- Joined: November 2008
- Location: New Jersey
- Post Count: 133
I bought a new Denon 2808CI, the DVE calibrating video, and an SPL meter. I'm confused at how I actually set the speakers to the correct levels. I would ask a more specific question, but I'm not sure how to really ask it. I read through the primer/faq and I didn't really get it either. Can someone explain the basic procedure for calibrating audio with what I have here? And I mean...explain as in...very, very, very slow
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
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PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: December 1969
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Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
I'm not sure what you're looking for. Basically you sit in your primary viewing position, set the meter to "slow", hold it ear-high, pointing at the TV, then listen to the test tones and adjust each channel so that you hit the desired number of decibels. ("Reference" is usually quoted as being about 75db if memory serves. A lot of people find this too loud. You should pick the level that feels comfortable for you, then adjust things so that all of your speakers hit the same number from your listening location.)
If you're like most people you'll find that the dialogue gets drowned out by the music and FX channels on a lot of soundtracks when all speakers are set to the same level, and you'll end up goosing the center channel volume a bit to compensate.
Regards,
Joe
- Joined: November 2008
- Location: New Jersey
- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
What volume do I set my receiver to? Do I set it to 75 and increase the channel level to reach 75db on the meter? I'm having trouble just getting started. Once I get started it's not a problem, but I don't know what to adjust really.
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: April 2004
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Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
Gah. 75 dB inside the box is not the same thing as 75 dB outside the box.
What I mean is, if you turn some knob so that your receiver says it is giving you 75 dB you could be hearing a lot more or a lot less in the room with your ears. the sensitivity of the speakers comes into play, here.
What the knob setting is intended to do is make certain that all your speakers are at the same loudness, regardless of what the number is.
SO: turn on your receiver, and turn up the volume knob to set the Left front speaker to something fairly loud. Measure that with your sound meter. Now send that same tone at the same volume knob setting to other speakers, and adjust the individual channel speaker level controls so that the sound meter reads the same value.
Done!
--ignore the man behind the curtain
- Joined: December 1969
- Post Count: 7,079
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
Quote:
| What volume do I set my receiver to? Do I set it to 75 and increase the channel level to reach 75db on the meter? |
The initial level should be whatever you find comfortable for listening to a typical movie soundtrack. My receiver doesn't display in decibels, it goes from -20 to 0 to +20. When I calibrated my system, I started at the 0 position and then adjusted each channel up or down as needed to hit 75db, then tweaked them from there.
What calibration does is
balance the speakers relative
to one another. It isn't a matter of setting an "absolute" level. Once the speakers are calibrated you will be getting the proper amount of sound from each speaker regardless of the total volume level, and that's the point. I don't run my system at one volume level. I turn it down when I'm watching late at night, to avoid annoying the neighbors, and up when I'm watching on a Saturday afternoon when there is a lot more outside noise to contend with. But the balance between speakers remains the same, regardless. (All basically being equal, but slightly favoring the center channel for reasons noted above.)
Regards,
Joe
- Joined: November 2008
- Location: New Jersey
- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
You guys are very helpful. My only issue with audyssey is that I don't have the advanced version that comes with more expensive models. Is it still worth using? I think when I go home I'll use it, and then go over it with DVE and adjust accordingly. Should I use the pink noise to calibrate?
I must say that I was overthinking this. If I were to use the test tones from the receiver itself with a SPL meter, it would be just as good of a balance, correct? And balance is all relative anyways right? Is it safe to say that after people calibrate the balance of all speakers, they almost always go back and tweak a little here and there?
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
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- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
OK. I set it up using Audyssey and it set my speakers to small with the crossover freq of the front speakers to 40hz, the center and surrounds to 60hz, and sub to 80hz. I have a couple of questions. What does this mean? The whole frequency thing has me for a loop. I kinda understand it, the receiver set itself so that the frequency that is below the set value is directed to the subwoofer, right? If so, do these numbers look right?
I also have a question on the setting on my sub. It has two knobs. One for phase 0-180 and one for lowpass 0-120hz. What should these be set at? I ran through the DVE video and the balance that Audyssey set was within .5hz during the pinknoise section. Everything is balanced. I went into the receiver and saw that there was a bit of compensation to make it balanced...making me feel good about Audyssey.
