Avia calibrates differently than Vide Essentials? (1 Viewer)

[Allen.S]

I find this interesting and bothersome:

I've been messing with getting my HT dialed in, so I balanced everything as well as possible with Avia. I made note that a 75db test tone required a volume of 45 on my Onkyo 502.

Then, for kicks, I ran through VE (much, much, harder to use, IMO.) The test tones required a volume of 55 to reach the reference 75db. Also, my subwoofer had to be turned down a good quarter turn to "balance". Even more strangly, my right front and right surround had to have their levels each tweaked 1db in order to balance!

(Note that all measurements are taken with a Extech EX-407706 analog sound level meter, so maybe it's my meter.)

So, who to trust?

P.S. Here's my working theory: Avia and VE use different test tone sounds, and my room is far from being acoustically "flat" (according to the meter and frequency sweeps). Therefore, this explains the reference level and subwoofer level difference. However, I can't explain the channel level equalization difference.

Care to help? (This is more academic than anything, but I'm a hyper-anal guy about getting things "as good as possible" within budget.)

 

[Phil Iturralde]

You're correct! Use 85 dBc SPL for AVIA; use 75 dBc for VE ; AV REC/Amp internal Test Tones.

Phil

 

[Ilkka R]

Read this and your problem is solved.

 

[Ian-Fl]

It's interesting how small differences can change the entire outcome.
Your room's acoustics might be the cause of the different settings coupled by the 75 and 85 db test tones as you suggest.
I originally found my center speaker was difficult at times to listen to dialogue. My immediate solution was to raise it by a couple of db and blame it on an inferior center speaker.
I've more recently raised it off the ground by 6" and now it's much clearer.
So now I believe room acoustics and placement was a factor.

 

[Allen.S]

Thanks guys!