Spiff said to use an analog sound meter to check db level so i could tell how loud I'm playing the speakers (2 channel). He said he compared he M22's and 60's at about 75 to 80dbs. Should I be measuring from the seating position or right at the speaker. I would think that the measurement at the speaker would tell you the volume you are pushing and other locations tell you about the room....or i'm i completely missing the concept here ?

You want to check the level from the listening position. The point isn't the check the speakers sensitivity, the point is to have the volume level that you are hearing to be equal. Good luck, and have fun!

Hello Spiff. I hear a lot about using a analog meter for HT setup...I have a digital meter, because the Rat Shack near me was out of the analog type. Is it bad form to use a digital meter??

I can jump in for Spiff here, and let you know that there is no problem using the digital meter as opposed to the analog one. Yes, the analog one is more often recommended as the one to get (I forget the reason why but it is not because there is anything wrong with the digital), but the digital is also preferred by many people and will give you fine results. Don't worry about it. I use the digital and it works great for me.

Don't forget to set it to C weighting and slow response ideally.

Many thanks...I could not believe that the sound could be much better...I am so happy with my little setup, even without the help of HSU or SVS...:)

I guess the analog SPL meter tends to be more often recommended for the same reason that analog gauges are often preferred in today's automobile -- you can read the changes more intuitively with an analog meter. A digital meter is no lesser functionally.

I personally prefer the digital version of the RS SPL meter for one reason: it has a peak-hold feature that is sometimes nifty (it is not necessary for audio calibrations, though).