Audyssey is really smart, right? As in...there's no reason to really fuddle with anything once I used it and the speakers are balanced? The manual for the 2808 isn't the easiest read.
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
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- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
Ok thanks. I had the phase at 180, so I guess I should go back and calibrate again with it at 0? The lowpass was already as high as it can go, no bypass available. I did notice that when I put in a movie...the bass track seemed a little low, and the mains didn't have the bass they usually do. I'm going to set the mains to 80hz when I get home. The wierd thing is, you say to set the LFE to 120hz when Audyssey set it to 80hz. I'll change that as well.
I also don't understand some of the functions on the Denon, it's a little complicated.
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
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- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
I had the room dead silent when I started the test, so I'm sure that isn't an issue. I added the speakers I'm using in my sig to make it easier for people to help. The surrounds are KLH as well. They aren't the best, but good enough for now. The mains I have are huge floor standing speakers with 12" woofers, one passive. Again...not the best, but they work for now. The sub is pretty nice though, probably the best speaker in the setup right now (klipsch RW-10) I'll try everything when I get home again...see how it goes. Meanwhile...i'll be looking for speakers
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
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- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
Ok. I keep finding more settings and more stuff to learn. The RESTORER function on the 2808...is this something that should always be off, unless you are playing a wma/mp3 type of compressed audio file? It's hard to decipher which setting would be used even if you did use it. Anyways...
I don't like Audyssey anymore. I did it again and it set my front speakers to large this time. It also keeps setting the crossover to 40hz. Well...I cranked up volume and found that it absolutely sounds better with the front speakers at 80hz, and the front speakers set to small.
I also don't know what to listen to stereo music in. There are so many different choices. I like listening in DIRECT mode, but there is no way to use audyssey when in direct.
So it looks like I'll be using my SPL meter and adjust the internal levels via the DVE pink noise. I just don't understand which pink noise I should be using. Would it be easier to use the internal tones of the 2808?
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
- Location: New Jersey
- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
Are you sure? Either way, I have a lot of questions about playback modes for this AVR. I'm going to start another thread about that...as far as calibrating...I checked it with the meter and they are balanced. As far as speaker setting goes...I need to pop in a DVD to see if it sounds good right? Because I listen to music in pure direct mode. When I changed the frequency from 40-80 and also the setting from large to small it sounded better listening to music, but that doesnt mean it will sound better in standard mode watching movies will it?
I also find it wierd that the bass becomes incredibly distant when i turn the audyssey eq ON. It sounds good, but as far as a whole...I prefer it off. Another odd thing is, the first time I set it up, it set all speakers to small. I placed the mic in about the same spots this time, and it set the mains to large. What gives???
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
- Location: New Jersey
- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
That was very helpful. THANKS! I still would prefer to listen to music in my denon's PURE DIRECT mode. It just seems cleaner and that healthy kind of raw that the artist wants you to hear. As far as movies though...sounds good!
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
- Location: New Jersey
- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
Yea, everything is crisp and in your face. Like that old maxell commercial! I still don't quite understand bass mgt. The sub seems to work as hard as the mains when I'm in pure direct mode, and it definitely looses some punch when I switch out of it.
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
- Joined: November 2008
- Location: New Jersey
- Post Count: 133
Re: DVE confusing me with my 2808CI
After some more trial and error, I've found that the sub still remained in the backround. Even if I turn the Audyssey EQ off, the sub still doesn't sound strong enough. The overal sound does sound MUCH cleaner with Audyssey turned on though. I goosed the volume on the sub itself and it would have to be at 95 percent to actually sound the way I want. I went in the channel levels and found that everything was at 0 or less except for the two surrounds at +2db. Without my meter, I goosed the sub to +5db and it came alive! I have the crossovers all set to 100hz which sound good to me now that the sub is working better.
What is the EXT SUB IN Level? It is at +15, I didn't change this and I don't notice a difference when I do change it.
All in all...I've found that overal sound still sounds better (cinema only) with the audyssey eq on, however...I had to change the frequency of the speakers, and also goose the sub channel level to get it where I feel good. However...this all may change with the more time I spend messing with it.
Samsung HL61A750
Denon 2808CI & ASD-11R
Panasonic DMP-BD35K
Dish Vip722
PS Quintet Harmony One Klipsch KLF-20's Klipsch KLF-C7 Klipsch S-2's Klipsch RW-10
