to confirm speaker calibration... (1 Viewer)

Dustin Wind · Aug 24, 2003

I just read the NEWBIE FAQ on speaker calibration, but i wanted to double check in "laymans terms".

I put the sound reader at my ear level and start with the left speaker....i turn it up until my sound reader stays on 75 DB....on my receiver thats number "58".
I leave the receiver at "58" and i adjust the center and the backs so its reading 75 DB...all while my receiver is still at "58".

Thats it, done?

Also then when i watch movies, its best to watch them on volume "58"......?

Thanks a ton guys.

Neil Joseph · Aug 24, 2003

The procedure is correct.

Also then when i watch movies, its best to watch them on volume "58"......?

Not if you want to keep your neighbours happy. Reference level inside the home is very very loud.

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Bob McElfresh · Aug 24, 2003

Well you should use test-tones from your receiver or the Video Essentials or Avia DVD for the sound.

A inexpensive camera tripod is a handy tool to mount the SPL meter at ear height. Make sure to angle the meter up about 45 degrees - you dont point the meter at each speaker

Many people find that with their speakers calibrated to 75 db, they adjust their subwoofers to produce 80 db for a bit of extra umph.

But No, you dont listen at this level. You adjust each individual movie to taste or out of consideration for others in the house.

The 75 db is the THX reference level and it's loud enough that you should be able to hear everything clearly. So you use this level for calibration. But not for day-to-day listening.

And some movies - the center is a bit too quiet so dont be afraid to bump the center 1 or 2 settings if needed. Just remember to put things back to the calibrated level at the end.

Dustin Wind · Aug 24, 2003

Thanks guys.
I'm just trying to get prepared for my new house and all new system this coming weekend...my god i can't wait.

I bought a digital reader from Radio shack today....i calibrated my system in here for fun ( even though i move in a few days and all new stuff coming in).

F left = 64
Center = 79
F right = 67

B left = 85
B right = 76

Pretty crazy stuff and i wish i found the this board years earlier!
Thanks for the tip on my subwoofer...setting it to 80...i had NO idea where to begin with it.
Now if i can figure out where in my room to set it up...

David Preston · Aug 24, 2003

Instead of starting another thread on this same subject I have a question. I'm not trying to hijack the thread though. When calibrating do you reset all you speakers to 0 and then do reference tones. Set center to 0 turn up volume to desired calibraring level. Then match all speakers to that. Is this correct?

Mirko · Aug 24, 2003

I'm a little confused.

If I calibrate all my speakers at 75 except for the woofer at 80, does that mean that all the speakers will be playing the same loudness during a movie? I always thought that my rear/sorrounds were supposed to sound at a lower volume than the fronts. Should all 5 speakers be just as loud? I'm not talking test tones here, I'm talking real movie experience.

Thanks,

Mirko

David Preston · Aug 24, 2003

Dustin are you mounting you rears to the wall or using stands. I just took mine off stands and wall mounted them. It sounds so much better. I just thought I ould add that before you set yours up in your new house.

Rick_Brown · Aug 25, 2003

Mirko, if you set all 5 speakers to the same level, then you will hear movies as they were intended to be heard. You are correct that the surround speakers are usually quieter that the mains, but that is because of the way the movie was mixed, not the way the speakers were calibrated.

Dustin Wind · Aug 25, 2003

I bought speaker stands for the back...i didn't know they sound better being mounted on the walls.....interesting.

They sound a lot better? how and why? AHHHH so much to learn.

Dustin Wind · Aug 25, 2003

One last question....ok, mabye not the last

How far away am i suppose to put the back speakers?
I know there suppose to be 2-3 feet above ear level....but how many feet away from my ears?

currently my left speaker is only about a foot away and my right is about 5 feet away......so thats for a 3 person couch and i sit on the left

Thanks guys

I'm also going to assume for the front speakers....they can just be beside the TV? Its a 65" so its pretty long.

Neil Joseph · Aug 25, 2003

When it comes to speaker placement, you will hear various opinions. I prefer the rear speakers to be located behind the listening position rather than the sides. Also, I like a lot of breathing space for all of the speakers. You can imagine that it would not be desireable to have your main (front) speakers located 1 ft away from the listening position. I use the same logic for the rear speakers as well. If your room can accomodate it, try placing them a few feet behind the l.p. and at ear level or slightly above.

I get distracted when the onscreen action dictates sound coming from the rear but the sound comes from the sides.

Ted Lee · Aug 25, 2003

just some random thoughts

'm just trying to get prepared for my new house and all new system this coming weekend...my god i can't wait.

heh. don't forget...when you get to your *new* house, you're going to have to calibrate again. why? because the acoustics will be different in your new location. whenever you move your system, you should always recalibrate. since you noted the levels, you can prove this for yourself. in any case, trust me on this. be sure to recalibrate. heck, it's good practice (and fun) anyway.

did you calibrate from the receiver or from a test disc. like bob said, you should use a test disc if possible. why? because that enables you to include the entire "signal chain" when calibrating. if you only calibrate from the receiver, you exclude the dvd machine (and cabling) from the mix - both of which could influence the sound. but, if the sound is coming from the dvd player first, then you've covered all the bases.

re rear speaker placement. it really is a matter of personal preference. i've had mine up high, right next to the couch, below the couch firing straight up, etc. it really depends on the room. use this article from dolby.com on speaker placement as a starting point. but remember, fine tune it to where you like.

i find speakers mounted on the wall (unless specifically designed to do so) sound too "chuffy" for me. also, if the speaker has a port in the back, then you're obviously not going to be able to wall-mount it. speaker stands do more benefit because they put the tweeter up near ear level - that can dramatically change (usually for the better) the way the speaker sounds.

re speaker distance. it's not really a big deal, since you're going to calibrate. you'll just have the speaker closer to you at a lower volume than the one farther away. also, most receivers (and dvd players) allow you to correct not only for speaker volume, but also for speaker distance.

blah, blah, blah... good luck and have fun!

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