Pioneer MCACC Reference Guide
MCACC Reference Guide
MCACC (Multi-Channel ACoustic Calibration system)
Reference Guide
• Introduction
- MCACC
- Advanced MCACC
- MCACC Pro
• The Essence of MCACC
- Phase Characteristic
- Measurement Precision
- Reproduction Frequency
• MCACC
• Advanced MCACC
• MCACC Pro
• MCACC/Advanced MCACC/MCACC Pro Feature Comparison
• Technical Details
1
Introduction
MCACC Overview
To get the best results from a home theater system, it needs to
be fine-tuned, just like a musical instrument, for accurate
reproduction of sound as the original artists intended. Yet, this is
no easy task in a household multi-channel environment with all
the speakers, furniture, the size and shape of the room, and
various other issues. That’s why Pioneer developed MCACC
(Multi-Channel ACoustic Calibration system), a unique system
which measures and analyses the reverb characteristics of the
speakers, and optimally tunes the sound output to make it just
right for the room.
MCACC was originally introduced in 2001 as the world’s first
automatic sound acoustic correction technology. With the
addition of Phase Control technology which compensates the
phase lag of the low-frequency signals, multi-channel sound is
now further optimized to bring out the best from your home
theater. MCACC is now available at three levels—MCACC,
Advanced MCACC, and MCACC Pro—in accordance with the
grade of the AV receiver.
MCACC Reference Guide
Optimize Speakers’
Characteristics
Optimize Room Acoustic &
Source Condition
Optimize AV Receiver’s
Performance
MCACC MCACC ProThe Essence of MCACC Advanced MCACC Feature Comparison Technical DetailsIntroduction
MCACC—Basis of Acoustic Field Correction
With a dedicated microphone, MCACC measures
the speaker size, level, and distance and
automatically compensates for the difference.
The delay of the subwoofer sound is also adjusted to be in
phase with the other channels.
Details on page 5
Advanced MCACC—Precise Speaker Drive and
Advanced Correction for the Listening Environment
Advanced MCACC features a 3D calibration
method with even more precise measurements
by including the time axis, as well as Auto Phase
Control Plus for real-time analysis and automatic
compensation, Standing Wave Control for reducing unwanted
resonance, and Subwoofer EQ for adjusting the LFE tone.
Details on page 6
MCACC Pro—Professional Level Correction from
Source Material to Speaker Output
In addition to the above features, MCACC Pro
goes a step further by analyzing the phase and
group delay characteristics due to network
filtering to precisely control phase differences
between speakers. The result is the sound coherence of fullrange speakers while retaining the wide frequency range
advantage of multi-way speakers. This correction is also
performed between channels, providing a smooth flow of sound
as if all delivered from the same type of speaker. Other features
include independent correction for dual subwoofers, and speaker
position adjustment in 1-millimeter increments. MCACC Pro
corrects phase differences in all ranges and all channels, from
phase difference in the original audio material to the sound
emitted from the speakers.
Details on page 8
2
Auto Phase Control Plus
Source AV Receiver Speakers
Speaker Adjustment
Equalizer
Phase Control
Speaker Polarity Check
Standing Wave Control
Subwoofer Equalizer
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output
Full Band Phase Control
MCACC—Acoustic Field Correction at All Levels
MCACC Reference Guide
MCACC MCACC ProThe Essence of MCACC Advanced MCACC Feature Comparison Technical DetailsIntroduction
3
The Essence of MCACC
In Phase
Out of Ph ase
Main Channel
LFE Channel
(From subwoofer)
Main Channel
LFE Channel
(From subwoofer)
Perceived
synthetic sound
(in green)
Perceived
synthetic sound
(in black)
Free from cancellation
Powerful and accurate bass
Cancellation occurs
between main and LFE channels
Matching phase
Phase sh ift
Pioneer is dedicated to making your home theater experience as
close as possible to what the sound creators and studio
engineers intended when they created the original sound tracks.
Developed through a rigorous pursuit of the ideal multi-channel
audio reproduction, the MCACC technology focuses on three main
features—phase characteristic, measurement precision, and
reproduction frequency—which sets it apart from other similar
technologies.
MCACC Reference Guide
Introduction MCACC MCACC ProAdvanced MCACC Feature Comparison Technical DetailsThe Essence of MCACC
Phase Characteristic
When audio signals are out of phase, cancelling out of sound
occurs between speaker units and channels, and the original
sound cannot be reproduced. Pioneer’s MCACC can make
adjustments without altering the phase characteristics, thereby
allowing original sound reproduction just as the creator
intended.
More details on page 12
Measurement Precision
In a normal living room environment, the reverberation
characteristic is inconsistent due to various interior materials
and furniture placement. So the optimum sound quality cannot
be achieved if the EQ is based on measurement data that
includes reverberant sound. The measurement for Pioneer’s
MCACC takes the time-axis into account and applies different
compensation methods according to the influence of the
reverberant sound, enabling optimal compensation for the
listening environment.
