AVIA - bass & phasing (1 Viewer)

[Nate Nelson]

Well, I finally got around to buying the AVIA DVD along with a rat-shack meter to calibrate my system. I did the best I could based on my limited knowlege and the instructions on the DVD. I watched a couple DVD's and definitly noticed a difference in the fact that the speakers were much better balanced and it made a big difference in the overall soundstage. Worth the invenstment of the $40 DVD and the $40 rat-shack meter? Definitly.
However I got kinda lost when I ran through some of the bass phasing tones and all. I played around with the phase knob on the amp of my SVS and I couldn't hear a difference (goes from 0-180 degrees). It said the rat-shack meter wasn't necessary duing this test so I dont' know what I'm supposed to hear for or if I do use the meter, what I'm supposed to look for. What is this really for and is it all that important?
Also when you play the tone that goes from the mains to your sub so you can set the correct volume level on the sub, is the needle on the rat-shack meter supposed to jump around a quite a bit (quite a bit being +/- 4db?) And yes I had the rat-shack meter setup right (C weighting-slow response)
One last question, how do I know where to set the crossover? I can set it to 100/150/200 on my reciever or I can use the amp on my sub which goes from 50-150Hz. I currently have x-over bypass "on" on my sub and my reciever is set to 150Hz. Does the x-over for each HT differ? And if it does, which test on the AVIA disk should I use to properly set this up.
Sorry for these noob questions :b I do appreciate those that have made it this far in the post though
My system is as follows if it's even important:
Klipsch Quintets for mains/surrounds
Klipsch SC-1 center
SVS 25-31pci
Pioneer D509s reciever
JVC XV-300BK DVD-Player
27" GE T.V.
etc, etc. I know it ain't the best but its all this poor 17 y/o can afford at this time

 

[Troy_K]

Nate,

Needle jumping is normal for sub level tests. It's trying to find an average, and your room may have some big nodes to work with.

I would set the crossover on your receiver to 100hz with those quintets, and leave the sub's crossover disabled, like you have it.

FWIW, I wish I had a system like that when I was 17. Way to go.

Troy

 

[Jeff Pounds]

It said the rat-shack meter wasn't necessary duing this test so I dont' know what I'm supposed to hear for or if I do use the meter, what I'm supposed to look for. What is this really for and is it all that important?

Nate,
That is correct. The phase test with the sub is best done with an assistant who can switch the phase back and fourth between 0 and 180 degrees while you set in the listening position.
If I recall correctly, when the sub is in the proper phase, you will hear a more balanced sound coming from the sub.
When it's out of phase, you'll hear more of the low end... it will be more of a rumble than a balanced tone.
(I might have it reversed, but it tells you what to listen for on the Avia disk).
I had my wife switch the phase back and fourth and I remember it was pretty clear which was the proper setting.
As for what it's for... since your sub can be sitting anywhere in the room and have many different orientations (facing front, facing back, etc.) you can shift the phase setting to make sure it's in-phase with the rest of your speakers. As for importance, I would think that the "difference" you notice will depend on many things, such as your receiver, sub, room acoustics, etc.
My thought is that I would rather have everything set up as it should be, so while their may or may not be any noticable difference, I still want my system to be set up as it should be.... you're spending a bunch of money to get a home theater... it might as well be set up to generate the best possible sound.
Good luck!

 

[Nate Nelson]

Thanks for the responses, from how many views I had I was beginning to think either (1) those who read didn't know the answer or (2) those who read thought it was such an idiotic question that they woudldn't bother spending their time to reply
I had my mom play with the phase knob as I sat in my listening position and looked at the rat-shack meter... ...at the time I didn't know what I was supposed to look or hear for. I'll have to try again now that I have a better idea.
And thanks for the compliments Troy_K. I bought all of it myself minus the T.V. It was broken at the time and my parents paid $100 to fix it and then ended up letting me have it.
Thank yoursleves for converting me into HT At the time I was looking for some better computer speakers and then ran across the quintets. They were pretty cheap so I bought them... ...then bought a reciever. Well, I might as well go 5.1 so I bought a center. Damn, these things have no bass, so I bought SVS. Gosh, I'm tired of running DVDs out through my Computer so I bought the JVC
One thing led to another as you can see. But I'm glad because I have a better HT system than any of my friends. That any my parents are jelous

 

[Nick V]

I am going to be buying a rat-shack meter and I was wondering which dvd to buy. I was gonna buy AVIA but then I saw this S&V dvd that was made by Ovation Software, who as I recall are the creators of AVIA. Which one is more current, and which one would be better to buy if you have a 6.1 system??

