Sony HT-K215 User Manual

Home Theater
System

4-230-773-41(1)

Operating Instructions

HT-K215

 2000 Sony Corporation

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose
the unit to rain or
moisture.

To avoid electrical shock, do not open
the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel only.

Precautions

On safety

• Should any solid object or liquid fall into
the cabinet, unplug the amplifier and
have it checked by qualified personnel
before operating it any further.

On power sources

• Before operating the amplifier, check that
the operating voltage is identical with
your local power supply. The operating
voltage is indicated on the nameplate at
the bottom of the amplifier.

• The amplifier is not disconnected from
the AC power source (mains) as long as
it is connected to the wall outlet, even if
the amplifier itself has been turned off.

• If you are not going to use the amplifier
for a long time, be sure to disconnect the
amplifier from the wall outlet. To
disconnect the mains lead, grasp the
plug itself; never pull the cord.

• The AC power cord (mains lead) must be
changed, at a qualified service shop only.

• The mains switch is located on the front
exterior.

On placement

• Do not install the appliance in a confined
space, such as a bookcase or built in
cabinet.

• Place the amplifier in a location with
adequate ventilation to prevent heat
buildup and prolong the life of the
amplifier.

• Do not place the amplifier near heat
sources, or in a place subject to direct
sunlight, excessive dust or mechanical
shock.

• Do not place anything on top of the
cabinet that might block the ventilation
holes and cause malfunctions.

• Do not set the speakers in an inclined
position.

• Do not place the speakers in locations
that are:
– Extremely hot or cold
– Dusty or dirty
– Very humid
– Subject to vibrations
– Subject to direct sunlight

On operation

• Before connecting other components, be
sure to turn off and unplug the amplifier.

• Do not drive the speaker system with a
continuous wattage exceeding the
maximum input power of the system.

• If the polarity of the speaker connections
are not correct, the bass tones will be
weak and the position of the various
instruments obscure.

• Contact between bare speaker wires at
the speaker terminals may result in a
short-circuit.

• The speaker grille cannot be removed.
Do not attempt to remove the grille on
the speaker system. If you try to remove
it, you may damage the speaker.

If you encounter color irregularity on a
nearby TV screen

This speaker system is magnetically
shielded to allow it to be installed near a
TV set. However, color irregularities may
still be observed on certain types of TV
sets.

If color irregularity is observed…

p Turn off the TV set once, then turn it

on again after 15 to 30 minutes.

If color irregularity is observed again…

p Place the speakers further away from

the TV set.

If howling occurs

Reposition the speakers or turn down the
volume on the amplifier.

On cleaning

• Clean the cabinet, panel and controls
with a soft cloth slightly moistened with
a mild detergent solution. Do not use
any type of abrasive pad, scouring
powder or solvent such as alcohol or
benzine.

If you have any question or problem
concerning your amplifier, please
consult your nearest Sony dealer.

2

About This Manual

Conventions

• The instructions in this manual describe the controls on
the amplifier and speakers. You can also use the
controls on the supplied remote if they have the same or

similar names as those on the amplifier.

• The following icon is used in this manual:
z Indicates hints and tips for making the task easier.

This amplifier incorporates Dolby* Digital and Pro Logic
Surround and the DTS** Digital Surround System.

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.

*

“Dolby”, “AC-3”, “Pro Logic” and the double-D symbol a are
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Confidential unpublished Works. © 1992-1997 Dolby Laboratories.
All rights reserved.
Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US

**

Pat. No. 5,451,942 and other worldwide patents issued and pending.
“DTS” and “DTS Digital Surround” are trademarks of Digital
Theater Systems, Inc. © 1996 Digital Theater Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved.

Demonstration Mode

The demonstration will activate the first time you turn on the
power. When the demonstration starts, the following message
appears in the display :

“NOW DEMONSTRATION MODE IF YOU FINISH
DEMONSTRATION PLEASE PRESS POWER KEY
WHILE THIS MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DISPLAY
THANK YOU”

To cancel the demonstration

Press ?/1 to turn the amplifier off while the above message is
being displayed. The next time you turn the amplifier on, the
demonstration will not appear.

