RCA RTD217 User Manual - RTD217 - Page 9

RTD217 EN 3/1/07 5:21 PM Page 11 Better surround placement No adjacent walls Location Surround speakers can go on stands facing each If possible, place surround speakers to either side other to approximate sidewall mounting (A), or EN of the listening area, not behind it. to the sides or rear of the viewing area, aimed upwards; they can go right on the floor, or Height preferably, a few feet off the floor such as on end If space permits, install surround speakers 2-3 feet tables (B). above viewers. This helps to minimize localization effects. Aiming Aim surround speakers straight across the room, not down at viewers, to help create a more open, spacious surround sound field. Alternative Surround Placement Rear wall If rear wall mounting is the only choice, aim the speakers at each other (A), towards the front (B) or towards the sidewalls (C, D). Experiment with placement until sounds seem to surround you, rather than come from behind you. Test tone/Channel balance Channel balance Your receiver is equipped with a test signal generator for balancing the channels. As the signal "travels" from channel to channel, adjust the level controls until each channel plays at the same loudness level (see page 20). Level adjustment and surround channel level expectation Even though you adjust the surround channel to be as loud as the others on the test signal, on actual program material the surround channel is usually much lower than the front. Don't readjust the surround level; program producers use surround for subtle atmospherics and ambience, and only rarely for special effects. 5