SPL Meter - Need Help

[Tryton]

Hi all,

I've been trying for a week to get the sound right on my reciver, but I dont think im doing something right, now all my speakers are at +10 except for the center +4 and sub -4. I have the avia disk and am confused at how they explane it. I've tryed to stand at center of room, sit on couch at the sweet spot, ect. when the test tones are going around, my rears never match the fronts, always lower for some reason. Can anyone direct me on exactly what I should be doing, please walk me through this if you can. I know 57u has tryed to explane to me alittle but i'm still fighting with it. Thanks so much for any help...

[Blaster]

Tryton,
did you/can you program your receiver ? (what model # is it )

big speaker , small speaker , distance , etc.

that could help 'balance' your output if receiver is capable...

just a thought

[LeeS]

You should have the meter in the sweet spot, best seat in the house :) Meter at ear level. What SPL meter? RadioShack? If so, 'C' weighting and 'slow' response. Point the meter straight up.

In the receiver I set my Front left speaker to zero db as a reference, have the receiver volume set so that you get about 80-85 db on the SPL.

Why the front left? Because it is first in the test pattern.

You should be able to get the other speakers in then. If not set the Front left to -5db and try agian.

Use the test pattern that you have to manually advance it to the next speaker.

Most receivers have a built in test tone, if you have that use it instead of the DVD for basic level setup.

Reread what 57U said to do, he is better at explaining things than I am.

Lee

[Tryton]

THanks, I have tryed to use the recivers test tone, but it seems too low compaired to avias test tone, so ok, I have all speakers set to small and the distances are correct, i will recheck to be sure. sit as sweet spot with meter at ear lever and try for a 85dbl spl reading on all speakers.. do I have that right?

[brector]

THanks, I have tryed to use the recivers test tone, but it seems too low compaired to avias test tone, so ok, I have all speakers set to small and the distances are correct, i will recheck to be sure. sit as sweet spot with meter at ear lever and try for a 85dbl spl reading on all speakers.. do I have that right?

Yes. And I would stick with the Avia test tones.

[lizzyh]

:cool: I initally set my speakers up using a sound level meter to get them close.After that I just listened for a few days, not necessarily in a critical way, but just listening.Soon it became apparent where the sound was not in balance and I made 1/2 db adjustments on my processor until I was not distracted by imbalances in the sound.I finally ended up with the three front speakers set to 0db,and the back surround speakers each at -1db.This probably won't work in your situation but it is the best setting I have come up with for my system. It sounds super and I have not changed these settings since. Sound level meters are good for getting the sound close but your ears are better? Hope this helps.

[57U]

Exactly, that is one thing we should never forget. The SPL settings are good for a "balance" but if your ears tell you differently, don't hesitate to change.

For example, some people find the center channel too "weak" when set up with the SPL, and boost it a couple of dBs. This is often true for DD5.1 movies with lots of surround sound and quiet dialogue.

Also, I noticed I could hear my RR a lot more than my LR, so I boosted my LR a dB or two.

[Tryton]

ok, soI should set all speakers to 0 db initially, then run avia till to get speakers at an 85db level?, I guess im confused about the reciver volume as well, 85db is LOUD man! lol not that I mind of course :smokin:

[brector]

ok, soI should set all speakers to 0 db initially, then run avia till to get speakers at an 85db level?, I guess im confused about the reciver volume as well, 85db is LOUD man! lol not that I mind of course :smokin:

That's what I did - I started with my left and right mains set at 85, then did the rest.

[lizzyh]

If your sweet spot is centered between the two front speakers I would set them to 0 db along with the center speaker.Try setting your rear speakers at minus 1 db,2db,etc and see how the balance is. If you can get pink noise to all five speakers at the same time it would help[. Another idea for setting the rear speakers is to be centered between them with pink noise onto both of them and then set the level so that the sound from both of them seems to be centered in your head . Turn off the front speakers when you are setting the rears.Then turn all five speakers on and adjust the level so the sound appears to blend in equally between the front and back. Then listen for awhile and see how you like the balance.

[lizzyh]

Sounds like we think the same way.It took me quite a while to achieve the correct balance but when I got it I knew this was the correct setting. Now I never give it a second thought, I just listen and enjoy.

[mfabien]

ok, soI should set all speakers to 0 db initially, then run avia till to get speakers at an 85db level?, I guess im confused about the reciver volume as well, 85db is LOUD man! lol not that I mind of course :smokin:

The 80-85 db is the range selection for the SPL not the volume for speakers.