ANTHEM AVM 90 (02) PDF Document

When you unbox your ANTHEM AVM 90, you should find the following items:

• AVM Processor

• Remote Control

• 2x Wireless Network Antennas

• 2x AAA Batteries

• IEC Power Cord (US / UK / EU / CN types are supplied by factory, other types are normally provided by the local distributor)

Additionally, the Anthem Room Correction (ARC) kit includes:

• USB Microphone

• Microphone Clip

• Telescopic Stand with Boom

• USB Cable

It is recommended to save your ANTHEM AVM 90’s packaging. Should you need to move or service your unit, the original packaging will minimize the risk of damage during transport.

Before using your ANTHEM AVM 90, please observe the following notices:

• Disconnect the power cord before connecting or disconnecting any components.

• If the ANTHEM AVM 90 was transported or stored in the cold, allow it to reach room temperature before use.

• Due to continuing advances, operational characteristics may change. If this manual contains discrepancies, please check for the latest manual or software.

The ANTHEM AVM 90 comes programmed from the factory with fourteen inputs. You can change these or create up to 30 virtual inputs. The default settings are as follows:

The front panel of the ANTHEM AVM 90 provides access to essential controls:

1. Display: Shows current status, volume, and menu information.

2. Remote control sensor location: Receives signals from the remote control.

3. Volume control and menu navigation: A large knob to adjust volume and navigate through setup menus.

4. Headphone jack: For connecting headphones.

5. Power / standby: Toggles the unit on or into standby mode.

6. Mute: Mutes or unmutes the audio output.

7. Next input or item: Selects the next available input or menu item.

8. Previous input or item: Selects the previous input or menu item.

9. Selection confirmation (SELECT): Confirms a menu selection.

10. Setup menu access (MENU): Enters the main setup menu.

The rear panel of the ANTHEM AVM 90 features a comprehensive set of connections:

1. Wireless antenna connectors: For Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas.

2. USB jack: For factory service only.

3. Local area network (Ethernet) connection: For IP control and Anthem Room Correction.

4. HDMI outputs: Two main outputs and one Zone 2 output. HDMI 1 supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel).

5. HDMI inputs: Seven HDMI inputs.

6. AC input: For the main power cord.

7. RS-232 interface (bidirectional): For serial control systems.

8. IR input and trigger outputs: For infrared repeaters and activating other components.

9. Coaxial digital audio inputs.

10. Optical digital audio inputs and output.

11. Pre-out connections (XLR): Balanced outputs for all channels, including four subwoofers.

12. Analog audio inputs: Including a dedicated Phono (MM) input for a turntable.

13. Chassis ground screw: For grounding a turntable.

14. Pre-out connections (RCA): Unbalanced outputs for all channels.

The remote control for your ANTHEM AVM 90 has the following functions:

• Main zone power on / Standby

• Bass / Treble / Balance L/R / Dim / Level controls

• Numeric keypad (0-9)

• Preset / Input Select

• Setup menu / Navigation controls (Up, Down, Left, Right, Select)

• Clear: For deleting input configurations and clearing entries.

• Dolby Volume and Dolby Digital Dynamics (DYN)

• Volume Up/Down

• Zone 2 Controls (Power, Volume, Input)

• Backlight

• PG/PR (DTS:X Dialog Level Control)

• Lip-sync

• Mute

• Surround mode toggle

• Last: Returns to the previous channel or selection.

• Info display (front panel)

To install batteries, slide the cover off the back of the remote, and insert the two included AAA batteries according to the polarity markings (+/-) inside the compartment.

The remote control for the ANTHEM AVM 90 operates best when used within a range of 6 meters (20 feet) from the front panel’s IR sensor. It should also be within a 30-degree angle to the left or right of the sensor for reliable operation.

If your remote control is not working, first check the batteries. If the batteries are good, check that the Front IR is set to “On” in the Network / Control menu of your ANTHEM AVM 90.

Proper speaker positioning is crucial for an immersive audio experience with your ANTHEM AVM 90. Here are general guidelines for each speaker type:

• Front Left & Right: These are the primary speakers for 2-channel music and play a large role in home theater. Full-range speakers are recommended, especially if you listen to music without a subwoofer.

