CSi3 with rm6005 - overkill?
Is the CSi3 combined with rm6005 an overkill? I fear the CSi3 might take over the small rm6005 satellites. Or will the SPL meter calibration should take care of this? I am buying a new center channel because the rm6005 center channel lacks.
Post edited by mgaitonde on
Comments
-
It shouldn't be overkill if properly calibrated. It's a good thing to use a large center because most of what you hear comes from the center.
Maurice -
And although large by comparison, I'd hardly call a CSi3 large.
-
Hey I did a similar swap. I have the RM6700 set-up and I changed the center channel to a Csi30, the previous line but very similar to the Csi3. Big difference. Much better for movies in 5.1.
You can balance very easy if you have a meter, I have a H/K AVR and it has a set-up in the remote but the center matchs fine with the small speakers. -
Thank you all, for the replies!
Allright! So I bought the CSi3 yesterday and hooked it up.
As you all said, the CSi3 is in no way over-powering over the smaller sats. I like it, huge difference indeed.
But I still have an issue: I calibrated all the speakers using a SPL meter. I matched all the speakers, one by one, to 60dB reading on the meter. But after the calibration, the center channel (CSi3 now) is all the way down to -10dB on the receiver. I played a 5.1 DVD and the center channel is still a low. Obviously, if I raise the receiver's dB level it become more audible. But what is wrong with my SPL calibration?
What am I missing here? Am I not supposed to include the center channel in the calibration process? Or does the center channel have to be calibrated at a higher decibel level to keep it more audible than the sats?
Burly: How did you calibrate your 6700 + CSi3 ?
Please advice. -
mgaitonde:
I have a H/K receiver which has a built-in test mode using the remote which has a poor-mans SPL built in with no meter.
It works the same as using a real SPL meter, tones are played for each channel and it adjusts the db up/down. I found the center to be set too low and have bumped it up based on my listening preference.
Mine was low by only 2 db.
There are several factors in setting up like room acooustics and receiver brand which make it difficult to compare my set-up to yours.
Also I thought tuning with the SPL meter the numers to calibrate are 75 or 80db, C weighting and SLOW response.
You can search for using the SPL on the web. -
Burly,
I've the Yamaha 5660 receiver. I think I did commit a blunder by calibrating the speakers at volume of 65dB instead of the suggested 85dB. I'm not quite sure if it will yield a different result, but I do hope it does! The 85dB is the Dolby Labs Reference Level benchmark, and I am sure it's suggested for a purpose. I'll try it today evening and post my results.
How did you determine you center was 2dB off? Just by listening?
Thanks again! -
No the receiver sets the db for each speaker after running the test tones. You can view them on the tv. The H/K have an OSD, on screen display, that is a menu system with all the settings on the receiver.
So I can look at what the setting in +/- db are for each channel.
This shows the center channel at -2 db relative to the reference setting. -
Ok! I got it.
I see that you are quite new to this forum. Not that I doubt your knowledge in any regards, but I found this thread really informative on SPL calibration:
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10479&highlight=calibration
Go to Dr. Spec's post which is about 6/10th down the page.
Hope it helps! -
mgaitonde:
Yeah that thread is a good read for using a SPL meter.
Unfortunately I do not have a SPL meter right now
.
But I am basically doing the same thing with the built-in meter on my remote.
Let me know how it works out.
I was considering upgrading my front speakers also when money permits. But my problem is the current stock at stores is the new version of the Rti series. But I still need to stay with a bookself size front speaker.
Anyways have fun playing with your speakers. -
Burly:
After an anxious wait during the day, I finally got my hands on the system. I calibrated at 75dB using the receiver's test tones. The result is very obvious: center well defined, more imaging in the sats. I also changed from the polk suggested sub connection to the more standard approach (using line instead of speaker). Keeping all the speakers SMALL gives me the max range. The only range missing is between 90-150Hz for the Fronts (b'coz rm6005 sats start from 150Hz). Well, have to compromise, no choice.
Thanks! -
mgaitonde:
Sounds great. I know what you mean about your front speakers.
But it is the same here, money is keeping me from changing out my front speakers.
Anyways enjoy your system:D
