Audyssey MultEQ Pro User manual

Audyssey MultEQ Pro User Guide
User Guide v4.0
© 2014 Audyssey Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1
Getting Started....................................................................................................................... 1
Important Safety Precautions ................................................................................................. 1
Audyssey Technologies Supported by MultEQ Pro ................................................................ 1
•Setup........................................................................................................................... 1
•MultEQ XT................................................................................................................... 1
•Dynamic EQ................................................................................................................. 1
•Dynamic Volume.......................................................................................................... 1
•Audyssey DSX (Dynamic Surround Expansion)........................................................... 1
The Audyssey Installer Kit.......................................................................................................... 2
Kit Components...................................................................................................................... 2
Previous Installer Kits............................................................................................................. 3
Software Installation and Configuration...................................................................................... 4
Installing MultEQ Pro - Main Setup......................................................................................... 4
Installing Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5................................................................................ 4
Installing MultEQ Pro.............................................................................................................. 5
Uninstalling MultEQ Pro ......................................................................................................... 5
Viewing the Setup Guide........................................................................................................ 5
Adding a Microphone File to MultEQ Pro................................................................................ 5
MultEQ Pro 3.6 & MultEQ Pro 4.0 .......................................................................................... 5
USB to RS232 Driver Installation............................................................................................ 6
Calibration Setup ....................................................................................................................... 7
Connecting the Installer Kit Components................................................................................ 7
Preparation of Audio Equipment............................................................................................. 8
Amplifier or Preamplifier Configuration................................................................................ 8
Subwoofer Configuration..................................................................................................... 9
Amplifiers............................................................................................................................ 9
Performing the Calibration ........................................................................................................10
Overview and Screen Sequence ...........................................................................................10
Welcome...............................................................................................................................11
Product Selection ..................................................................................................................12
Licenses and License Keys................................................................................................13

Serial Numbers..................................................................................................................13
Job Information......................................................................................................................14
Options..................................................................................................................................15
Room Dimensions.................................................................................................................18
Equipment Info......................................................................................................................19
Subwoofer Level Matching ....................................................................................................20
Measurement ........................................................................................................................22
Measuring the First Position...............................................................................................22
Measuring Subsequent Positions.......................................................................................23
Tips for Taking Measurements...........................................................................................24
More Measurement Features.............................................................................................25
Detection Results ..................................................................................................................26
Target Sound Options ...........................................................................................................28
Target Curve Designer and Target Curve Editor....................................................................30
The Target Curve Designer................................................................................................30
Using the Target Curve Editor............................................................................................31
Save Results.........................................................................................................................33
Audyssey Demonstration...................................................................................................34
Dynamic EQ Reference Level Offset..................................................................................34
Dynamic Volume Mode......................................................................................................34
Audyssey Settings.................................................................................................................35
•Dynamic Volume Preset..............................................................................................35
•Audyssey Demonstration............................................................................................35
Calibration Complete.............................................................................................................36
Calibration Wrap-up..................................................................................................................36
Appendix...................................................................................................................................37
Register on the Audyssey Installer Website...........................................................................37
Audyssey Registered Installer............................................................................................37
Installer-Ready Product Features..........................................................................................39
Audyssey Laboratories.......................................................................................................39
Denon Electronics..............................................................................................................40
Integra ...............................................................................................................................42
NAD...................................................................................................................................43

Onkyo Corporation.............................................................................................................43
Marantz..............................................................................................................................44
Audyssey Recommended Demos..........................................................................................45
Error Messages.....................................................................................................................46
Device Not Connected Error ..............................................................................................46
Input Signal Too Low .........................................................................................................46
USB Connection Failure (Connection Time Out)................................................................46
Polarity Errors....................................................................................................................47
Disconnect Microphone......................................................................................................47
Technical Support .................................................................................................................48
Warranties.............................................................................................................................48
Audyssey Installer Kit.........................................................................................................48
Trademarks...............................................................................................................................48
© 2014 Audyssey Laboratories, Inc.

