How to use your AV receiver's speaker calibration

Automatic setup programs are supposed to be easy, but they can stump home theater neophytes.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

Most new AV receivers come with an "auto setup" or "automatic calibration" feature, but despite the word automatic, these features can stump AV novices. If you're setting up an AV receiver for the first time, this guide will put you on the right track.

How to use your AV receiver's automatic speaker calibration

First, let's describe what auto setup systems do.

They send test tones to all the speakers and subwoofer, and use a microphone to pick up the sound of the speakers in your room. Auto setup systems determine speaker sizes and volume levels, set the subwoofer-to-satellite crossover frequency, measure distances from each of the speakers to the listener, and confirm that all of the speaker cables are correctly hooked up. Some receivers also use equalization to balance the frequency response of all the speakers.

Auto setup systems go by different names, but they all do approximately the same thing. Denon and Onkyo feature Audyssey; Sony has Digital Cinema Auto Calibration, Pioneer Multi Channel Acoustic Calibration, and Yamaha uses a Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

The exact positioning of the auto calibration microphone is crucial for achieving accurate results. Some auto setup systems work from just one mic position, which would be the primary spot where you sit when watching movies by yourself. Ideally the mic should be placed at the same height as your ears when you're sitting watching a movie.

If you have a camera tripod, use it to place the mic at ear height; perfectionists should move the couch entirely out of the way. Lacking a tripod place the mic on the back of the couch, atop the highest pillow.

Most auto setup systems work best with readings from three or more mic positions, usually starting from that central, "sweet spot," and then from the right and left sides of the seating area. Again, the mic should be placed as close to seated ear height as possible.

Before you get started running test tones, check that the interconnect cable running to the subwoofer is connected to the sub's "direct" or "LFE" input. If your only choice is Left or Right RCA inputs, that's fine, but make sure the sub's Low Pass/Crossover knob is turned up to the maximum setting. Turn the sub's volume control half way up. One more thing, most subs have 0/180 degree phase controls (some have continuously variable phase control knobs), but in any case, set the control to "0." (Check out my subwoofer setup guide for more in-depth sub tips.)

Check your speaker wiring.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

Also, make sure all of the speakers are wired "in-phase," meaning red/+ and black/- connections are consistent at the speaker and receiver ends. Some auto setup systems will check the wiring, but try to get it right in the first place.

When running the auto setup test tones, the room should be as quiet as possible, turn off your air conditioner, and shut all the windows and doors. It's a good idea to leave the room, so you avoid the annoying test tones and so you don't effect the results of the test.

Setup systems that equalize the speakers' frequency response, such as Audyssey, may need to be turned on or activated after running the auto setup, check the owner's manual. Don't assume the EQ-ed sound is better, listen to a few movies and CDs and see if you prefer the equalized sound. EQ systems frequently boost the subwoofer volume too much, so if you think the sub's too loud or low, feel free to either adjust the volume on the subwoofer itself, or via the receiver's manual setup menu.

If you're happy with the sound, you're done, if not, go ahead and recheck the settings in the manual speaker setup menus. While you're there confirm the speaker-to-listener distances are in the ballpark. Most systems are pretty good overall, but the sub-to-listener distance might be way out of whack. I've seen them mistake a 12-foot distance for 42 feet!

Then again, if you're at all technically inclined you might want to forgo the auto setup and tackle manual speaker setup. It's not very difficult, but you should use a sound pressure level meter, such as a Radio Shack 33-4050. You can probably do a better job than the auto setup.

[ca128]

Nice reminder to many Movie watchers who often have their receivers at default settings.

I disagree with "perfectionists should move the couch completely out of the way" - because the sofa and other room components affect the sound.

[ikramerica--2008]

Your speakers should be calibrated with all furniture and fixtures in place, because that is the listening environment. That is the only way that all the nuances of your listening environment can be accounted for. Moving them out of the way is a really bad suggestion. No perfectionist would do that, unless they know nothing about audio.

Well, if they're perfectionists, perhaps they remove all the furniture from the room, to create an acoustically neutral space, whenever they watch a movie. ;)

[jscott418]

I think everyone should just try the default settings before doing anything. Most people are not use to flat response. Most prefer more bass and mid range. I myself turned off room equalizing and had purchased speakers from the same manufacture in the same series of models. This provided a better sound and reduced any difference in sound output. I tend to think these setup microphones are not of high quality and may itself cause problems.

[woodygg]

these settings have little to do with bass, midrange, etc. it has to do with the volume of each speaker relative to the room, sitting position, etc. the quality of the microphone is irrelevant as it only measures sound levels (volume) - not sound quality. as long as the microphone can measure the volume level, that's all the matters.

[alegr]

Steve, you took the cardboard box out of the equation, but didn't get a point.

"Lacking a tripod place the mic on the back of the couch, atop the highest pillow." The mic should not ride on a surface that moves with air. Of course, the pillow kinda dampens it, but then it creates other effects. The mic should be suspended rigidly, and the tripod or other rigid stand is necessary.