Ypao and vtf3 series

[tomes]

I have pre-ordered the vtf3-mk2, and will be getting the yamaha rx-v1400, and was wondering how to set it up in the best way, when using YPAO.

I.e. what volume levels on the sub, receiver etc.

I'm a n00b at this stuff, and want to be prepared the day all my toys arrive :)

Thanks!

[Sorny]

If YPAO acts anything like MCACC in my Elite, then you plug everything in, set the gain on the VTF-3 to about 1/4 to 1/3 volume, and begin calibration. You'll want the subwoofer gain in the receiver somewhere around the 0 point when it is all done, so you might have to adjust the gain on the sub to get it just right.

Run a RCA cable from the subwoofer pre-out on the receiver to the left input on the VTF-3 (you may or may not want a splitter to use the L and R input on VTF-3).

You will also likely want to set all speakers as "small" in the receiver menu. Large does not mean a physically big speaker, it means a FULL range speaker (20Hz-20KHz). The number of true full range speakers can be counted on your fingers and toes with a few fingers left over. I like the 80Hz THX style crossover, but depending on your mains, 60Hz might work better. Regardless, running as "small" will allow the one speaker that is designed to play bass (the VTF-3) to do it, and this will free up power for the other channels and also clear up midrange and lower distortion as bass takes the most power to make.

Sorny

[tomes]

Great, I hope it is similar, since a lot more people has experience with mcacc than ypao at this point :)

Thanks!

[joema]

I have an RX-V1400, Axiom M60ti/VP150/QS8 with a Hsu STF-2. As already described you just hook up the speakers, and run YPAO. Beforehand make sure the Hsu internal crossover is "out" (not in effect), and the sub volume is at about 1/3.

Be prepared the RX-V1400 menu system is quite unintuitive, so it make take a while to learn it. Make sure you have a TV monitor connected to the receiver video monitor output, as this makes menu navigation easier (better than the 1-line display on the receiver itself).

Rather than run YPAO in full automatic mode, it's better to run it in "step" mode where it pauses after each testing step and lets you examine the results of the previous test.

Just because YPAO makes certain selections doesn't mean they are optimal, and you may want to override them when finished. E.g, when I had Axiom M22tis, it identified them as "large", despite being bookshelf speakers. Likewise YPAO sometimes selected a 160Hz bass crossover. I lowered it to 80Hz.

Afterward press the "speaker level" button on the remote to verify what levels were set. If the sub level is, say, +2db, that indicates bass output was a little weak and the receiver boosted the signal to compensate. In that case turn up the sub vol a little and re-run YPAO.

If sub level is -2 or -3 db, bass output was a little strong and the receiver attenuated it; turn down the sub vol a little and re-run YPAO. Ideally you'd see 0db, but it's not that exact or necessary to hit 0db.

Some people report YPAO sets bass output too low for their taste. Whether it's really too low or they were previously accustomed to bass levels too high, I don't know. To my ear it seems to set bass a little low, although I haven't cross checked it with a sound meter yet.

If YPAO puts sub level at -2 or -3db and if you like a little more bass, just put the receiver bass level at 0db to remove the bass attenuation. Or after YPAO is finished, turn up the bass volume knob a little.

[tomes]

Joe, thanks a lot! when you say 're-run the test', do I have to start from scratch, or is it possible to only rerun certain 'sections'?

Thanks!

-Tom

[joema]

You can select the specific tests to run, e.g, wiring, distance, size, equalization, or level. After changing subwoofer volume, you'd probably re-run the level check.

[tomes]

Cool, thanks, I appreciate it!

-Tom