setting up speaker levels

miandsh2000

is there some tool i can use to set the proper speaker levels? if so, what is it called and where can i get it?

McLoki

get a calibration disk (either digital video essentials or avia) and purchase an SPL meter from radio shack. If you use DVE calibrate all your speakers to 75db, if you use Avia calibrate to 85db. - all with your AVR or pre/pro set to 0 or reference level)

This will allow you to set all speakers to the same volume and calibrate your system to reference level.

Michael

BTW - Avia and the SPL meter can be purchased here. (and from a number of other online sources)

dorokusai

AVIA Guide to Home Theatre Setup

AVIA Guide to Home Theatre Setup

I use DVE but have found AVIA to be a little more user friendly.

Frank Z

http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/spl.htm

millerman 3732

how do I set my avr to 0 or reference level . I've always just turn the level up on one speaker to 85db, and ajusted the rest with the the speaker levels until they all match, am I missing something?

McLoki

The disks that were mentioned (avia and DVE) have test tones on them that will play in each of your speakers. Turn your master volume control to 0 when the tones are playing and then adjust each of your speaker levels to 75db on the radio shack meter (If using DVE) or 85db (if using Avia).

You can also call the maker of your AVR and ask what the tones are set to built into your AVR. (not as accurate in setting reference level as actually getting the level from your DVD player, but you dont spend any more either)

In the case of my Onkyo AVR it was set to 75db. so I just set the volume control on 0 and set each channel of the AVR to 75db.

Michael

millerman 3732

I also have an onkyo a TSXR 600 and 0 on my avr is 0 in which I mean no sound ,0 to 100 no + or - 0 ,so how do I find 0 or refrence level

McLoki

Ohhhh, ok - There are two different reference levels for the volume of your AVR. reference and absolute. One of them the higher number is louder, the other one lower numbers are louder. You want the one that you get a loud volume at 0db.

(sorry, I foget which one it is...)

Michael

Frank Z

From pg. 38 of the manual for your receiver....
Use this menu to set the volume for each speaker so that each volume
is heard by the listener at the same level. This is especially important
for speaker layouts where the left and right speakers are at different
distances or in asymmetrical positions due to room designs and
configurations. These settings and the distance settings performed in
the Speaker Distance menu are vital to create the proper sound space
and dynamics.
Note:
The speaker level settings here are not effective for multi-channel
input sources. To adjust the speaker levels for multi-channel input
sources, you will need to use the CH SEL, LEVEL , and LEVEL
buttons on the remote controller. See page 47.