money well spent

burdette

I bought myself the Sound&Vision HT set-up DVD with some money I got for Christmas ($18 delivered if you call Ovation). It arrived this week.

It was great for setting up the TV. I set up my speaker levels by ear... may get an SP meter someday.

I was shocked to find out that I had my mains out of phase... and more shocked to realize the simple reason why was that I reversed the wires at the receiver (had the ribbed side going into negative). Hasn't been that way TOO long (I had to disconnect and reconnect some wires last month and I reconnected in semi-darkness), but it explains why I haven't been happy with my stereo image and why the bass from my 7s wasn't hitting me in the chest anymore.

Didn't catch it until the second time I tested it because I'm usually SO anal about phase, I just assumed I was fine and sort of blew through that test.

Anyway, although the banter between the hosts can be a little cheesy, I highly recommend the DVD. It steps you through the process and is easy to use.

Parts Express has already shipped my new cables (supposed to get here Thursday), so Thursday night I'm going to be as tweaked as I can be on my budget.

Systems

I had exactly the same phase problem with my front R. I didn't check the connections because I was so damn careful to get it right. I assumed it was something else. But luckily, I only had it set up wrong for a short period of time, thanks to the S&V disc.
The problem, as I see it, was twofold--each wire was the same color, the jackets were clear, & the only differentiation was some very hard to spot writing on one jacket. Also, the terminals on the recvr are very close together & difficult to insert wire into. Of all the things you'd think would be easy to "engineer", an easy to spot differentiation in spkr wires would be one of them. But that's probably "beneath" the geniuses who were busy making sure it was free of oxygen!

HBombToo

Originally posted by burdette


Didn't catch it until the second time I tested it because I'm usually SO anal about phase, I just assumed I was fine and sort of blew through that test.

I have also made this mistake... which I'm not real proud of! but goes to show how tools can really help. The SPL meter is a lot of fun to play with and gets you started understanding your room modes.

Burdette
If you want to borrow my SPL since we live pretty close you are more than welcome. My system is tuned and am not going need untill I upgrade my subwoofer.

You can email me @ hnavaroli@alamosapcs.com your local SPCS Carrier

Henry

thehalo8

I was recently given the advice to purchase that DVD too. So I bought it, and it will arrive on Friday. I had always set up my speakers by ear as well, but so many people say it makes a big difference to use a SPL meter. So, I broke down and picked up a SPL meter too. As soon as I fix my left main issue, I will be tweaking everything.

Soccerplyr

Funny, bought the disc monday at Fry's for $15. i use a SPL and must admit I'm addicted to it. I ran the pink niose in my oink almost daily to make sure it was set right. Now that I've run the dvd the only difference I found was my reference level dropped from 61 (niose built in) to 54 (noise from dvd) both measured at 75db. My center channel also dropped a little. It's a fun disc to mess with, I especially liked the different Dolby Digital movie intro's (the one with the water is amazing).
Before I bought terminals for all my speakers I used to put heat shrink on the ends so I could easily make sure the wires where connected properly. You can get some a RS for ess the $5, helps quite a bit.

Jeff

caseymou

the setup disk also instructs you how to "tweak" your tv (RPTV) I think???

thehalo8

Ah Fry's.................I love that place. However I live in South Florida and there are no Fry's on the Eastern side of the US. They really need to start expanding down here; I love that store!! I visit my brother out in Texas every year, and make sure to stop by his local Fry's at least once if not more every time I am out there

kberg

Thanks for the feedback guys. I just picked up the S&V disk today and will tweak tonight.