• Center: This is the most important speaker for home theater, reproducing most of the dialogue. It should be an accurate speaker that matches well with your front speakers.

• Surround Left & Right / Back Left & Right: These speakers reproduce ambient sounds and effects, creating a wrap-around sound field.

• Subwoofer(s): Essential for reproducing the Low-Frequency Effect (LFE) track in movies and adding weight to music. At least one high-quality subwoofer is recommended.

• Height 1 and Height 2: Up to six height speakers can be connected for 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. They reproduce overhead sounds like flying planes.

An HDMI connection carries both video and audio. To connect your devices to the ANTHEM AVM 90:

1. Connect an HDMI output from your source device (e.g., Blu-ray player, streaming box) to one of the seven HDMI inputs on the ANTHEM AVM 90.

2. Connect the HDMI OUT 1 (eARC) port on the ANTHEM AVM 90 to an HDMI input on your display (TV or projector).

Use only certified High-Speed HDMI cables, as older cables may not support newer video formats like UHD or high frame rates. Insert cables gently to avoid damaging the ports.

HDMI Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC): If your television supports eARC, it can send audio from its built-in apps (like streaming services) back to the ANTHEM AVM 90 through the same HDMI cable connected to HDMI OUT 1. This eliminates the need for a separate audio cable from the TV.

The ANTHEM AVM 90 features both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA pre-amp outputs for connecting external power amplifiers and powered subwoofers. The volume of these outputs is controlled by the main zone volume control.

• Balanced XLR Pre-Amp Outputs: These are recommended for the highest analog transmission quality, especially over long cable runs, as they reject noise and hum. The ANTHEM AVM 90 uses a standard pin-2 positive configuration.

• RCA Pre-Amp Outputs: These are standard unbalanced connections suitable for most setups, particularly with shorter cable lengths.

• Connecting Subwoofers: Powered subwoofers connect to the subwoofer pre-amp outputs (available in both XLR and RCA formats). The ANTHEM AVM 90 features four independent subwoofer outputs. Each output has its own delay, level, and Anthem Room Correction filter, but they all receive the same combined signal (the LFE channel plus low-pass filtered bass from other speakers set to “small”).

Zone 2 Output: The Zone 2 output allows you to play a source in a separate room with independent volume control. For the ANTHEM AVM 90, external amplification is always necessary for Zone 2 speakers. You can select an analog, optical/coaxial, or HDMI source to be played in Zone 2.

Analog Inputs: The ANTHEM AVM 90 has five RCA analog inputs. The fifth input is a dedicated Phono input for turntables with a moving-magnet (MM) cartridge.

To connect a turntable:

1. Connect the RCA cables from the turntable to the PHONO (MM) input jacks.

2. Connect the ground wire from the turntable to the CHASSIS GROUND screw terminal next to the phono inputs. This is crucial to prevent hum.

Note: If you have a turntable with a moving-coil (MC) cartridge, you will need a separate external phono preamp, which would then connect to one of the standard analog inputs.

A network connection is required for features like Anthem Room Correction, streaming, and IP control. You can connect your ANTHEM AVM 90 in two ways:

• Wired Connection: Connect a standard CAT network cable from your router to the ETHERNET port on the rear panel of the ANTHEM AVM 90. This is the recommended method, especially if the unit is in a metal rack or far from the wireless router.

• Wireless Connection: Attach the two included network antennas to the WIRELESS NETWORK ANTENNA connectors on the rear panel. You can then configure the wireless connection through the setup menu or using the AirPlay setup process with an Apple device. The wireless antennas are also required for Bluetooth connections.

The ANTHEM AVM 90 uses “virtual inputs,” allowing you to create up to 30 custom inputs. To configure them, navigate to the “Input Setup” menu. From here, you can select an existing input to modify, or you can add or delete inputs.

• To add an input: Highlight “Insert Input” and press SELECT.

• To delete an input: Highlight “Delete Input,” press SELECT, highlight the input you wish to remove, and press SELECT again.

For each input, you can configure the following settings:

• Input Name: Rename the input (e.g., “Blu-ray,” “Cable Box”).