More details on page 13
Reproduction Frequency
An Example of the Phase Problem
Related Bass Output from Two Speakers
When EQ adjustment is applied to high-resolution audio
sources, the sound quality cannot be maintained if the
reproduction frequency is reduced from the original 192 kHz or
96 kHz level. Pioneer’s MCACC makes EQ adjustment without
changing the audio file’s reproduction frequency, allowing
playback of true high-resolution sound in a multi-channel setup.
4
MCACC
Calibration
After Calibration
Speaker distance, sound pressure level, and
frequency response are all equalized.
Before Calibration
Speaker distance, sound pressure level, and
frequency response are all uneven.
The sound field is automatically
measured using the supplied mic.
Speaker sizes and number of
speakers are automatically detected.
SET-UP
MIC
SET-UP
MIC
Speakers
AV Receiver
PHASE CONTROL
Source
MCACC Reference Guide
Speaker Adjustment (size, level, distance, crossover)
Create the optimum acoustic environment with Pioneer’s
MCACC, developed with the expertise of professional recording
studios. The system — complete with custom microphone —
automatically compensates for differences in speaker size, level
and distance, and equalizes response.
More details on page 11
Equalizer
The frequency response of each speaker is measured and
adjusted for all bands. This is completed with the original
Envelope Compensation applied technology, which ensures
optimum timbre-matching with minimum phase variation
among channels.
More details on page 12
Phase Control
When amplifying multi-channel audio signals,
receivers use a Low Pass Filter (LPF) to process
low-frequency signals for subwoofer output. This
causes “phase lag” — a delay of approximately 5
msec — of the low-frequency signals compared
to the main channel signals. As a result, the delayed bass makes
the sound lack synchronization. Pioneer’s Phase Control
technology effectively eliminates phase lag and significantly
improves the multi-channel sound without any extra operation.
Acoustic Calibration by MCACC
Introduction MCACC ProThe Essence of MCACC Advanced MCACC Feature Comparison Technical DetailsMCACC
The "Phase Control" Compensates for the Delay of Low-Frequency Sound
Problems occur even with an ideal content which has no LFE delay. Phase Control
solves this within the AV receiver.
5
Advanced MCACC
Calibration
After Calibration
Speaker distance, sound pressure level, and
frequency response are all equalized.
Before Calibration
Speaker distance, sound pressure level, and
frequency response are all uneven.
The sound field is automatically
measured using the supplied mic.
Speaker sizes and number of
speakers are automatically detected.
SET-UP
MIC
SET-UP
MIC
Speakers
AV Receiver
PHASE CONTROL
Source
MCACC Reference Guide
Speaker Adjustment (size, level, distance, crossover)
Create the optimum acoustic environment with Pioneer’s
MCACC, developed with the expertise of professional recording
studios. The system — complete with custom microphone —
automatically compensates for differences in speaker size, level
and distance, and equalizes response.
More details on page 11
Equalizer
The frequency response of each speaker is measured and
adjusted for all bands. This is completed with the original
Envelope Compensation applied technology, which ensures
optimum timbre-matching with minimum phase variation
among channels. In addition to the calibration for frequency
response of MCACC, the Advanced MCACC features the time-axis
compensation, allowing manual or automatic point control of
acoustic treatment between 0 msec and 80 m sec points in 20
msec units. Minute adjustment allows you to create an ideal
sound field according to the acoustic characteristics of various
listening environments.
Acoustic Calibration by MCACC
Introduction MCACC MCACC ProThe Essence of MCACC Feature Comparison Technical DetailsAdvanced MCACC
MCACC Reverberation Characteristics
Before Calibration After Calibration
Level (dB)
Time (msec)
Reverb
Frequency (Hz) Frequency (Hz)
Level (dB)
Time (msec)
Reverb
More details on page 12
Phase Control
When amplifying multi-channel audio signals,
receivers use a Low Pass Filter (LPF) to process
low-frequency signals for subwoofer output. This
causes “phase lag” — a delay of approximately 5
msec — of the low-frequency signals compared
to the main channel signals. As a result, the delayed bass makes
the sound lack synchronization. Pioneer’s Phase Control
technology effectively eliminates phase lag and significantly
improves the multi-channel sound without any extra operation.
Auto Phase Control Plus
During Blu-ray Disc/DVD/multi-channel file
playback, Auto Phase Control Plus makes real-time
analysis of the phase difference between the LFE
(low frequency effect) and the main signals, and
automatically compensates the gap. Elimination of
phase lag enhances strong bass and clear highfrequency sound — especially effective for audio content such as
live performance and music video clips.
* Effectiveness depends on content
More details on page 13
The "Phase Control" Compensates for the Delay of Low-Frequency Sound
Problems occur even with an ideal content which has no LFE delay. Phase Control
solves this within the AV receiver.
Effect of Auto Phase Control Plus (data comparison)
Original disc playback
Level
Front L
LFE
Delay setting: 0 msec
Superior sound provided by compensating the lag in the subwoofer channel on the disc.
Playback with Auto Phase Control Plus
Level
Front L
LFE
Delay setting: 9 msec TimeTime
Speaker Polarity Check
The Advanced MCACC will check the speaker polarity for proper
connection. “Reverse Phase” will be displayed on the GUI screen
if the speaker’s wiring (+ and -) is inverted.
6
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