SPL Calbration w/ THX Optimizer instead of Avia or VE? (1 Viewer)

[Geoff S]

Would saving money on buying a Avia, or Video Essentials DVD be OK, If I just use the THX Optimizer's 75dB Pink Noise to calibrate all my speaker levels with a Analog SPL Meter?

Yay, or Nay?

 

[Bill Kane]

That soundtrack calibration is supposed to be good for that disc only, that is, optimized for that specific DVD sound mix.

Go for the $17 Sound&Vision Tune-Up disk, cheaper than Avia but produced by the same company, at amazon.com Here or maybe thru barnes&noble.

 

[Geoff S]

Hmmm. but wouldn't 75 dB be 75 dB regardless? How do they measure this?

Unfortuantely I only have $40 right now for a Analog SPL meter, so any other Calibration discs will have to wait.

I will do a combo of the THX Optimode on my T2:UE and my receiver's own test tones to find a balance before I get another calibration disc.

 

[Bill Kane]

geoff,

experimenting with yr system and learning more about various ways certainly is a fun idea -- this is a hobby, right?

here's a little read that suggests why THX Optimode may not be spot-on for whole system audio. I cant speak about the video portion. Click

 

[Geoff S]

OK, I just tried it.

Speaker levels sound much more balanced out... however reference volume sounds way to quiet. Here's what I did:

(quick system specs: Denon 4802, BA VR-950 mains, BA VR-12 center, BA VR-10 EX, Def. Tech BP1X surrs. I did not calibrate the sub)

I kept the mains at 0db and adjusted the volume till I hit 75dB on the meter. The center needed to come about -5dB lower, the surrounds 1db up, and the EX -2dB. The reference volume came out to be -12 with keeping the mains at 0.

Bill, I read the link you posted and it states that the THX Pink noise in some cases can be as much as 10 dB off, and it sounds at least 5-10 dB off on mine. Thank you so much for this info. So for now I'll keep the levels the same, and run the volume around -07 to as low as -02 on my Denon to try to get close to what it should be.

I will invest in a better calibration disc, either VE or the Sound & Vision you mentioned next week. Thanks!