1
Introduction
Audyssey Installer-Ready Products support professional calibration using the MultEQ®Pro PC
application and the Audyssey Installer Kit. Installers bring the Installer Kit and a laptop to an
installation site, run the MultEQ Pro application, perform measurements, and transfer
MultEQ XT filters from the laptop to the Audyssey Installer-Ready Product. The steps for
completing this installation are described in detail in this User Guide.
Getting Started
•Register on the Audyssey Installer Website to get the latest software and documentation.
See the appendix, Register on the Audyssey Installer Website (Page 37).
•Install the MultEQ Pro software on the computer to be used for calibration before going to
the job. See Software Installation and Configuration (Page 4).
•Purchase a license key for the product, if required. See Licenses and License Keys (Page
13).
Important Safety Precautions
Please review the product’s owner’s manual in detail to ensure safe operation before calibrating
with MultEQ Pro.
•Do not cascade other devices between the microphone preamp and the Audyssey Installer-
Ready Product. Permanent damage may occur to each piece of equipment.
•Do not connect the calibrated microphone to the product’s microphone input until
instructed. Doing so before passing the Product Selection screen (Page 12), could cause
microphone feedback at levels that will damage the speakers.
Audyssey Technologies Supported by MultEQ Pro
•Setup – MultEQ Pro measures the speaker system and calculates trims, delays, and
suggested bass management settings based on the in-room acoustic response.
•MultEQ XT– This technology automatically customizes your home theater system to
overcome the acoustical problems specific to your room. An optimized audio system
provides the most clear and balanced sound possible. It is the basis for the rest of
Audyssey’s technologies. http://www.audyssey.com/technologies/multeq
•Dynamic EQ – As the volume is turned up or down, Audyssey Dynamic EQ maintains
consistent bass response, tonal balance, and surround
impression. http://www.audyssey.com/technologies/dynamic-eq
•Dynamic Volume – This technology controls volume levels to eliminate spikes and raise
soft dialog for more enjoyable television and movie
viewing. http://www.audyssey.com/technologies/dynamic-volume
•Audyssey DSX (Dynamic Surround Expansion) – Delivering 7.1, 9.1 and 11.1 surround
sound to your home theater. Audyssey DSX expands surround sound beyond 5.1 with more
speakers for an incredibly immersive and realistic home theater
experience. http://www.audyssey.com/technologies/dsx

2
The Audyssey Installer Kit
Kit Components
MultEQ Pro Application CD and Setup Guide
The MultEQ Pro Application and User Guide may be found on the
enclosed CD. A printed Setup Guide is included in the Installer Kit.
Calibrated Microphone and Microphone Stand
Each microphone is calibrated by Audyssey and comes with a custom
calibration curve that matches the microphone to a high-precision ¼”
reference microphone. The calibration curve for the microphone is
stored on the MultEQ Pro application CD included with the kit.
Calibrated Preamplifier
This microphone preamplifier provides phantom power to the
microphone and applies fixed gain amplification to the microphone
signal. It has no external controls.
Warning: Only use the supplied Audyssey Calibrated Preamplifier. Do not use
any other microphone preamplifier.
Microphone Mini-XLR Cables
The Installer Kit contains three 25 ft. mini-XLR cables. The cables are
used to connect the microphone, preamp and Audyssey Installer-Ready
Product. The cables can be linked together to provide 75 feet of length.
Additional mini-XLR cables may be purchased separately and
connected together for longer lengths.
For products with a balanced microphone input, place the longest
length of cable between the preamplifier and the product. For products
with an unbalanced (RCA) microphone input, place the longest length of
cable between the microphone and the preamplifier.
RCA to Mini-XLR Adapter
If necessary, use this adapter to connect the mini-XLR cable to the
proper input on the Audyssey Installer-Ready Product.

