levels are properly set, it
is normal for surround speakers to operate only
occasionally. Artificially increasing the volume to
the rear speakers may destroy the illusion of an
enveloping sound field that duplicates the way
you hear sound in a movie theater or concert hall.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The output level can be
adjusted for each digital and analog surround
mode individually. This allows you to compensate
for level differences between speakers, that may
also vary with the surround mode selected, or to
increase or decrease the level of certain speakers
intentionally, depending on the surround mode
selected. Note that adjustments made for any
surround mode are effective with all inputs asso-
ciated with the same surround mode.
Before beginning the output level adjustment
process, make certain that all speaker connec-
tions have been properly made. The system
volume should be turned down at first. Finally,
make certain that the Balance Control Ò is
set to the center “12 o’clock” position.
Using EzSet
Harman Kardon’s exclusive EzSet remote makes it
possible to quickly and accurately set the
AVR 5550’s output levels without the use of a
sound pressure meter, although manual adjust-
ment is also available. However, for the easiest
set-up, follow these steps while seated in the lis-
tening position that will be used most often:
1. Make certain that all speaker positions have
been properly configured for their “large” or
“small” settings (as outlined above) and turn
off the OSD system if it is in use.
2. Adjust the volume so that it is at -15,as
shown in the on-screen display or Main
Information Display
˜
.
3. Select any input associated with the surround
mode for which you want to adjust the output
levels. Remember that the same adjustments
must be made with all other surround modes
you´ve in use.
4. Hold the remote in front of you, being sure not
to cover the EzSet Sensor Microphone
h
at the top of the remote and aim it at the AVR
5550, don´t hold it vertically (like a micro-
phone).
5. Press and hold the SPL Indicator Select
Button
e
for three seconds. Release it
when the Program/SPL Indicator
2
stops
flashing and remains lit. Press the 5 Button
H
on the remote if your system is configured
for 5.1 operation with standard speakers or
when it is configured for 7.1 operation but the
surround back speakers are not in use with the
surround mode currently selected. Press the 7
Button
H
on the remote only if your system
is configured for 6.1/7.1 operation with a full
speaker complement including rear surround
speakers and the surround back speakers are
in use with the surround mode selected. Note
that all speakers currently in use always are
indicated by the Speaker/Channel
Indicators
E
in the front panel display. Once
the correct channel configuration button has
been pressed the test noise will be heard from
the front left speaker.
6. At this point, EzSet will take over, adjusting
the output level of each channel so that when
the process is complete all levels will be equal
and at the set reference point.This process
may take a few minutes, depending on the
extent of adjustment required.
7. During the adjustment, you will see the loca-
tion of the channel position being adjusted
appear in the on-screen display (if connected)
and in the Main Information Display
˜
,
alternating with a readout of the output set-
ting, relative to the reference volume level.
As the adjustment proceeds, a few things will
happen simultaneously:
• The channel position being adjusted will flash
in the Speaker/Channel Input Indicators
E
. If the test noise is heard from a channel
other than the one shown in the Indicator, the
on-screen display or the front panel display,
there is an error in the speaker connections. If
this is the case, press the Test Button
8
TWICE to stop the adjustment.Then, turn the
unit off and verify that all speakers are con-
nected to the proper Outputs
DEFc
.
Afterwards start the adjusting process again
from the beginning.
• As the individual channels are set, the channel
name and the adjustment offset will appear in
the on-screen display (if connected) and the
Main Information Display
˜
.While the
level is changing, the Program/SPL Indicator
2
will change colors to reflect the output
level in relation to the reference.
A red indication shows that the level is too
high, while an orange indication shows that the
level is too low. When the indicator is green,
the level is correct, and the test noise will move
to the next channel.
• While adjustments are being made, the red LED
under the AVR Selector f will flash.This is
normal, and indicates that EzSet is operating.
8.After the test noise has circulated once
through each channel, it will send the tone to
each channel once again, to verify the settings.
9.After two complete circulations of the tone, the
levels are set.The Program/SPL Indicator
2
will remain green at each channel. Upon
completion of the second circulation, the
Program/SPL Indicator
2
will flash green
twice and then go out.The tone will stop and
the AVR 5550 will return to normal operation.
If you find that the output levels chosen by EzSet
are either much lower or much higher than the
"0dB" reference setting or even at the limits of
the +/-10dB variation range for the output levels,
depending on the sensitivity of the speakers in
use and your specific room layout, you may
repeat the procedure. Return to Step 2 and adjust
the master volume either higher or lower appro-
priately to the output levels set previously (e.g.
when levels were set to about "–7dB" reduce
the master volume for 7dB), to accommodate
your particular room layout and your speakers.