STR-DN1080 Calibration Matching

[outpost33]

After auto cal is performed, the receiver offers an option for calibration matching. The feature is not well described in the manual:

Yes: Expands the sweet spot for the viewing position and allows you to enjoy more natural sound by trimming the wavefront for each pair of left/right speakers.

Can anyone explain in more detail exactly what this function is intended to do? Is it some kind of single-point equivalent of multi-point calibration, where several measurments are taken to create a better result over a wider area?

The feature cannot be switched on or off after calibration is performed, so it's difficult to do a direct a/b comparison. You have to run auto cal again in order to enable/disable it, which is frankly quite an odd interface choice.

[outpost33]

@grolschie, couldn't agree more. Without wishing to cast doubt upon any of the contributors here, I would still like to hear from a Sony engineer with a precise definition of the feature and commentary on why it is that it cannot be turned on or off without running through a fresh calibration.

[The_Black_Rose]

Hi Outpost33 and Grolschie,

I've done some research online and I found that the term trim is used for fine tuning and balancing things out. I think the feature does the same thing.

The idea of changing the settings at the same time is actually brilliant. I will try passing this feedback on to Sony.

Cheers,

The_Black_Rose

[outpost33]

@EdwinaU:

Was there any more feedback from Sony engineers on what this feature does, and how it does it? We have a general idea from other users, but it would be good to have a definitive technical explanation.

We would also like to request a feature for the next firmware update: the ability to turn Calibration Matching on or off without having to run auto calibration every time.

Many thanks for your help!

[grolschie]

+1 on adding this setting to the settings menu in a firmware update, please. One should not have to recalibrate the receiver just to switch that setting. I'm sure many owners would appreciate this.

[grolschie]

2 weeks, and no further info from Sony.

[outpost33]

Yes, it would be nice if we at least got a reply.

[grolschie]

Well, this thread certainly died without a definitive response from Sony or any changes made to the firmware.

Anyway reach a conclusion regarding whether this feature is best enabled or disabled?

[Win_88]

Hi

The calibration matching function is relevant for installations where speakers from different brands are used.
 
Choosing the option will enable the system to measure main speakers sound signature to adapt the other speakers signals by advancing or delaying their phase
to achieve same or similar sound signature as the main speakers on all speakers.
 
It is not recommended to use the feature when using speakers from the same brand.

Win_88

[grolschie]

@Win_88 thanks. Any reduction in sampling frequency when using this setting? And why is it not available from the system menu besides after rerunning the calibration process?

[Win_88]

@grolschie

I don't think there will be any compromise unless the speakers you connect are vastly different in out levels, which isn't recommended anyway. It's odd that the option disappears from the menu. I don't think it should do that, so I'll send some feedback to Sony about it. I imagine you can get it back if you reset the settings though. Which I know isn't ideal, but it's something.

Win_88