Calibration Help

AsSiMiLaTeD

Hey guys, need some help with calibration. I know I've seen a thread on this before, but can't seem to find it.

Basically, I need to accomplish two things, and need some know-how to get this done:

1 - I need to calibrate basically the five speakers (fronts, center, rears). I'm going tonight to pick up an SPL meter, but don't really know what to do with it once I get it. How do I calibrate my system to Reference Level...what is reference level. etc???

2 - Once I get those calibrated, I need to dial in the sub. I assume I dial in the sub last? I should download some test tone? From where? I've got several things to adjust on my sub, not sure where to start...It's a 16-46 PCi cylinder...

I know this has been covered before...just can't find any really good info...sorry for the repeat questions.

You know, I think it would be a good idea for Justin to create a new forum, something like 'Common Topics' - and just have several sticky threads on things like general questions and procedures, like a glossary of terms, non subjective stuff...and also include some general procedures like wiring speakers, and of course system calibration... You'd have a list of just a few common items that may cut down on people like me asking the same questions as someone else...

Anyway, I'd appreciate if someone could help me out here with these questions...

Thanks

gatemplin

Maybe Justin can put those threads in the "technical/Setup" forum at the bottom.

As for reference level, you will need a calibration disc. I use Sound and Vision (cheapest, easiest) or you can use Avia or DVE. I believe the ref level for Avia is 85 and DVE is 75 dB, someone will correct me if I am wrong. You turn you receiver up to O dB and then adjust each channel to read 85 dB. These calibration discs are also good for video adjustments.

If you just want to balance the channels the receiver should have internal test tones.

The Sound and Vision disc also has a sub phase, crossover and level tests.

If you want to download test tones try http://beyond_gomer.tripod.com/ which sometimes doesn't work or http://www.snapbug.ws/bfd.htm


If you can get the gomer tones to work, Pjdami has the spreadsheet, the bfd tones have their own spreadsheet.

There is a lot of information and helpful advice from the good doctor in the subwoofer forum about sub setup and calibration.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Do you know what the reference level for the Sound and Vision Disk is? I think that's the one I have. What is DVE?

gatemplin

The reference level for the S&V disc is 85 dB. DVE is Digital Video Essentials and it is highly regarded except for a problem with the sub level.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I don't get how a noise on a DVD can be at a certain db level...isn't it at whatever db level you turn it up to. I can see it being at a certain frequency, but I don't see how they could make it a certain db level...I think I'm missing something here...

MikeT66

I agree I too am confused about the db level to obtain. What do you start setting your master volume at?? I can hit 75db on test tones just by turning my master volume up higher and higher. This is the part I do not understand. I can adjust all 5 speakers individually but it seems like hitting the 75db mark is dependent on my master volume. To low master volume it doesnt matter what I adjust my speakers to I dont hit 75 db. I know this sounds stupid but I am a little confused.

gatemplin

You turn the receiver master volume up to 0dB then play the test tones on the disc. For each individual speaker you adjust the setting to read 85 dB or 75 dB depending on the disc. This level is very loud and is used as a reference. Everyone who does this will have the about the same output at 0dB on the receiver. Most people listen at around 15 dB below reference which would read -15dB on the receiver. Hope this makes it clearer, there are plenty of threads on this topic.

racer4551

I found the easiest way to adjust levels is to play the test tones from whatever reference you decide to use(internal receiver tones,avia,dve,sound&vision,ect) starting with the left fron main speaker,make sure that it is odb in the setup menu of the receiver and turn the receiver volume up till it reads 75 or 85 db on the rat shack meter(set at slow and c weight) then go through each speaker with out moving the master volume on the receiver and match that db reading from the front speaker to all the other speakers in the system.Then note whatever volume you set the receiver to get the 75 or 85 db on the meter,that is the reference volume on your receiver.I do it this way because some receivers dont automaticaly go oo when using the test tones feature.

Joel

Not sure if you guys knew, but Polk has a FAQ and Advice page on their website. Has some answers to common questions on setting up HT, maybe if there's more you'd like to see on there throw some ideas out? Never know who'll see it

Sami

What I would do is (using DVE):

- set all speaker levels to 0dB from the receiver setup
- play the first test tone which is left front
- adjust receiver volume until SPL meter reaches 75dB (DVE), this is now your reference level point, make note of it
- adjust each channel to 75dB using the test tones, something like this for 5.1 setup:

* LF: 0dB
* Ce: +1dB
* RF: -1dB
* RS: +3dB
* LS: +4dB

Then, if you're using DVE, adjust the sub to 88-89dB or if you like the bass, even hotter. The SW signal from DVE is hot by about 12-13dB so you need to compensate that.

It becomes much clearer once you get the SPL and calibration disc but if you want, you're welcome to come over and help me calibrate my newly arriving PC Ultra. That way you could see how it is done (or how I think it should be done). It is coming in about 2 hours... :cool:

This will get you basic calibration, for fine tuning you will need sine waves. Those will give you a graph of what kind of response curve you're getting, if it is flat enough or not. Correcting that is another can of worms then...

Make sure your receiver and DVD player are correctly setup as well. I will dig up a link to a helpful thread in that regard.

Sami

Look for a reply from SVS-Ron

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=198145

Lee Bailey

The reason for the DVE sub level being so hot is because it is an LFE signal, which is designed to be 10db hotter for maximum LFE effects. But, to adjust it, you want to adjust your SW output level, not your LFE level. Just be aware you'll need to turn your meter to a new setting(before it pegs your meter needle).

Another matter is, you do not have to set your system's volume control to 0db before starting your tests. Start lower, and when you are adjusting your Front Left speaker, take the main volume control up the reference level you want, such as 70 or 80db(also makes using the meter easier, instead of using 75 or 85db). Once you have set the first speaker, DON'T TOUCH THE MAIN VOLUME CONTROL again during the rest of the calibration. You'll be using your receiver's remote, or the receiver's front panel, to adjust the rest of the speaker's volume to match the reference volume of the left front speaker. Take a look at the main volume setting, that would be the level you would turn the dial up to when you want to hear something at YOUR reference level.

reeltrouble1

Yes lots of threads but what Racer said is the way I do it. did it?;)