Tweaking using an SPL (1 Viewer)

[olskoolfilm]

I wanted to calibrate my home theater using an SPL meter. I have a Yamaha RX-V371 that does not have calibration capabilities. I had an old Radio shack meter years ago. Can anyone recommend a good one that does not cost too much?

 

[DFurr]

Greg I picked up a "like new" Radio Shack analog unit on Ebay for $12.00 a couple of months ago. Don't buy a digital unit.....make sure it's an analog version.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Yeah. The analog models are so much easier to use.

Mine's from the Shack.

I just did a quick check on Amazon and am surprised there aren't many there (analog):

This one.

And this one.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

I have one of the old analog Radio Shack meters, but haven't used it in years. I do recall it was much better than the digital one, though.

There are some free spl meter apps available if you have a smart phone. I would try one of those before spending any money on an analog meter. All it will cost you is a little bit of your time.

 

[DFurr]

There are at least four on Ebay currently starting at $11.00.

 

[Dave Moritz]

How well do they work?

 

[DFurr]

How well do they work?

Dave the one I bought worked perfectly. I set all 11 speakers with no problems.

 

[JohnRice]

I’ve been using one for years.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Hoping to have a new Marantz SR-8012 by the end of next month so I might be picking up one of those meters.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

How well do they work?

The analog meter works very well. I used one with several receivers to set channel levels. For the last couple receivers, though, I have just used the microphone supplied with the unit along with its built-in calibration application.

 

[DFurr]

Since I don't use any type of receiver in my HT I'm curious.....do the receivers I read about used in HT's have built in Pink noise allowing you to set levels with a meter? I'm also curious on the levels most of you have your speakers set on (db levels).
Running Pink noise my stage (LCR) is set on 85db, side surrounds are on 83db, rear EX speakers are on 84db and my dual subs are on 91db.
What say you?

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Since I don't use any type of receiver in my HT I'm curious.....do the receivers I read about used in HT's have built in Pink noise allowing you to set levels with a meter? I'm also curious on the levels most of you have your speakers set on (db levels).
Running Pink noise my stage (LCR) is set on 85db, side surrounds are on 83db, rear EX speakers are on 84db and my dual subs are on 91db.
What say you?

Yes, every modern home theater receiver/processor has a tone generator for each channel and a way to trim the levels for each. Many people use the built-in automated system & microphone (Audyssey, etc.) to set speaker distances, levels, crossovers, etc. I don't recall the levels I set mine to but it's nowhere near what people call "reference level", which I find to be way too loud for the home.

 

[JohnRice]

@DFurr what are you using for surround if not a receiver or pre/pro? Do you have a player like an Oppo that can be used in place of one?

 

[DFurr]

@DFurr what are you using for surround if not a receiver or pre/pro? Do you have a player like an Oppo that can be used in place of one?

John my Dolby CP500 processor is an all inclusive 6 channel processor that provides outputs to the amplifier rack for everything including a feed to the rear EX channel processor. My Oppo player is inputted into a 6 channel db25 connection on the rear of the Dolby CP500 and my automation switches formats depending on what I'm going to watch....35mm (SRD/DTS/Dolby A/Dolby SR/Mono) 4 track magnetic film or the Oppo for Blu Rays. It sound a bit complicated but the automation takes all the work out of switching formats.

 

[Joel_Cohen]

I can highly recommend Audiotools for SPL, RTA and several other useful functions on your smart phone. The phone's internal mike is pretty good for all of this, except falling off at the low end, which only affects the RTA accuracy. An inexpensive calibrated mike that plugs into the earphone jack can fix that. Since the object is to set the level of each channel to match, the absolute SPL is not important. Just be sure to measure each loudspeaker from the same distance if not from your favorite listening position.

 

[Relic1Golf]

There was a digital SPL meter I was looking at on parts express but I can remember what model it was. To take it a step further perhaps using REW and a miniDSP to measure and adjust on the fly or Audessy settings on the receiver.

 

[Relic1Golf]

There was a digital SPL meter I was looking at on parts express but I can remember what model it was. To take it a step further perhaps using REW and a miniDSP to measure and adjust on the fly or Audessy settings on the receiver.

Im sorry Im getting ahead of myself, if youre using an analog source in direct mode an SPL meter will be fine, the minidsp might introduce some coloration/delay in the sound signal but will be ok for home theater. It depends on the material and source what direction you wanted to go.

 

[DFurr]

Revisiting this thread from almost a year ago, for those persons using the analog Radio Shack SPL meter, MAKE SURE you've got the "speed" switch set to slow and the "weighting" switch set to "C".

 

[JohnRice]

Revisiting this thread from almost a year ago, for those persons using the analog Radio Shack SPL meter, MAKE SURE you've got the "speed" switch set to slow and the "weighting" switch set to "C".

Thanks for the refresher. I know it should be on slow, but I can never remember what the weighting should be on.