Anthem ARC Manual

While equalizing frequency response in a room to achieve some
generic (i.e. “flat”) response is a common approach to solving the
problem, it will result in an unnatural spectral balance, since it
doesn’t take into account human hearing. Anthem’s approach is a
true audiophile solution: the ultra-high-resolution Anthem Room
Correction (ARC™) system actually adjusts for the room’s effects
on each speaker in a way that mimics our hearing to achieve
the optimal in-room sound. ARC™differs from other systems
in that it uses proprietary processing to compute each speaker’s
in-room frequency response and then computes a target frequency
response for each to yield the optimal in-room sound.
What makes the ARC™system better …
ARC™is unlike anything ever available. ARC™is a state-of-
the-art room correction system that analyzes each speaker in
the room independently, then sets output levels, crossover
frequencies and room correction parameters for each speaker. The
system includes Anthem®software with files for the individually
calibrated microphone and specific Anthem®A/V processor.
ARC™applies Correction for up to 7 Channels plus
Subwoofer, operating on all analog and digital sources at 44.1
kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz without reducing the bit rate.
ARC™applies Super-Efficient Infinite Impulse Response (IIR)
Filters in addition to Anthem’s Custom Filter Topology to
minimize delay and reduce processing gain noise. The
combination of limiting the widths of our IIR filters and applying our
topology means that any artifacts that might have resulted from the
filtering process are so small as to be inaudible.
ARC™allows for Multiple Microphone Measurements.
Most “Room EQ” methods work from a single point source,
taking one measurement at the primary listening position. ARC™
provides for multiple user-selected measurement points (we
suggest a minimum of five), beginning with a measurement at the
primary listening position and then moving across the listening
area. This process is critical in properly dealing with standing
waves and ensures optimal sound throughout the listening area.
Multiple Measurements and Ultra-High Resolution require
Enormous Processing Power. The AVM processor’s Digital
Signal Processing design uses twin DSP engines (each rated at
150 million instructions per second!)—enough power to handle
the ARC™system’s rigorous processing demands.
Unlike many “Room EQ”systems, ARC™applies Correction
to Peaks (modes) and Dips (anti-modes). Tackling both allows
us to achieve a far more accurate and natural room response.
And to limit the demands on the amplifier, as well as maximize
noise, ARC™applies appropriate limits to this correction.
ARC™is Ultra-Accurate! The connected PC’s 64-bit floating-
point processor does the hard work of calculating the correction
curves, which greatly minimizes rounding errors of a less
sophisticated “calculator”.
ARC™provides the ability to set Separate Music and Movie
Configurations. This allows for choosing different speaker
configurations, setting different crossover points, and allowing
separate measurements and correction curves to optimize both
music and movie listening experiences.
ARC™allows a Simple, Fully-Automated Procedure as well
as a Manual Mode with Advanced User functions, allowing the
user to manually set:
– Crossover frequencies;
– Level of room gain;
– Maximum “Room EQ” frequency.
ARC™and the “Surround Experience.” Surround and rear
speakers are often at a great disadvantage in the quest for good
sound due to the variety of less-than-ideal placement options
typically available. Not any more! ARC ensures surround/rear
speakers match perfectly with the main speakers for a seamless
surround experience.
COMING SOON! ARC-1 Anthem®Room Correction System
as an add-on for existing AVM 40’s and AVM 50’s. Contact
your Anthem®Dealer for more details.
For more information on award-winning Anthem®technology, visit our website at www.anthemAV.com
AVM 40 and AVM 50 Audio/Video Processors with …
ANTHEM®ROOM CORRECTION (ARC™) SYSTEM
“ARC is like nothing else I have experienced in terms of altering, for the better, a system’s sound.”
– Brian Florian, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity
Touted as the most important breakthrough in home audio in
decades, Anthem Room Correction (ARC), first available in our top-
of-the-line D2 a/v processor, is now available in other products and
price ranges across the Anthem lineup. More than any other “Room
EQ” system on the market, our proprietary ARC technology
accurately and effectively corrects the effects of a room's
boundaries and reflective surfaces on sound quality. Don't even
consider buying an audio/video processor without it!

Subwoofer Response:
Measured
Target
Calculated
20 50 100 200 500 1 2 5
80
75
70
65
60
55
Frequency (Hz/kHz)
20 50 100 200 500 1 2 5
Subwoofer – ARC™measures, calculates and corrects for the room’s standing waves.
The process starts when a test signal
is sent from the Anthem®processor to
each connected speaker and the
signal is picked up by the individually
calibrated microphone. The system
puts each speaker though a full
frequency sweep to highlight problem
areas and determine the necessary
adjustments. Configurations are saved
on a connected PC, allowing the user
to optimize the system for multiple
configurations for music and movies.
The optimized solutions are then
uploaded to the processor and all
levels, crossovers and room corrections
are put in place. ARC™can then be
turned on and off by source as well.
Truly an audiophile solution to the
problem of “the room”!
How does ARC™work?
“... Room Correction makes the best A/V processor available even better.”
– Daniel Kumin, Sound & Vision
“I was totally amazed by how much of an improvement the ARC made ... the difference was huge.”
– Ken Taraszka, AudioVideo Revolution
“No exaggeration ... the ARC demo may have been THE BEST multi-channel demo I’ve ever
heard at a trade show.”
– Residential Systems Magazine
“Taking measurements is the easy part. Knowing what to do with those
measurements (and having the processing power to do it!) is what
sets the ARC™system apart from other ‘Room EQ’ systems.”
– Anthem
®
Design Team
Look who’s talking about ARC™…
Anthem®and all associated patented and proprietary designs and
technologies are registered trademarks of Paradigm Electronics Inc.
Copyright © Paradigm Electronics Inc. All rights reserved.
We reserve the right to change specifications and/or features without
notice as design improvements are incorporated.www.anthemAV.com
ARC™in action …
ARC™microphone is positioned at seated ear level, pointed at the ceiling.
Left Front Speaker – ARC™measures, calculates and corrects for sound anomalies caused by room
boundaries and reflective surfaces.
80
75
70
65
60
55
Frequency (Hz/kHz)
Speaker Response:
Measured
Target
Calculated