I find my SPL meter (with the correction table) and a sweep generator (run on each channel independently and then on both) gives me the best results.

What's the correction table?

Avia is a home theater configuration DVD. And Radioshack sells the SPL meters for about $40 or so. If you search around on hre there's a number of threads that discuss Avia vs. other configuration DVDs (they have various test tones and video calibration tools.)

I actually don't have a DVD player (besides my computer, which might not be very good quality), so I'll look around those threads to see what else is out there. But I'm hesitant to shell out more money on audio stuff...

Thanks!

Your reciever may have a set up feature which plays test tones out of each channel. You can accomplish a similar calibration using those paired with the SPL meter. The AVIA disk (which I don't have, btw) is supposed to be a better method.

Nope, no such feature on my receiver (NAD 320BEE). Sounds perhaps like more of a home-theater thing.

Is there a CD equivalent of Avia for plain stereo systems?

Are computer-generated test tones (again, through the headphone jack) going to be usable?

Compensation Chart

As for the sweep generator, I use the one on this webpage. Make sure you download all the required libraries, though. It's pretty self explanatory, but if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

A few pointers though:
1. make sure you set it to wide under Frequency Range.
2. Set the output level to -5 or -10 if you don't want any clipping, which would harm your speakers in the higher frequencies (especially if you don't have a good soundcard).
3. Put it on manual mode instead of sweep mode so you can work out kinks in your frequency response one at a time instead of trying to do them all at once.

I hope this helps.