Harman Kardon AVP-1A Owners Manual - Page 23

AVP1A User Features The AVP1A incorporates a number of operational features which have been designed to enhance the performance and versatility of your home surround audio system. An explanation of the features and their uses follows each feature listing. VARIABLE BASS EQUALIZATION: This rotary control located to the left of the input gain control, allows boost of bass frequencies to compensate for the bass rolloff of most full range loudspeakers in the 30 to 70 Hz range. The total amount of boost available is + 17 dB over a relatively narrow range to avoid adding "chestiness" to the sound of voices. Normally, only a small amount of boost should be used to avoid overloading both the power amplifier and the speaker. Bass EQ is only available on the front subwoofer outputs and the main left and right front channels (when the THX electronic crossover is disengaged). The full counterclockwise setting is off. Clockwise rotation introduces boost. As boost is turned up, the center point of the boost range is moved up. As an example, a positioning between the 8 and 9 o'clock setting on the control may deliver maximum boost about 35-40 Hz while a 12 o'clock setting will move the area of maximum boost up to about 50-60 Hz. If you are using THX-certified subwoofers, or other high quality subwoofer systems, little, if any, boost will be required once proper output levels are established. SIBILANT FILTER: This function accessible via the remote control, engages special circuitry which minimizes crosstalk in the surround channels caused by speech sibilants but without causing loss of high frequency detail. An indicator light on the front panel indicates when the sibilant filter is engaged. Use the sibilant filter whenever you hear sibilant sounds from dialog present in the surround channel. RE-EQUALIZATION CURVE: This circuit is a part of the AVP1A Home THX control system but is sometimes useful with other program sources. It can be manually switched in when using other surround parameters besides Home THX Cinema. When Home THX Cinema is selected the ReEqualization filter is automatically engaged. An indicator light on the front panel indicates when the Re-Equalization filter is engaged. A motion picture sound track may sound "bright" in the home because the original equalization curve was designed for farfield listening and for special equalization that is standardized in the film industry. The Re-Equalization circuitry compensates for those differences and restores normal spectral balance for the near-field listening environment of the home. THX ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER: The AVP1A has a builtin electronic crossover especially designed for use with Home THX -certified loudspeaker systems. It may also offer excellent results with other subwoofer/satellite speaker systems. Consult with the manufacturer of the speaker system. The crossover frequency of the electronic crossover is centered at 80 Hz. A switch on the rear panel of the AVP1A engages the crossover. When disengaged, the left and right front channel audio outputs operate full range but the subwoofer outputs still remain active. SURROUND ELECTRONIC CROSSOVER: Some listeners may prefer some bass extension in the surround channel particularly with some music surround settings The main surround outputs have a rolloff below 80 Hz at 12 dB/octave. A mono subwoofer surround output is provided. A small woofer (8" to 10") with a response to 40-50 Hz may be desirable for use in some environments. A switch on the rear 20