Need help setting up receiver for surround

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andergar
andergar Posts: 3
Okay, I finally got all my Polk speakers, sub, center and four satellites. Now I have an older Aiwa receiver, and I'm trying to understand how to adjust speaker levels. Right now everything is set to 0db. Now, here is the question: what do I set the speaker levels for each? Next question: I can set delay time for the center speaker, factory setting is 0mS. So what delay time do I set if any? Please help a noob to enjoy his Polk speakers.

Steve
andergar@comcast.net
Aiwa AV D85 Receiver
Polk Csi 1 Center
Polk PSW 10 Sub
Polk R15 mains & surrounds
Post edited by andergar on

Comments

  • Schwingding
    Schwingding Posts: 363
    edited November 2006
    The most correct way to set the speaker levels is with the use of a SPL (sound pressure level) meter. Radio Shack sells the most popular and reasonably priced one. Most receivers have a pink noise test tone that you can use to set the SPL for each one. Play the tone, make sure sound is only coming from one speaker at a time, and record the setting on the meter. Adjust as needed. If no test tone, download a tone from freesounds http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/ . Or buy a test CD from Rives or someone else.

    The goal is to have the db rating for each speaker equal at your prime listening location. That is only a starting point though, many people find that tweaks are necessary thereafter for their own preferences.

    Speaker delay settings are used to ensure that the sound arrives at the same time to your ears regardless of the distance discrepancies in your speakers from the prime listening location. It is an important setting in HT applications. However, if you have only a delay for the center, it is probably an audio/video synch delay feature. Many HT owners have issues with the audio and video being out of sync. This feature can be used to correct such an issue.

    Hope this helps.
    HT/music rig
    Panasonic PX60U 50" plasma
    Yamaha 5990 AVR
    Onix SP3 tube amp
    bunch of Outlaw 2200 monoblocks
    DUAL SVS PB12+/2 subs :eek:
    Denon 3910 DVD/SACD/DVD-A
    DirecTV HR10-250 DVR
    Onix Strata Mini mains
    Mirage OM10 surrounds
    Polk CSi5 center
    Polk SC80 rear surrounds
    Samsung BDP1000 blu-ray player

    Bedroom rig
    Jolida SJ302a tube amp
    Denon 2910 universal player
    Onix Ref 1 monitors
    Velodyne minivee