HAA Level II
Three-Day Certification Seminar

The Level II HAA Certification Seminar is a structured three-day, team-based workshop focusing on the art and science of Home Theater Audio Calibration. In order to facilitate the best environment for a "hands-on" workshop, teams of no more than 4 to 5 students per room will be formed. The workshop consists of a brief refresher on acoustical principles and then a series of self-paced labs over three days, culminating on the third day with the final exam. Each student-team will be asked to set-up and calibrate a new audio system in a room. The completed system will then be reviewed for correctness. 

Requirements for HAA Level II Training

The Level II HAA Certification Seminar curriculum is based upon the HAA Level I Course knowledge. For that reason it is required that any Level II students already have completed the Level I class. Getting the most out of the training means not only understanding the terms and theory, but also a good measure of practical experience.

 

The Level I class is held at many locations all over the country. You can register for the Level I class at our Seminar Registration link or by contacting Sencore Electronics at 1.800.736.2673.

 

If a Level I Refresher Course would benefit you, a one-day class is held the day before the Level II Training begins – at the same location as the Level II Training class. Contact Sencore Electronics for more information.

 

Learning Objectives

1) Refresh understanding of “Acoustical Goals” as the bull’s-eye of the design/calibration process.

2) Refresh understanding of the “Audio Control Panel” (both Low and High frequency versions) and review each tool’s measurement parameters.

a. Listener placement

b. Speaker placement

c. Sub-woofer placement

d. Equalization

e. Room acoustical properties

f.   Basic calibration elements

3) Understand the overarching importance of the Acoustics Design Review Checklist (ADR) as the prerequisite condition for calibration and its sonic relevance.

4) Introduce the Acoustic Performance Review Checklist (APR) as the calibration process and learn the sonic relevance of its parameters.

5) Bring sonic results into perspective.

 

Hands-on Workshops

1) Acoustic Design Review Checklist Workshop I allows the team to build a theater from the ground up.

2) Listening Workshop II reviews results of Workshop I, based on the Acoustical Goals; Clarity, Focus, Envelopment, Dynamics and Response.

3) Acoustic Performance Review Checklist Workshop III allows the team to perform advanced measurements on the system assembled in the Workshop I. Each member of the team is required to perform each measurement, and prepare the data for the creation of the Acoustic Performance Review (APR – the basis of the “before calibration” report).

4) Low Frequency Calibration Workshop IV includes calibration of single and multiple subwoofers using several popular techniques. Also, much attention is placed on the Main LCR speakers - including full range settings and using bass management.

5) Front Sound Stage Calibration Workshop V begins with two channel analysis, then continues with the introduction of the center channel. The student begins to understand the cause and effect of changing speaker position against the resulting change in soundstage width, depth, cohesiveness and focus. In addition, the resulting change in response is revisited from Workshop IV when soundstage adjustments result in low frequency response changes.

6) Surround Field Calibration Workshop VI brings the surround speakers to center stage. The lab begins with a demonstration of the side channels being moved in and out of proper position. Experiments are reviewed using mismatched surrounds, dipoles versus monopole speakers. A final experiment demonstrates the proper setup of rear channels for DVDA or SACD recordings.

7) Room treatment Calibration Workshop VII analyzes impulse response measurements from Workshop II. A variety of strategies for employing standard acoustical absorption are utilized, and the resulting change in the impulse response and sound are explored.

8) Listening Workshop VIII revisits the reference material used in Workshop II and reevaluates the sonic performance of the system. At the end of the session, the team should be, if not in total agreement, at least in consensus on the strategy for calibration to be used during the following day’s exam.

9) Acoustic Performance Review Checklist Workshop IX allows the collection of "final" acoustical measurements as a comparison to the initial "before" measurements.

 

Exam

1) Level II Calibration Exercise - This evaluation tests the team’s ability to layout and calibrate a new system. It puts the individual’s acoustic knowledge to a test and also their ability to work as a team. This analysis forms 50% of the final grade toward certification.

2) Level II Calibration Review - The afternoon of the third day begins with each team returning to the system they worked with for the workshops. The task will be to complete a System Analysis on this system as a team. The resulting analysis will be returned to the HAA that day and forms 25% of the resulting grade of the team who set up the system.

3) Level II Calibration Written Test - The final 25% of the exam grade will be provided by the completion of an online test of the subject matter. Students will take the test at their convenience within 30 days of the completion of the Level II class.

Most consumers recognize the need to tune their sound system. Calibration is not optional; it is an integral part of installation. In fact, adding calibration to the bill manifests its value. Calibration begins with the proper design and setup of a system. Failing to complete this process or performing it poorly is not somehow made acceptable if you don't charge for it. Taking the time to properly calibrate reinforces the high aim of the AV Contractor toward quality and differentiates the installation from inferior ones. Its value is reinforced by the care taken by the AV Contractor and the time and effort they expended to become a great calibrators.

Gerry LeMay is the Director of the Home Acoustics Alliance and the President of Quest Convergence Systems. He began his acoustical training as an amateur speaker builder as a boy, and later while completing his degree in Physics, worked in small recording studios and local audio stores. He has owned and operated an audio store and worked in the industry as an executive and consultant for many years. His articles on acoustics have appeared in Home Theater Magazine, Home Theater Builder, CEPro among other publications. Gerry’s work in developing the HAA and the world renowned HAA Level I Seminar has been recognized by students and industry experts as one of the best in the business.