Room Correction Setup
Prepare the room, microphone positions, crossovers, and subwoofer level before calibration.
Added June 2026
What this guide helps you decide
Room correction can improve levels, distances, crossovers, and tonal balance, but it works best after placement basics are already handled.
Good calibration is a process: place gear, quiet the room, measure carefully, review the results, then make small manual corrections when needed.
Quick checks
- Place speakers and subwoofer before running calibration.
- Use a tripod or stand for the microphone.
- Keep the room quiet during measurements.
- Review crossover and speaker size settings afterward.
Prepare before measuring
Move speakers, set toe-in, choose the subwoofer location, and clear obvious rattles before starting room correction.
Calibration should fine-tune a workable room, not compensate for speakers hidden in furniture or a subwoofer placed only for convenience.
Use the microphone correctly
Place the calibration microphone at seated ear height on a tripod or stand. Do not hold it in your hand or rest it on a couch cushion.
Measure around the main listening area according to your receiver's instructions. Keep positions realistic; measuring an entire sectional can dilute the result for the main seat.
Set subwoofer gain sensibly
Start the subwoofer volume around the manufacturer's recommended setup point or around the middle of its range if no guidance is provided.
If room correction returns an extreme subwoofer trim, adjust the sub's physical gain and rerun the measurement.
Review crossovers
Many systems work well with speakers set to small and an 80 Hz crossover. Small satellite speakers may need 100-120 Hz, while capable towers can sometimes use 60 Hz.
Avoid full-range settings unless you have a specific reason. Bass management usually improves clarity and protects speakers.
Listen after calibration
After calibration, play familiar dialogue, music, and bass-heavy content. Check that voices stay centered, bass supports the room without booming, and surround effects do not pull attention to one speaker.
Small manual level changes are normal, especially for the center channel and subwoofer.
Common questions
Should I run room correction before or after moving speakers?
After. Move speakers and the subwoofer into their best practical positions first, then calibrate.
Should all speakers be set to large?
Usually no. Setting speakers to small with a sensible crossover often gives cleaner bass and more headroom.