Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Clarification on calibrating with SPL RS meter?

Ok, I've found a couple of websites that say to start with the left speaker with the receiver dB level at 0dB, and then adjust the volume up/down while listening to the test tones on the AVR until it reads 75dB's. Then you adjust the remaining speakers to 75dB using the level adjustment, not the volume.

Is this correct?

I guess with my Denon 2805, I've always just kicked off the tone test and adjusted all the speakers, including the left front to 75dB's using the level adjustment.

Also, I think I may have been running my sub to hot, as I like to put it about 4dB's above my other speakers, however, the RS meter is not as accurate in the low Freq's I'm hearing, so in reality I am probably more like +6dB's on the sub. I plan to re calibrate tomorrow night to adjust for the 2dB flaw of the RS meter.

Any advice is appreciated..Randy

ps: I'm sure you all have told me this stuff before, maybe this time I'll right it down.

That will work. I'm not sure that there is only one "best" way to do it.

I also see nothing wrong with adjusting the sub to your own taste. Why not have it sound the way that you want?

On most of the receivers, if using the receiver own tones the volume adjustment is not operational and you use levels only. If you're using using a test cd/dvd then you use the volume control.

As far as the sub I also keep it at +5db. Sounds just fine, especially at medium volume level.

Any other input from you other guys/gals?

You should be good Randy. Just be sure to be on the C weighting and SLOW.

I've had similar questions. I always hear the term set your AVR at reference levels. How do you know what that is? When I did my initial set up I put my Pioneer -20dBi and then set speaker levels to 85dBi on Avia.

I always assumed ths was correct according to dolby standards. But honestly I'm pretty clueless here.

To listen at "Reference Level" would be the volume setting you used to level match everything to 85 dB. Check your receiver manual for what they determine to the reference volume setting on the volume knob. Usually it's right at 0 dB if the receiver volume is designated in dB.

I guess you can use any volume setting on your receiver you want to to calibrate to. Just know that this will be what is considered reference volume (or 85 dB dialog playback).

Many receivers built in test tone is meant to be calibrated to 75 dB, with the volume automatically set to -10 dB. So that when you are done and run at zero on your receiver you are at 85 dB. This is just easier on the ears while calibrating.

I have calibrated my listening room to reference, but usually I listen to movies with my receiver volume anywhere from -10 to -5 dB, depending on the movie.

Maybe Denon is different, but with HK, you use the AVR’s tone generator.

Pull up the channel setting dialogue page and start the tone generator (it will default to the left front), run the volume up until the meter reads 75 with the speaker at 0 db.

Then cycle through each speaker by adjusting the channel db trim until they all read the same.

You want the first speaker to be at “0” though. Otherwise, your volume will be off. For clarification, (I know from my own doing)……if you start out with the first speaker 10 db lower than 0, go through all the rest and set them, when you back out of the settings screen and start listing to the system, your AVR’s volume control will by much higher than usual – but not as loud.

Make sense?

I'm probably just weird here. I like to know I have room to move louder on my AVR. Meaning, I want -30dBi to sound loud so I know I have a lot more room to go louder.

I guess it really doesn't matter what level you set the AVR on with Avia, just as long as all speakers read the same on the SPL. Thinking back, I think I have it set up so -20 on the Pioneer reads 75dBi on the SPL.

My sub is 3/4 + and my center is also a bit hot. I like the dialogue to stand out a bit more.

You want each speaker, including the first at whatever setting is needed to bring the meter to a steady 75 dB. If the volume seems different after the calibration, that's due to the calibration and the intended result.

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Thinking back, I think I have it set up so -20 on the Pioneer reads 75dBi on the SPL.

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So in your case (using Avia to calibrate), reference level playback for a movie would be at -10dB, but you can listen wherever you like.

Seems about right, that would be VERY loud. I'm typically around -30dBi.

Trying to calibrate my system has been different than I expected. It seems very loud when I attempting to calibrate to 75db

So are you saying I should start a test tone at my front left speaker at a flat 0 setting and adjust my volume on the AVR until my meter reads 75db?

Through my several calibrations using S&V and then the yamaha 4600 mic set up each one seemed to be extremely loud. I was watching a movie around -20db (Very Loud) and the calibration was set to watch at -12db (even at 30 years old too loud) I used to push hi spl's with my car stereo and I found the 75db setting unbearable. I couldn't imagine 85db.