To view the demonstration

Hold down SET UP and press ?/1 to turn on the power.

Notes

• Running the demonstration will clear the amplifier’s
memory. For details on what will be cleared, see “Clearing
the amplifier's memory” on page 14.

• There will be no sound when the demonstration mode is
activated.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Hooking Up the Components 4

Unpacking 4
Setting Up the Amplifier 5
Video Component Hookups 6
Digital Component Hookups 7

5.1CH/SAT Hookups 8
Other Hookups 9

Hooking Up and Setting Up the
Speaker System 10

Speaker System Hookup 11
Performing Initial Setup Operations 14
Multi Channel Surround Setup 15
Before You Use Your Amplifier 20

Location of Parts and Basic
Operations 21

Front Panel Parts Descriptions 21

Enjoying Surround Sound 23

Selecting a Sound Field 24
Understanding the Multi-Channel Surround

Displays 27

Customizing Sound Fields 29

Other Operations 32

Using the Sleep Timer 33

Additional Information 34

Troubleshooting 34
Specifications 36
Glossary 38
Settings Using SURR, LEVEL, and SET UP

buttons 39
Remote Button Description 40
Index 42

3

Hooking Up

Unpacking

the
Components

This chapter describes how to connect
various audio and video components
to the amplifier. Be sure to read the
sections for the components you have
before you actually connect them to
the amplifier.

Check that you received the following items with the
amplifier:

• Remote commander (remote) (1)

• Size AA (R6) batteries (2)

• Speakers

• Front speakers (2)

• Rear speakers (2)

• Center speaker (1)

• Subwoofer (1)

• Speaker connecting cord, long (2)

• Speaker connecting cord, short (3)

• Monaural connecting cord (1 phono to 1 phono) (1)

• Foot pads (20)

• Screw (1)

• Amplifier stand (1)

Inserting batteries into the remote

Insert R6 (size-AA) batteries with the + and – properly
oriented in the battery compartment. When using the
remote, point it at the remote sensor g on the amplifier.

]

}

}

]

z

When to replace batteries

Under normal conditions, the batteries should last for about 6
months. When the remote no longer operates the amplifier,
replace all batteries with new ones.

Notes

• Do not leave the remote in an extremely hot or humid place.

• Do not use a new battery with an old one.

• Do not expose the remote sensor to direct sunlight or lighting
apparatuses. Doing so may cause a malfunction.

• If you don’t use the remote for an extended period of time,
remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery
leakage and corrosion.

Before you get started

• Turn off the power to all components before making

any connections.

• Do not connect the AC power cords until all of the

connections are completed.

• Be sure to make connections firmly to avoid hum and

noise.

• When connecting an audio cord, be sure to match the

color-coded pins to the appropriate jacks on the
components: white (left, audio) to white; and red (right,
audio) to red.

4

Setting Up the Amplifier

You can place the amplifier flat on a surface or on the
amplifier stand. Make sure that you do not place anything
on top of the amplifier.

1 Turn the amplifier to its side.

Be sure to place the amplifier with the ?/1 (power)
button at the bottom.

R

SOUND FIELD MODE

MASTER VOLUME

–+

VIDEO TV DVD AUX 5.1CH/SAT

+–

SURR LEVEL SET UP

?/1

2 Place the amplifier stand on top of the amplifier.

Be sure to align the hole on the stand to the hole on the
amplifier.

5 Place the amplifier stand on a flat surface.

Hooking Up the Components

Note

You can dress the power cord and other wires at the amplifier
stand as shown below.

3 Press to insert the stand to the amplifier.
4 Insert the screw and tighten it.

5

Video Component Hookups

Hooking Up the Components

TV

OUTPUT

AUDIO OUT

RL

DVD

Required cords

Audio cord (not supplied)

When connecting a cord, be sure to match the color -coded pins
to the appropriate jacks on the components.

