Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater my nightmare,

Hi Alan,

I must certainly agree with you that anolog instruments are always mush easier to read at a glance. I have the new RS Digital meter, and while I did prefer the analog meter that I borrowed from my friend, the RS meter when put on slow response works very well, I have used it a number of times now when helping others setup their systems with no problems, the readings are stable and usable. For anyone else concerned about this don't be the digital unit works very well indeed just make sure you set the response to slow.

Cheers
John

When using the S&V setup dvd do you calibrate to 75db or 85db? I've heard both.

Thanks,
Heath

Normally you would use 75db at volume reference level of 0db, this is the value that most companies have set as the standard.

Using the S&V disc I calibrated everything to 75. I later read on HTF that the company who developed the S&V disc, Ovation, also made the AVIA disc. I've never used AVIA but apparently the instructions on that disc call for an 85db level. The S&V disc makes no mention of what level to use. I know the Video Essentials disc calls for a 75db level. It probably doesn't make a huge difference but if I'm going to take the time to calibrate I would like to do it as the developers of the software intended.

Heath, I am not familiar witht eh Avia, disc. What I go by is what the deveolpers of the THX and DTS standards call for, and that reference is 75db. It would be interesting to find out why they are calling for the higher value, is there a tech support number that can be caled for information, if there is it would be interesting to find out why the departure from the industry defined standards.

Regards
John.

I thought "true" reference level was 105db. As I understand it the calibration discs have their tones cut down by 20-30 db so we don't deafen ourselves during calibration. I could be totally off base on this as I'm still relatively new and trying to learn more everyday.

Alan,

Do you have an opinion on this?

Thanks,
Heath

Hi Heath,

Good heavens, 105 dB!!!. Don't!

Use 75 dB or 85 dB--whatever is comfortable. It's somewhat arbitrary anyway.You want the test signal to be loud enough (especially with our ears' insensitivity to deep bass as levels diminish), but not so loud that it's uncomfortable. I've been using 85 dB SPL at my listening seat because that's a fairly typical "average" SPL level for much of my listening.

Regards,

Heath,

I meant to add that whichever level you decide on, use that for all future calibrations.

Alan

Alan is right...85db is what the film maker's level they intended you to listen

now this is the way i calibrate my system....

use avia's guide to H/T is a very good and easy to follow
a rat shack spl meter (the one you can't find anymore)perhaps you can find one on ebay

putting the rat shack meter dead center of your listening area... (at ears height) and listen to each speaker individially (make sure your levels on the reciever is at full for all the speakers) take the weakest speaker and put the volume up to when you see 85db and adjust the others speakers down to 85db.... et voila...

except for the sub the adjustment must but a little more than 85db .... u must experiment with the sub, adjustment varies from room size to sub to placement...

i hope this helps...

Interesting to note what you are saying, but then why does the owner's manual of all THX certified receivers specify 75db as the reference point to calibrate to?