PREPARATIONS

Placing speakers in your room

Depending on the number of speakers, place the speakers and subwoofer in your room. This section describes the representative speaker layout examples.

To have a full effect of Dolby Atmos contents, we recommend using a speaker system with a ★ mark. However, you can also play back Dolby Atmos contents with the 7.1 system (using surround back speakers).
To have a full effect of DTS:X contents, we recommend using a speaker system with a ★ mark.
(About the number of channels) For example, “5.1.2” denotes “standard 5.1-channel plus 2 for overhead speaker channels”. For details on how to place overhead speakers (presence speakers), see Presence speaker layout.

7.1/5.1.2 system [★] (using both surround back and front presence speakers)

This speaker system brings out the full performance of the unit and allows you to enjoy a highly-natural 3-dimensional sound field with any contents.

The surround back speakers and presence speakers do not produce sounds simultaneously. The unit automatically changes the speakers to be used, depending on the input signal and CINEMA DSP ().
When using front presence speakers installed to the ceiling or when using the Dolby Enabled speakers as the presence speakers, configure the “Layout (Front Presence)” setting in the “Setup” menu before performing YPAO ().

5.1.2 system [★] (using front presence speakers)

This speaker system uses the front presence speakers to produce a natural 3-dimensional sound field, and also creates Virtual Surround Back Speaker (VSBS) using the surround speakers to add a sense of depth to the rear sound field. This system is suited for enjoying not only 5.1-channel but also for 7.1-channel contents.

When using front presence speakers installed to the ceiling or when using the Dolby Enabled speakers as the presence speakers, configure the “Layout (Front Presence)” setting in the “Setup” menu before performing YPAO ().

7.1 system (using surround back speakers)

This speaker system creates Virtual Presence Speaker (VPS) using the front, center and surround speakers to produce a 3-dimensional sound field, and also allows you to enjoy extended surround sounds using the surround back speakers.

5.1 system

You can enjoy surround sound even without the center speaker (4.1 system).

5.1 system (front 5.1-channel) (using surround speakers)

We recommend using this speaker system when you cannot place speakers in the rear side of the room.

When placing surround speakers in the front side, set “Layout (Surround)” in the “Setup” menu to “Front” before performing YPAO ().

5.1 system (front 5.1-channel) (using front presence speakers)

We recommend using this speaker system when you cannot place speakers in the rear side of the room.

2.1 system

Add the center speaker to configure a 3.1 system.

Presence speaker layout

The unit provides three layout patterns for presence speakers (Front Height, Overhead and Dolby Enabled SP). Choose a layout pattern that suits your listening environment.

You can enjoy Dolby Atmos, DTS:X or Cinema DSP 3D with any layout pattern.

Front Height

Install the presence speakers on the front side wall.

It delivers a natural sound field with excellent linkage of left, right, top and bottom sound spaces, and sound extensity effectively.

Overhead

Install the presence speakers to the ceiling above the listening position.

It delivers realistic overhead sound effects and sound field with excellent linkage of front and rear sound spaces effectively.

For details on the installation position of ceiling speakers, see Notes on installation of ceiling speakers.

Dolby Enabled SP

Use the Dolby Enabled speakers as the presence speakers.

It utilizes sounds reflected from ceiling and lets you enjoy overhead sounds only from speakers that are placed at the same level as traditional speakers.

Place the Dolby Enabled speakers on top of or near the traditional front speakers. A Dolby Enabled speaker unit may be integrated into a traditional speaker. For details, refer to the instruction manual of the Dolby Enabled speakers.

Notes on installation of ceiling speakers

When installing presence speakers to a ceiling, install them just above the listening position, or the ceiling between the extensions of the front speakers and listening position.

Caution

Be sure to use speakers that are made for ceiling use and take anti-drop measures. Ask a qualified contractor or dealer personnel for installation works.

Connecting speakers

Connect the speakers placed in your room to the unit.

Precaution for connecting of the speaker cables

Improper connecting of the speaker cables may cause short circuit and also damage the unit or the speakers.

Remove the unit’s power cable from an AC wall outlet and turn off the subwoofer before connecting the speakers.
Twist the bare wires of the speaker cables firmly together.
Do not let the bare wires of the speaker cable touch one another.
Do not let the bare wires of the speaker cable come into contact with the unit’s metal parts (rear panel and screws).

If “Check SP Wires” appear on the front display when the unit is turned on, turn off the unit, and then check the speaker cables short circuit.

Speakers to be connected

Speaker type	Speaker system (the number of channels)
Speaker type	7.1/5.1.2	5.1	2.1
Front (L/R) 12	⚫	⚫	⚫
Center 3	⚫	⚫
Surround (L/R) 45	⚫	⚪*3
Surround back (L/R) 67	⚪*1
Front presence (L/R) ER	⚪*2	⚪*4
Subwoofer 9	⚫	⚫	⚫

If you have nine speakers, you can use the both surround back speakers and front presence speakers. In this case, the unit automatically changes the speakers to be used, depending on the input signal and CINEMA DSP.

If you have seven speakers, use two of them as surround back speakers (*1) or front presence speakers (*2).

If you have five speakers, use two of them as surround speakers (*3) or front presence speakers (*4).

You can also connect up to 2 subwoofers (with built-in amplifier) to the unit.
When apply this speaker configuration, set Power Amp Assign to “Basic” (default).

Cables required for connection (commercially available)

Speaker cables (the number of speakers)

Audio pin cable (two for connecting two subwoofers)

Connection diagram

Refer to the following diagram and connect the speakers to the unit.

The illustrations of the unit (rear) used in this section are of the RX‑V781.

When using only one surround back speaker, connect it to the SINGLE jack (L side).

Connecting speaker cables

Speaker cables have two wires. One is for connecting the negative (-) terminal of the unit and the speaker, and the other is for the positive (+) terminal. If the wires are colored to prevent confusion, connect the black wire to the negative and the other wire to the positive terminal.

Remove approximately 10 mm (3/8”) of insulation from the ends of the speaker cable and twist the bare wires of the cable firmly together.
Loosen the speaker terminal.
Insert the bare wires of the cable into the gap on the side (upper right or bottom left) of the terminal.
Tighten the terminal.

Using a banana plug

(U.S.A., Canada, China, Australia, Taiwan, Brazil and General models only)

Tighten the speaker terminal.
Insert a banana plug into the end of the terminal.

Push-type speaker terminals

(RX‑V681 only)

Remove approximately 10 mm (3/8”) of insulation from the ends of the speaker cable, and twist the bare wires of the cable firmly together.
Press down the tab.
Insert the bare wires of the cable into the hole in the terminal.
Release the tab.

Connecting the subwoofer

Use an audio pin cable to connect the subwoofer.

1Connecting speakers

Basic speaker configuration