White (L)

Red (R)

OUTPUT

AUDIO OUT

CENTER

L

L

WOOFER

CENTER

5.1CH/SAT

IMPEDANCE USE 8-16 Ω

L

SPEAKERS

White (L)
Red (R)

AUX

TV VIDEO FRONT

R

R

REAR

Jacks for connecting video components

Connect a To the

TV TV jacks
VCR VIDEO jacks

ç

OUTPUT

AUDIO

OUT

VCR

WOOFER

OUT

L

R

R

FRONT REAR

ç

IN OUT

INPUT OUTPUT

AUDIO

IN

L

R

AUDIO

OUT

6

Digital Component Hookups

Connect the digital output jacks of your DVD player and
audio components (CD player, MD deck, etc.) to the
amplifier’s digital input jacks to bring the multi channel
surround sound of a movie theater into your home. To
enjoy full effect of multi channel surround sound, five
speakers (two front speakers, two rear speakers, and a
center speaker) and a sub woofer are required.

DVD player

DVD

(etc.)

OUTPUT

DIGITAL
OPTICAL

CENTER

L

CD player,
MD deck, etc.

OUTPUT

DIGITAL
OPTICAL

L

WOOFER

5.1CH/SAT

CENTER

Required cords

Optical digital cords (not supplied)

Black Black

Note

The optical digital input jacks on the amplifier are compatible
with sampling frequencies of 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and
96 kHz.

IMPEDANCE USE 8-16 Ω

L

SPEAKERS

Hooking Up the Components

AUX

TV VIDEO FRONT

R

R

WOOFER

REAR

Note

Connect the video jack of your DVD player to the VIDEO IN jack
of your TV.

OUT

R

FRONT REAR

7

5.1CH/SAT Hookups

Hooking Up the Components

Although this amplifier incorporates a multi channel
decoder, it is also equipped with 5.1CH/SAT jacks. These
connections allow you to enjoy multichannel software
encoded in formats other than Dolby Digital (AC-3) and
DTS. If your DVD player is equipped with 5.1CH
OUTPUT jacks, you can connect them directly to the
amplifier to enjoy the sound of the DVD player’s multi
channel decoder. Alternatively, the 5.1CH/SAT jacks can
be used to connect an external multi channel decoder.
To fully enjoy multi channel surround sound, you will
need five speakers (two front speakers, two rear speakers,
and a center speaker) and a subwoofer. Refer to the
instruction manual supplied with your DVD player, multi
channel decoder, etc., for details on the 5.1 channel input
hookups.

CENTER

DVD player,

Multichannel decoder, etc.

5.1CH OUTPUT

REAR

FRONT

Required cords

Audio cords (not supplied)

Two for the 5.1CH/SAT FRONT and REAR jacks

White (L) White (L)

Red (R) Red (R)

Monaural audio cords (not supplied)

Two for the 5.1CH/SAT CENTER and WOOFER jacks

Black Black

Note

When using the connections described below, adjust the level of
your surround speakers, center speaker and subwoofer from the
DVD player or multichannel decoder.

WOOFER

REAR

WOOFER

CENTER

5.1CH/SAT

WOOFER

OUT

L

R

FRONT REAR

DVD

AUX

TV VIDEO FRONT

CENTER

L

R

L

R

Example of a DVD player hookup using the 5.1 CH/SAT jacks

5.1 CH/SAT

VIDEO TV DVD AUX 5.1CH/SAT

?/1

DVD player

Note

See page 11 for details on speaker system hookup.

SURR LEVEL SET UP

+–

IMPEDANCE USE 8-16 Ω

SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS
FRONT

MASTER VOLUME

R

SPEAKERS
REAR/CENTER

–+

SUB WOOFER

SOUND FIELD MODE

Front Speaker (L)
Front Speaker (R)

Rear Speaker (L)
Rear Speaker (R)

Center Speaker

Active Woofer

8

Other Hookups

REAR

WOOFER

CENTER

5.1CH/SAT

WOOFER

DVD

AUX

TV VIDEO FRONT

CENTER

L

R

L

R

Connecting the AC power cord

Before connecting the AC power cord of this amplifier to a
wall outlet:

• Connect the speaker system to the amplifier (see page

11).