BTW, I've been holding off calibrating my system for a few months now, does it really make that big of a difference??

Nate, I know exactly how you feel. I'm 18 and my friends always want to come over to my place to watch dvd's now!!

My System:

Front: Paradigm Monitor 11's v.2
Center: Paradigm CC-370
Surrounds: Polk Audio RM-?? satellites
Surround Back: Polk Audio RM-?? center channel
Sub: 8" Polk Audio, soon to be Carver Knightshadow
Receiver: Yamaha RXV-1200
DVD Player: Hitachi DV-P415 soon to be Panasonic RP-91 or Denon 1600

 

[Nate Nelson]

It does make a difference, that much I can say. I was like you and held off for a long while because I always thought it was a bunch of baloni (sp?). I calibrated it by ear and thought that would be fine. I finally broke down after hearing so much about how a rat-shack meter and an calibration dvd will change your HT system.
Well, it defintily makes a difference. I can't say it'll "change your HT system" but it DEFINITLY balanced my speakers MUCH better. I watched a couple DVD's (parts of TPM, parts of SPR, and Goodfellas) and noticed the sound was much more emersive. I really got into it a lot more. Before I guess my surrounds were way too low and my center was way to high so I never got that "surround sound" feeling as it should be.
So as I said in my first post, is the $40 for the rat-shack meter and the $40 for the DVD worth it? Yep. As others have said, you spend upwards to $1,000+ on a HT system, might as well spend another $80 to set it up how it's supposed to sound.
BTW, nice system nick

 

[Paul Padilla]

Absolutely, Nick!!

I did the "by the ear" method for several months and thought I had things humming. I actually used Avia, but didn't have the SPL meter. Once I popped for that, everything smoothed out considerably. 75db isn't nearly as loud as you might think when it comes to your sub. The big THX intro always caused a low rumble towards the end and I was convinced my sub was under powered. After getting the levels correct, it really rocks (ala those Maxell tape ads).

As for your crossover, acoustics can play a big part too. I spent a great deal of time with both of the low frequency sweep test from Avia, and really watched for frequency drops...changed settings...tweaked and re..re...re tweaked to get the sweep as smooth on the meter as possible. Without a graphic EQ, it won't be perfect, but unless I'm mistaken, sounds like you don't have a wife to piss off...so have fun with it!

 

[Nick V]

Right on guys, thanks for the help.

My problem isn't with the dvd, but more with the SPL meter. I just went to Radio Shack, and it turns out that here in Canada, they have been selling ONLY the digital SPL meters for a while now, and I have no clue where to find an analogue SPL meter. Would it still be worth it if the SPL meter would be costing me $89.99 rather than $30-40???

 

[Nate Nelson]

You might be able to order it from RadioShack.com?
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=33%2D2050
[edit]
I noticed you can't order online:
"Currently we can only take and fulfill online(website) orders from persons
(i) paying in U.S dollars, and (ii) requesting delivery within the 48 contiguous United States only. We cannot take online orders for international delivery"
But you can possibly try this number:
"Alaska, Hawaii & Offshore U.S Territories: While persons in AK, HI, PR, V.I and other U.S territories cannot order online using our website, you can order by calling our Call Center at 1-800-442-7221. Add $10 to rates stated above for Two Day, Standard Overnight and Priority Overnight/Saturday Delivery. Or visit our stores in your area. (Pricing and availability may vary outside the contiguous 48 United States. Subject to carrier service availability to your location.)"

 

[Nick V]

It would end up costing me almost $80 with the exchange rate, tax and shipping, so if I was gonna do that I way as well spend the $10 extra to get a superior digital meter. Hell, this is frustrating, there must be someplace in Canada where I can get an analog SPL meter.
Help!! Anyone in Canada know where I can get an Analog SPL meter?????

 

[Rick Faldo]

Nick: I just bought a digital Radio Shack meter for $64, on sale. You should be able to do the same in Edmonton I would think.
Good luck
Rick