Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Test tones - which ones to believe?

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a SPL meter. I have calibrated with the Yammy's built-in test tones, as well as the Yammy DVD-A/SACD player tones.

In order to get the right balance between the receiver and DVD-A player, I had to drop the receiver's sub output level to the lowest setting (-20db), and crank the DVD-A player's sub level to max (+6db)...and then set the volume on the sub. So far, all is not too bad...sub output is about 1-2db above reference.

When I play the test tones on the S&V Home Theatre Setup, the sub tones are waayyyy off the scale.

Has anyone encountered the same issues? Which test tones should I believe?

Al

Don't quote me on this, but I think there is a 10dB difference in the way the LFE channel is treated between DVD-A "standards" and normal DVDs. I think I have a link saved at home, will post it.

The rationale for special treatment on DVDs (dating back to theater implementations) was that the LFE channel needed to be able to play as loudly as the other 5 channels combined, so the LFE channel was cut down by 10dB when recording and boosted an extra 10dB at playback. Something like that...

Anyways, the DVD-A people somehow forgot about this, so unless you can have separate levels set for DVD-A (6 channel input) and DVD (optical/coax input) there is going to be a big honkin' difference between the two.

I think the industry term for this is "stupid". Some people on the board know much more about this, hopefully this will jog their memories. Bottom line is that I don't think this has anything to do with the test tones, it's a DVD-A/SACD thing.

Note to self. Don't be cheap... get off your butt, buy the 6 channel cables and hook up that Pioneer 578 you bought SIX MONTHS AGO and are only using as a DVD/CD player

That could be true. On my DVD-A player's setup, I have all channels a pretty much their minimum (0 to +2 db's) and the LFE set at maximum (+6 db). It still sounds a little weak in the low end. Wasn't sure if it was the recordings or not.

I'll see how much more I can squeeze out...might be worth it to get an Outlaw bass mgmt thingy.

Al

Here's the link I mentioned. It doesn't talk about DVD-A but there are some good threads on this board about the "DVD-A bass problem". Don't have time to search for them now...

Uh...link?

Ahem....

HERE is the link I mentioned...

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_2/feature-article-misunderstood-lfe-channel-april-2000.html