OUT

L

R

FRONT REAR

IMPEDANCE USE 8-16 Ω

SPEAKERS

AC power cord

To a wall outlet

Hooking Up the Components

b

Connect the AC power cord(s) of your video components
to a wall outlet.

Note

If the AC power cord is disconnected for about two weeks, the
amplifier’s entire memory will be cleared and the demonstration
will start.

9

Hooking Up

SET UP

R

?/1

VIDEO TV DVD AUX 5.1CH/SAT

SURR LEVEL SET UP

+–

SOUND FIELD MODE

MASTER VOLUME

–+

and Setting Up
the Speaker
System

This chapter describes how to hook
up your speaker system to the
amplifier, how to position each
speaker, and how to set up your
speakers to enjoy multi channel
surround sound.

+/– buttons

Brief descriptions of buttons and control
used to set up the speaker system

SET UP button: Press to enter the setup mode when
specifying speaker types and distances.

+/– buttons: Use to select parameters after pressing the
SET UP button.

10

Speaker System Hookup

Required cords

Speaker connecting cords (supplied)

One white for SPEAKERS FRONT LEFT
One red for SPEAKERS FRONT RIGHT
One green for SPEAKERS CENTER
One blue for SPEAKERS REAR LEFT
One yellow for SPEAKERS REAR RIGHT

Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System

(–)

(+)

Monaural connecting cord (supplied)

One for an active sub woofer

Black Black

Speaker plug

Notes

• Make sure that you insert the speaker connecting cords
according to the colour as labelled on the top of the amplifier of
the speaker plug ends.

• The polarity of the speaker plugs is fixed on the amplifier.

11

Speaker System Hookup

Front speaker (L)

}

]

Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System

CENTER

DVD

L

R

AUX

TV VIDEO FRONT

L

R

Front speaker (R)

}

WOOFER

CENTER

5.1CH/SAT

WOOFER

REAR

OUT

}

Rear speaker (L)

]

FRONT REAR

}

L

R

]

IMPEDANCE USE 8-16 Ω

SPEAKERS

]

INPUT

Rear speaker (R)

}

]

Center speaker

Terminals for connecting the speakers

Connect the To the

Front speakers (8 ohm) SPEAKERS FRONT terminals
Rear speakers (8 ohm) SPEAKERS REAR terminals
Center speaker (8 ohm) SPEAKERS CENTER terminals
Active sub woofer WOOFER OUT jack

Active sub woofer

Notes on speaker system hookup

• Make sure the plus (+) and the minus (–) terminals on
the speakers are matched to the corresponding plus (+)
and minus (–) terminals on the speaker plugs.

• Make sure all connections are firm. Contact between
bare speaker wires at the speaker terminals may cause a
short-circuit.

Tip

All striped wires are plus (+) in polarity, and should be connected
to the plus (+) speaker terminals.

12

To avoid short-circuiting the speakers

Short-circuiting of the speakers may damage the
amplifier. To prevent this, make sure to take the following
precautions when connecting the speakers.

To avoid damaging your speakers

Make sure that you turn down the volume before you
turn off the amplifier. When you turn on the amplifier, the
volume remains at the level you turn off the amplifier.

Make sure the stripped ends of each speaker cord
does not touch another speaker terminal or the
stripped end of another speaker cord.

Examples of poor conditions of the speaker cord

Stripped speaker cord is touching another speaker terminal.

Stripped cords are touching each other due to excessive
removal of insulation.

Hooking Up and Setting Up the Speaker System

After connecting all the components, speakers,
and AC power cord, output a test tone to check
that all the speakers are connected correctly. For
details on outputting a test tone, see page 18.

If no sound is heard from a speaker while outputting a
test tone or a test tone is output from a speaker other than
the one whose name is currently displayed on the
amplifier, the speaker may be short-circuited. If this
happens, check the speaker connection again.

13