• Video Input: Assign an HDMI input (1-7) or select None.

• Audio Input: Assign an audio source (HDMI, eARC, Coaxial, Optical, Analog, Streaming, Bluetooth, or MM Phono).

• Convert Analog (AVM Only): “No” bypasses all digital processing for a pure analog path.

• Speaker Profile: Assign one of your four pre-configured speaker profiles.

• Anthem Room Correction: Turn ARC on or off for this input.

• Dolby Audio Post Processing: Choose between Music, Movie, Night, or Off.

• Mode Presets: Set a default listening mode for Mono, Stereo, and Multi-Channel sources, or select “Last Used.”

• Lip Sync: Add audio delay (0-500 ms) to synchronize audio with video.

• Input Trim: Adjust the input level to match the volume of other sources.

If your ANTHEM AVM 90 becomes inoperable, you can perform a manual factory reset. This process will erase all user settings.

First, try a simple reboot:

1. Disconnect the power cord.

2. Press the front panel power button five times to drain any residual power.

3. Reconnect the power cord.

4. Power on the ANTHEM AVM 90.

If the reboot does not solve the issue, perform a factory reset:

1. With the power cord connected, press and hold the front panel MENU and main POWER buttons at the same time.

2. The unit should turn on, and the reset process will begin.

Anthem Room Correction (ARC) optimizes the in-room performance of your speakers by measuring their output and applying corrections to compensate for the room’s acoustic imperfections. In addition to correcting frequency response, ARC also adjusts speaker balance, crossover points, subwoofer level, and phase/polarity.

Before using ARC, ensure your subwoofers are enabled (if applicable) and that you have measured and set the speaker distances in the Listener Position menu.

To use Anthem Room Correction:

1. Download and install the ARC Genesis software program from the official Anthem website.

2. Connect the included calibrated microphone to your computer.

3. Start the ARC Genesis program and select Launch ARC.

4. Select the ANTHEM AVM 90 from the device discovery screen.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to take acoustic measurements from multiple positions in your listening area.

6. Once measurements are complete, the software will calculate the correction curves.

7. Upload the calculated correction data to your ANTHEM AVM 90.

You can stream audio to your ANTHEM AVM 90 using Apple AirPlay with a wired or wireless network connection.

Wired Connection:

1. Connect an ethernet cable from your router to the ANTHEM AVM 90.

2. Ensure your Apple device is connected to the same network.

3. From your Apple device, select the ANTHEM AVM 90 (which will appear as MRX/AVM) as the AirPlay audio playback device.

Wireless Connection:

1. Ensure your Apple device is connected to the Wi-Fi network you want the ANTHEM AVM 90 to join.

2. On your Apple device, go to the Wi-Fi Settings Menu.

3. Under “Set up new AirPlay speaker,” locate and select the MRX/AVM.

4. Follow the prompts to allow the unit to connect to your network.

5. Once connected, you can select it as an AirPlay speaker from any compatible device on the network.

Chromecast Setup (Wired or Wireless):

1. Download and open the Google Home app on your mobile device.

2. The app should prompt you that a new device is available for setup. If not, tap “Add” then “Setup a Device.”

3. Select the Receiver/Processor and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. To cast audio, ensure your casting device is on the same network as the ANTHEM AVM 90.

5. Tap the Chromecast built-in icon from within a supported app and select the Receiver/Processor as the playback device.

Bluetooth Setup:

1. Ensure both wireless antennas are attached to the rear of the ANTHEM AVM 90.

2. Select the Bluetooth input on the ANTHEM AVM 90. This will put the unit into pairing mode.

3. On your source device (e.g., phone, tablet), open the Bluetooth settings and select the ANTHEM AVM 90 from the list of available devices to pair.

Note: The ANTHEM AVM 90 will unpair from your device when you switch to a different input. This is to prevent unwanted audio from automatically playing if you return to the Bluetooth source.

You can use your phone, tablet, or computer as a remote control for Spotify on your ANTHEM AVM 90. Ensure your ANTHEM AVM 90 is connected to your home network. While playing music in the Spotify app on your device, tap the “Device” icon and select your ANTHEM AVM 90 from the list to stream the audio directly to it.