Hello all. I have been using my Yamaha RX V2400's manual test tones to calibrate my speakers w/good results including the sub. My issue is that I have purchased and HK7300 that does not have a sub test tone. No problem right, just use a setup disk aka DVE. Problem is when I run that now, the cd matches the reading on the SPL meter almost EXACT w/the Yamaha EXCEPT the EP500 which shows to be 12db louder when output via DVE as opposed to yamaha. In a nutshell, w/the yamaha test tones, I get a sub trim right at 0db, w/the DVE it is still a bit hot at -10!! How will I compensate for this w/the HK7300?

Thanks all as always!!

I’d initially say to turn the volume down on the sub itself.

But, I’m wondering about your channel settings. If you have all the speakers to ‘small’, and then use the X-over settings screen to adjust them, I don’t think the 7300 allows you to adjust the LFE. I thought that was just if the speakers are set to ‘large’ and the LFE is set to R / L + LFE. I’ll have to look at mine later to see.

Regardless of that, you should be using the sub’s volume control.

My question is, how does it sound? If everything is sounding good to your ears, no worries.

I am moving to a new home. Have not hooked up HK yet in current home. My real dillema is why is there a substantial difference between the Receiver test tone (Yamaha not HK) and the DVE test tone when all other channels seem to match regardless of which test tone I use. Which one is accurate? My concern is that when I move and do actually switch to the HK, the DVE may or may not be accurate based on what I was used to from my Yamaha test tones. Why would the two sub test tones be so different?

I am moving to a new home. Have not hooked up HK yet in current home. My real dillema is why is there a substantial difference between the Receiver test tone (Yamaha not HK) and the DVE test tone when all other channels seem to match regardless of which test tone I use. Which one is accurate? My concern is that when I move and do actually switch to the HK, the DVE may or may not be accurate based on what I was used to from my Yamaha test tones. Why would the two sub test tones be so different?

The DVE tones may be at an 85 dB level instead of a 75 dB level that your receiver test tones may be using. Many receivers output a 75 dB test tone to be easier on your ears for calibrating, while the volume is compensated at -10. I am pretty sure Avia uses 85 dB tones, DVE probably does too. Do the other DVE test tones (non sub) also seem 10 dB high, or just the sub?

Just the sub seems to be off. All other channels are within 0-1 Db between Receiver and DVE.

Well, there goes that theory.

Not sure what is going on there. Just make sure when you use DVE that all channels read the same SPL on your meter and you should be good to go.

That's funny--when I use DVE, I calibrate the sub with the db meter 10 db higher than the rest of the speakers. Heard somewhere that that was a bug or feature on that disk. So I make the sub 10 dB hotter than the rest of the speakers, according to DVE. Sounds good to me!

If there is a bug on the DVE disc, then that would explain the difference. That's a very big problem for a calibration DVD. If that is the case then +10 dB for the sub above the other channels would be right on.

Well, from what I understand, it's not a bug, it's a difference in encoding or something. Someone else can explain it; I didn't understand when I read it. In short, I calibrate the sub at 80 or 85 dB and I calibrate the speakers at 70 or75 dB. Which, now that I think about it, makes no sense. Oh well...

It has been discussed around. The conclusion seems to be that DVE is not compensated to take the LFE boost into account.

In addition, its spectral width is wider than the indicated 40-80Hz and goes below 40 Hz. So, a good sub that can reproduce 20-to-40 Hz will output this additional power, which will result in an increase of SPL.

As it is pointed here the levels should be 6-8 dB hot when using DVE .

Great information Gena. Thank you!