3
USB to RS232 Serial Cable
Audyssey Installer-Ready Products with RS232 communication may be
connected to the laptop running the MultEQ Pro application using this
cable. If the laptop already has an RS232 serial communication port, a
standard RS232 cable (not supplied) may be used.
10 ft. USB Cable
Audyssey Installer-Ready Products with USB communication may be
connected to the laptop using the 10 ft. USB cable.
A longer cable (up to 16ft.), repeating extension cable or USB-over-
CAT5 adapter set may be substituted if the laptop must be situated
farther than 10 feet from the Audyssey Installer-Ready Product.
Previous Installer Kits
Items from previous versions of the Audyssey Installer Kit, such as the Audyssey MM01 Professional Calibration
Microphone, can still be used for calibration with newer versions of MultEQ Pro as long as the microphone calibration
file is copied into the new MultEQ Pro installation folder.

4
Software Installation and Configuration
Installing MultEQ Pro - Main Setup
Insert the MultEQ Pro CD into the computer’s CD-ROM drive. The
Windows Auto Run feature should automatically launch the MultEQ Pro
Main Setup application shown in the sidebar. If it does not, launch the
setup program manually by using Windows Explorer to browse the
CD-ROM drive. Double click on the file setup.exe.
There are four options to choose from in the MultEQ Pro Main Setup
window (depending on the status of necessary installations). Click on the
text to begin the operation desired.
•Install Microsoft .NET (Shown only if .NET Framework 4.5 is not
detected)
•Install MultEQ Pro (Will prompt for installation of .NET Framework)
•Uninstall MultEQ Pro (Shown only if MultEQ Pro is already installed)
•MultEQ Pro Setup Guide
•Add Microphone File to MultEQ Pro (Shown only if MultEQ Pro is
already installed)
Installing Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 must be installed before installing,
uninstalling or running the MultEQ Pro software. The Microsoft .NET
Framework is a software component that can be added to the Microsoft
Windows operating system.
The .NET Framework 4.5 installation program can be launched by
clicking the link on the MultEQ Pro Main Setup screen. This option is not
displayed if the setup program detects that .NET Framework 4.5 or later
is already installed.
It is highly recommended that Windows Update is run after installation of
.NET Framework 4.5 in order to receive the latest service packs and
security updates from Microsoft. This is typically found on the Windows
Start Menu under All Programs.
Figure 1 - Install Microsoft .NET
Framework

5
Installing MultEQ Pro
Click “Install MultEQ Pro” to begin the installation wizard (Figure 2). The
software installation program will guide you through the MultEQ Pro
application setup. The Audyssey End-User License Agreement (EULA)
must be accepted to continue with installation of the MultEQ Pro
application (Figure 3). Select the location where the application will be
installed (Figure 4).
Once the MultEQ Pro installation is complete, the software application
will appear in the “Audyssey Labs” folder on the Windows Start menu
Repeat the MultEQ Pro installation for each laptop to be used for
installations.
Uninstalling MultEQ Pro
A dialog with a progress bar will appear as the MultEQ Pro application is
uninstalled. The dialog will disappear once the uninstallation is complete.
Viewing the Setup Guide
An electronic version of the MultEQ Pro Setup Guide is available to view
at any time during the setup.
Adding a Microphone File to MultEQ Pro
If more than one installer kit has been purchased, it is highly
recommended the microphone calibration file from each of your MultEQ
Pro CDs be installed on each company laptop used for installation. This
allows measurement microphones to be shared and used with any
company laptop.
The “Copied One File” window will be displayed after each microphone
calibration file is successfully copied to the laptop (Figure 5).
It is important to have the matching microphone calibration file,
microphone and preamp. Each microphone and preamplifier set is
measured by Audyssey and the calibration file stored on the installation
CD of the installer kit.
Registered Installers may retrieve lost microphone calibration files
through the Audyssey Installer Website.
MultEQ Pro 3.6 & MultEQ Pro 4.0
MultEQ Pro 3.6 is necessary for all installer ready receivers made prior to
2014. MultEQ Pro 4.0 has been updated for use with all receivers made
in 2014 and later.
Figure 2 - Install MultEQ Pro
Figure 3 - Accept the EULA
Figure 4 - Select Installation
Folder
Figure 5 - Adding a Microphone
File

