YPAO gives you a choice of EQ types, and a few settings are worth checking before you settle down to listen.
The settings worth checking
Beginner
EQ type
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| YPAO: Natural | Yamaha’s own tuned curve, aimed at a natural sound |
| YPAO: Flat | Makes every speaker measure the same, towards a flat response |
| YPAO: Front | Makes every speaker sound like your front left and right |
| Through | No EQ. Distances, levels and crossovers still apply |
| Manual | Your own settings instead of YPAO’s |
Try Natural and Flat on material you know and keep the one you prefer. Front only makes sense if your front speakers are clearly better than the rest. Older models may call it Front Presence or Front Approach.
YPAO Volume
YPAO Volume adds bass and treble as you turn the volume down, and less as you turn it up, so the balance stays similar at any level. Many people leave it on for everyday listening and turn it off for loud, critical listening.
Crossovers and subwoofer level
- It’s usually safe to raise a crossover YPAO chose, for example to 80 Hz, to take strain off smaller speakers. Avoid setting it lower than YPAO measured.
- If the sub sounds too loud or too quiet, adjust its level by ear or with a meter. This is a common adjustment after YPAO.
- The subwoofer distance won’t match a tape measure. It includes the sub’s own processing delay, so that’s normal.
You’re done
Check the result and go further
That’s the calibration done. Listen for a few days before changing anything else.
Manual EQ and what you can’t change
Advanced
- Manual EQ lets you set parametric EQ bands per channel yourself. The number of bands depends on the model, so check your manual.
- Extra Bass is a separate bass boost. It isn’t part of YPAO, so leave it off while you judge the calibration.
- You can’t change how YPAO analyses the room or its target. You can only change its results afterwards: EQ type, manual EQ, distances, levels and crossovers.
To see what YPAO actually changed, measure before and after with REW. See Measure with REW.
Source: Yamaha’s manuals.