When i was playing back the pod racing scene under the -12 "reference level" though I was hitting 100db and peaks of 110db.

Any input is appreciated.

That was one of my questions Hay. I've read many Audio websites that say to do it exactly that way. Once you have the volume set for the left speaker to be 75dB's, then you calibrate the rest of the speakers with the level dB adjustments. According to some of the others, not all AVR's allow you to adjust with the main volume once you kick off the test tones.

I'm going to try it one of these nights on my Denon 2805.

I did my speaker calibration yesterday like what you said. Here is the setting when i did the calibration: Two M60tis large, VP150 small, QS8s small and no sub. Should I set the front speakers to small before i calibrate the speakers?

Thanks,

Han

With no sub, I'd set the M60s to large. I have a sub and have them set to large as I feel they sound much better with 2 channel music that way.

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. What I mean is I did the calibration with the front speaker set at Large. Should I calibrate the speaker set at Small, then switch to Large after that?

Thanks,

Han

Han I think with my Denon, it always sets my 60's to large after calibration, no matter if I have a sub or not. Anyway, this is just me, but after calibration, I have all my speakers set to small, with a crossover on the receiver of 80hz. To me it is the best all around setting for both music and movies. I still get killer bass with my 60's on this setting.

Do you currently have a sub? You would be missing a lot with all speakers to set small, an 80hz x-over and no sub.

If you use a sub, you should set ALL the speakers to small. Use your AVR’s crossover settings to change how much LFE goes to the mains and other speakers. If you have the Avia test disk, you will soon realize why large full range speakers should also be set to small.

So, set them all to small, use a X-over setting of 80 or so, and calibrate all the speakers to read the same db on the meter. Then screw with the sub and different crossover settings to achieve a balanced sound.

And yes, start with one of the mains at 75 db (or whatever the test disk or avr instructions tell you to do) but make sure you are useing the same test tone generater with the same instructions as they will be different) with the trim at “0” via the AVR volume control. Then adjust the remaining speakers to match that 75 db.

All the talk about “having extra” is kinda silly if you ask me. You’re only going to get what the avr amps can give. But if you set the channels up with an exaggerated trim, you will not get the entire AVR volume control as they all have set limits on their range. Usually - 80 to + 10 (or there abouts). So if you set the channels up with a “ – “ db trim as a baseline, and then run the volume up to the max of + 10, that “ – “ trim setting is not allowing the AVR’s max volume to be reached.

And going the other way on the baseline trim will not allow the AVR to play louder. It will only give you the visual perception that it’s louder at a lower AVR db display.



It’s like setting a watch ten minutes fast so you always have ten minutes to spare but always running ten minutes late… I have yet to meet someone who does that ever makes a meeting on time……….makes no sense to me.

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But if you set the channels up with an exaggerated trim, you will not get the entire AVR volume control as they all have set limits on their range.

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Exaggerated trims are beside the point here. If you're running your AVR near the point where this even matters, you need a more powerful amp -- and likely ear protection to boot.

Not with movies. I disagree.

My 7300 and 80's, if calibrated correctly will have an average movie playback of 90 db's at zero and to many, that's normal. It goes to a plus ten. Not a whole lot more, wouldn't you agree?

Now take an AVR will less power and what do you get at Zero?? You do the math.

Stereo is a different story. I can't tollerate the volume much over - 10 on the AVR.

Just another question, when using the Denon microphone and/or my SPL meter, all instructions that I've ever read says to place in the primary listening position for the tests.

I guess my question is that in my scenario I have theater seating, and am not always sitting in one specific location. So what is best in this situation? I've been placing the mic/meter right behind where the middle recliner resides. However, I'm wondering if it would be best to calibrate from the back central location? If I do this though, then the surrounds are closer to that person, which would be different than what the front row people would experience.

Would it be best to pick a location which is the average location for all seating locations?

Randy,
what you should do is pick the seat you like best let everyone know this is daddy's seat. then calibrate to that location. you are the person who will be watching more often then not your guests will still enjoy the movie just as much.

For 2.35 movies I sit in the back row, and for smaller aspect ratios I use the front row.