6
USB to RS232 Driver Installation
Some Installer-Ready Products connect to the laptop using an RS232
(serial COM port) connection. If the computer is not equipped with such a
port, use the USB to RS232 connector provided in the Audyssey Installer
Kit.
A driver CD is provided with the cable, the driver for the USB to RS232
adapter is located on the RS232 cable Installation disc. Microsoft Vista
will display a prompt requiring installation of the driver (Figure 6).
Select the option, “Locate and install driver software (recommended)”.
A new window will prompt for the disc that came with the USB Serial
Controller (Figure 7). Insert the RS232 Cable CD. Choose the option,
“Don’t Search Online” (Figure 8) as the driver is included on the RS232
Cable CD and a driver found online may not be compatible.
If a Windows Security warning appears stating that the publisher cannot
be verified, select, “Install this driver software anyway” (Figure 9).
Once the installation is complete, MultEQ Pro may be used with the USB
to RS232 adapter. It is only necessary to perform this procedure once on
each PC.
Figure 6 - Locate and Install
Driver Software
Figure 7 - Insert the MultEQ Pro
Setup Disc
Figure 8 - Select "Don't search
online"
Figure 9 - Windows Security -
Select "Install this driver
software anyway"

7
Calibration Setup
This section describes how to set up the equipment to perform a calibration.
Connecting the Installer Kit Components
A Connect a mini-XLR cable to the microphone.
B Place the microphone stand upright and extend the boom arm. Attach the microphone holder to the
end of the boom arm. Insert the microphone into the holder so it points to the ceiling.
B
A

8
C Connect the mini-XLR cable from the microphone to the input (MIC IN) of the microphone preamp.
D Connect another mini-XLR cable to the output (LINE OUT)of the mic preamp. Connect the mini-XLR-
to-RCA adapter to this mini-XLR cable if required by the product being calibrated.
E Prepare to connect the mini-XLR-to-RCA adaptor to the audio input that will be used for microphone
signal but Do not connect it yet. Doing so before completing the Product Selection screen of the
MultEQ Pro application might cause microphone feedback at levels that could damage the speakers
(Page 12).
F Connect the laptop to the Installer-Ready Product using the USB cable, an RS232 cable or the
supplied USB to RS232 adapter.
Provide enough slack so that the cable will not be disconnected accidentally during calibration. An
accidental disconnection usually requires the user to restart the entire process.
It is not advised to substitute a different USB to RS232 cable than the one included in the Installer Kit.
However, an active extension or hub may be used to extend USB length.
G Connect the AC adapter and Power cable to the preamplifier.
Preparation of Audio Equipment
Amplifier or Preamplifier Configuration
Set the Amp Assign, Pre-out Assign, XLR Out Polarity and Subwoofer Configuration in the
receiver or preamplifier menus as necessary. This must be done before calibration start;
speakers disabled in the Amp Assign will not show in MultEQ Pro. If these settings are changed
C
E
MIC IN
D

