Calibration

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Maurice
Maurice Posts: 517
edited October 2003 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I hear this term mentioned alot on the forum and it sounds like something I need to do. But what is it, and how can I get it.:confused:
Everytime I think I'm out, THEY PULL ME BACK IN!!!!!!

Polk 70's,40,30's
Velo DLS 3500 Sub
JVC 61" HD-ILA
Sony DA4ES AVR
Oppo 981 DVD
Sony CDP-CX235 CD
Signal Bi-wires
AR ProII IC's
Post edited by Maurice on
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2003
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    Radio Shack analog SPL meter (~$35) plus one of a couple calibration discs... Avia or S&V seem to be the two leaders now...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2003
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    for a newbie :confused::confused::confused: explain a little more. i and still not 100% i get the just of it but arent the RS meters off by some amount??? Tour you can do a search and get ALOT of hits and just read up. I havent gotten one yet to play around with. i am waiting to get a couple of more things in line b4 i calibrate (or attempt). BW welcome to the forum.
    Life without music would♭
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  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited October 2003
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    Radio shack spl meters are off on very low frequencies only I believe, but there are lists for correction factors. Calibrating involves following the directions on the discs and taking measurements, changing settings. You will end up with better sound and picture. The most popular disc now seems to be the digital essentials disc from sound and vision magazine.
    Graham
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited October 2003
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    Radio Shack also sells a digital version of that meter as well.. i know cause i just picked one up for 50 bucks a few days ago.. Havent used it yet cause i'm waitin for the new speakers.

    I dont know if it will be more accurate, but its digital if that makes a difference. hehe
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2003
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    The analog is actually preferred over the digital.

    The instructions for the meter include low frequency correction factors.

    Dr. Spec made a couple of definitive calibration posts a few months back. I'll see if I can dig one or both up.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • eclypse
    eclypse Posts: 595
    edited October 2003
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    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    The analog is actually preferred over the digital.

    The instructions for the meter include low frequency correction factors.

    Dr. Spec made a couple of definitive calibration posts a few months back. I'll see if I can dig one or both up.

    Insteresting... Thanks.
    Full 5 channel set of Polk Audio
    Fronts - LSiM 705
    Center - LSiM 706c
    Sides - LSiM 703
    Mits WD-82842 82" DLP 3DTV
    Denon AVR-3313CI Receiver
    Emotiva stealth DC-1
    Emotiva XPA-2/Fronts XPA-3 Center-surrounds
    Oppo 103

    Loving the new Family! :)
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2003
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    Here's one... there's even a better one out there somewhere..

    http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=98554&highlight=extrapolate#post98554
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ToddB
    ToddB Posts: 21
    edited October 2003
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    Where is the easiest place to pick up the Avia or Sound and Vision disk?
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited October 2003
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    Originally posted by ToddB
    Where is the easiest place to pick up the Avia or Sound and Vision disk?
    I got mine on amazon.com and had it i 2 days. I just need a spl meter now,but am waiting to get a few more things in line for the gear
    Life without music would♭
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2003
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    I did a search on dealtime.com and found the Avia for a few dollars less than Amazon and other places.

    Not to muddy the waters, but there is another newcomer to the cal disc field, Video Essentials. Has one issue, but you can read about it here:
    http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12613&highlight=video+essentials
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mrgoodcheese
    mrgoodcheese Posts: 23
    edited October 2003
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    Originally posted by ToddB
    Where is the easiest place to pick up the Avia or Sound and Vision disk?

    Online is the cheapest, but sometimes you'll find them in a Best Buy store. My suggestion is Avia.
    My Humble HT:
    50H81 50" Toshiba HDTV
    Yamaha 5250 receiver
    Center: Polk cs400i
    Fronts: Polk rti70s
    Rears: Polk FXi30s
    Subs: JBL PB-12 corner/old Cerwin Vega 10" behind couch
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  • Maurice
    Maurice Posts: 517
    edited October 2003
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    Thanks for the info guys. :) How much of a difference does calibration make to the picture and sound quality.
    Everytime I think I'm out, THEY PULL ME BACK IN!!!!!!

    Polk 70's,40,30's
    Velo DLS 3500 Sub
    JVC 61" HD-ILA
    Sony DA4ES AVR
    Oppo 981 DVD
    Sony CDP-CX235 CD
    Signal Bi-wires
    AR ProII IC's
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  • stevew14
    stevew14 Posts: 130
    edited October 2003
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    It all depends on how far off it is now. Chances are you'll notice an appreciable difference though!
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  • mrgoodcheese
    mrgoodcheese Posts: 23
    edited October 2003
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    Originally posted by Maurice
    Thanks for the info guys. :) How much of a difference does calibration make to the picture and sound quality.

    It will be quite a large difference for both audio and video, if the components have never been calibrated and/or are at the factory defaults.

    Concerning video, once you've calibrated your TV properly, the picture will at first seem quite dark. But do as they suggest on the DVD and force yourself to watch it like that for a week. It takes a brain time to adjust to a new level. You'll notice a lot more detail in the picture, once you're adjusted to the change.
    My Humble HT:
    50H81 50" Toshiba HDTV
    Yamaha 5250 receiver
    Center: Polk cs400i
    Fronts: Polk rti70s
    Rears: Polk FXi30s
    Subs: JBL PB-12 corner/old Cerwin Vega 10" behind couch
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter