Pioneer VSX-AX3-S User Manual

Page of 104
Setting Up for Surround Sound
41
En
SURROUND SETUP
Channel Level
The following steps show you how to balance the sound output level of your speakers. Proper speaker balance is 
essential for obtaining high quality surround sound. If continuing from SPEAKER SETTING go to step 1. If starting 
fresh, complete steps 1–2 on page 38.
1 CHANNEL LEVEL should be selected. If it 
isn’t use the 
 buttons to select and 
press ENTER.
2 There are two ways to set the CHANNEL 
LEVEL: MANUAL or AUTO. Select a 
setting mode with the 
 buttons and 
press ENTER.
Test tones will be output.
WARNING: Be prepared! The test tones are output at a 
high volume level.
MASTER VOLUME rotates to the reference position (0 dB) and 
the display on the receiver flashes TEST TONE. After a few 
seconds the test tone is output.
MANUAL: move the test tone manually and adjust the chan-
nel level.
AUTO: the test tone moves by itself and you adjust the levels.
3 Adjust the speaker level with the 
instructions below for the method you 
chose.
Adjust the channel level from –10 dB to +10 dB in 0.5 dB 
increments.
The default setting is 0 dB.
In MANUAL (manual test tone) mode
To switch the test tone between each speaker use the 
 
buttons and push ENTER. Adjust the level of each speaker 
using the 
 buttons and ENTER. When done go to step 4.
In AUTO (automatic test tone) mode
This mode switches the test tone between each speaker auto-
matically. The test tone output cycles through the speakers in 
the following order:
Adjust the level of each speaker using the 
 buttons as the 
test tone is emitted and wait for it to move to the next speaker. 
When done go to step 5.
If you want to change a setting before proceeding you 
need to complete the procedure and start over from step 1.
4 When you have the levels you want 
press ENTER. EXIT should be selected (if 
it isn’t select it with the 
 buttons).
5 Press ENTER.
Next, proceed to SPEAKER DISTANCE next page.
Speaker Distance
Left
Right
Left
Right
1
2
3
1-5
in AUTO setting
in MANUAL setting
Memo:
• If your subwoofer has a volume control, 
set it to the middle position before doing 
these operations.
• If you are using a Sound Pressure Level 
(SPL) meter take the readings from your 
main listening position and adjust the 
level of each speaker to 75dB SPL (C-
weighting/slow reading).
• The volume of the subwoofer test tone 
tends to sound lower than it actually is. 
You may need to adjust the level after 
testing your system with an actual 
soundtrack.
• You can also set the channel level 
manually at any time by pressing 
RECEIVER then EFFECT/CH SEL on the 
remote control. Use the (+/–) buttons 
directly below the EFFECT/CH SEL button 
to adjust the level.
00_VSX-AX3.book  Page 41  Monday, May 19, 2003  1:05 PM