9
after completing the MultEQ Pro calibration, MultEQ XT cannot be enabled and the calibration
will have to be performed again with the new settings.
Subwoofer Configuration
Configure the input of each subwoofer to disable or bypass any low-pass filter present. This
might be accomplished with a switch or by using a different input (sometimes labeled “LFE” or
THX). If the low-pass filter cannot be defeated, turn it to its maximum frequency or THX setting.
Bypassing the low-pass filter gives MultEQ Pro the most flexibility in calculating filters and
crossover values. This will provide the best blend between satellite and subwoofer speakers.
Any subwoofer gain controls should be set to their nominal settings, such as at the THX position
or at 12 o’clock on a conventional level control.
Phase or polarity controls, if they exist, should be set to 0° or “normal.”
Disable any “Auto,” “Standby” or “Sleep” mode that may turn off the power to the subwoofer if
no signal is received. This will ensure that the subwoofer is always on and ready to output the
MultEQ test signal. Failure to disable this mode could mute the beginning of the test signal,
giving inaccurate subwoofer measurements.
Amplifiers
Turn on all amplifiers, disabling any “Auto,” “Standby” or “Sleep” mode if applicable. If a gain
control is present, turn it to its “THX” setting, if applicable.

10
Performing the Calibration
Overview and Screen Sequence
The MultEQ Pro application consists of a series of screens leading the user through the
calibration process.
A The MultEQ Pro version number is listed at the top right of the screen.
B The sequence of screens is listed in the left column of the application to help track
progress. This sequence may be different depending on the product selected in the
“Product Selection” screen.
The current screen is highlighted in bold within the list.
C Move forward and backward through the screens by clicking the “◄” (back) and “►”
(forward) buttons on each screen.
D The Product Selection, Job Information, Options and Zone Configuration screens are
used only once during a session.
E The remaining screens are encountered once for each zone that is calibrated.
C
Product Selection
Job Information
Options
Zone Configuration
Room Dimensions
Equipment Info
Measurement
Detection Results
Target Sound Options
Save Results
D
E
B
A

11
Welcome
The Welcome screen is displayed upon starting the MultEQ Pro application. Click the
“►” button to continue.

12
Product Selection
1. Choose the product being calibrated from the list of Installer-Ready Products. Make sure the
communication cable (USB, RS232 or Ethernet) is connected and press the “►” button.
2. Products that require additional connection information will display one or more dialogs
prompting the user to enter the required information or select a configuration. For RS232-
connected products, this will include the COM port. For Ethernet connected products, this
will include the IP address. Consult the Appendix or the specific product’s Owner’s Manual
for more information.
3. If the product being calibrated requires a License Key, the dialog in Figure 10 will be
displayed. A valid License Key must be entered in order to continue with the calibration.

13
Figure 10 - Enter License Key
Licenses and License Keys
A license to calibrate an Audyssey Installer-Ready Product may be purchased on the Audyssey
Installer Web Site. Purchasing the license does not immediately associate that license with an
individual Audyssey Installer-Ready Product. Instead, the license exists as a credit in the user’s
account until it is associated with a specific Audyssey Installer-Ready Product by entering that
products’ serial number. Once this is accomplished, the product with the associated serial
number is licensed for its lifetime, and a License Key may be generated at any time. The
License Key informs the software that the specific product attached to the computer has been
associated with a license.
Serial Numbers
The “Enter License Key”dialog will display the serial number of the connected product. In some
cases, the MAC address and model number of the product are used instead of the serial
number. In all cases, the Serial Number entered on the Audyssey Installer Website must match
exactly the Device Serial field shown in this dialog.

14
Job Information
Fill in the “Customer or Job Name” field. This information will help identify calibration
results uploaded to the Audyssey Installer Website.
Enter your name in the “Technician’s Name” field.

15
Options
Figure 11 - Microphone and Preamp Serial Number
From the “Microphone” list, select the serial number that matches the microphone to be
used for the calibration (Figure 11). See Adding a Microphone File to MultEQ Pro (Page 5)
for instructions on installing additional microphone calibration files. In MultEQ Pro 4 click
the ‘Add…’ button to add a microphone.

16
Zone Configuration
Some Audyssey Installer-Ready Products allow calibration of channels in different zones, while
others only allow calibration of the channels in the main zone (Figure 12). Zone Configuration
options will be displayed according to the capabilities of the Product.
Figure 12 - Zone Configuration for Main Zone