Volume level for SPL Meter

kuntasensei

Lorneth, with your Onkyo 805, the test tones are a known quantity. Set the test tones to 75dB and you're good to go. You don't have to worry about setting the volume to anything particular - the test tones play at a set level such that 75dB will get you reference level at 0 on the volume scale.

Plus, if you do a careful calibration with Audyssey first, you're good to go. Audyssey doesn't set all channels to a particular level (because the variation in absolute levels of the mics themselves prevent it), but it does level match all the channels properly. After a run-through of Audyssey, you can use your SPL meter to check one channel and apply a global correction, i.e. if your left channel reads 72dB after Audyssey you can bump ALL channels up by 3dB and they should line up right so 0 = reference level.

As I've said here before, if you don't care that 0 = reference level or are using the absolute volume display instead of relative, checking with a SPL meter is unnecessary with the 805 after running Audyssey.

lorneth1

kuntasensei wrote: »

Lorneth, with your Onkyo 805, the test tones are a known quantity. Set the test tones to 75dB and you're good to go. You don't have to worry about setting the volume to anything particular - the test tones play at a set level such that 75dB will get you reference level at 0 on the volume scale.

Plus, if you do a careful calibration with Audyssey first, you're good to go. Audyssey doesn't set all channels to a particular level (because the variation in absolute levels of the mics themselves prevent it), but it does level match all the channels properly. After a run-through of Audyssey, you can use your SPL meter to check one channel and apply a global correction, i.e. if your left channel reads 72dB after Audyssey you can bump ALL channels up by 3dB and they should line up right so 0 = reference level.

As I've said here before, if you don't care that 0 = reference level or are using the absolute volume display instead of relative, checking with a SPL meter is unnecessary with the 805 after running Audyssey.

Thanks Kuntasensei,

This was one of my question apparently and didn't know if my 805's test tone are at ref level. Although after audessey calibration, I found them very similar when using my RS SPL meter w/c came up with they might be close to ref level after all. I might just have to fine tune them a bit though. As far as volume settings, I'm using the relative right now but might have to research their difference. I have a friend who has an AVIA disk and will try to use that for comparison but then again I'm pretty satisfied so far with audessey. Not to disagree with your last statement but I might just check the levels with SPL after audessey for comparison:)

lorneth1

:DGuys, I have my HT setup posted under system showcase. Check it out!!!

McLoki

Looks very nice. One quick (and thankfully cheap) tip would be to pick up some rubber door stops at walmart or something and put them under the back of your center channel. (black would be harder to see)

The goal is to tilt your center channel more twords your listening postion. When you do this, make sure the center channel is sitting on or resting against something so it will not slide forward off of your entertainment center.

Enjoy,

Michael

Kex

kuntasensei wrote: »

Lorneth, with your Onkyo 805, the test tones are a known quantity. Set the test tones to 75dB and you're good to go. You don't have to worry about setting the volume to anything particular - the test tones play at a set level such that 75dB will get you reference level at 0 on the volume scale.

Plus, if you do a careful calibration with Audyssey first, you're good to go. Audyssey doesn't set all channels to a particular level (because the variation in absolute levels of the mics themselves prevent it), but it does level match all the channels properly. After a run-through of Audyssey, you can use your SPL meter to check one channel and apply a global correction, i.e. if your left channel reads 72dB after Audyssey you can bump ALL channels up by 3dB and they should line up right so 0 = reference level.

As I've said here before, if you don't care that 0 = reference level or are using the absolute volume display instead of relative, checking with a SPL meter is unnecessary with the 805 after running Audyssey.

This advice doesn't surprise me, despite all the posts stating the Audyssey does a lousy job. I checked the settings on my h/k setup after EzSet/EQ with Avia and an SPL meter. I thought the auto-calibration had done a pretty accurate job, except for the subwoofer (a bit weak, according to the SPL meter). The Avia disk has a ton of junk which does help understand some aspects of your HT better, but it isn't really all that useful IMO, except for the heck of it, really. It's nice to be able to check things, but I wouldn't go crazy about it. Just use the auto-calibration, setting the mic on a tripod in the listening position. I leave the room and let it get on with it, and then check the settings when it's finished.

Borrow the Avia disk from somebody if you want to play with it. I'm not convinced it's all that useful to own one (I'm going to sell my on the FM whenever I get around to it). JMO!

kuntasensei

Well, Kex... Audyssey's auto-setup is a little more involved than EzSet. You need to do it on a tripod, move the mic to 8 positions, in a particular order, and pay attention to certain basic guidelines while doing it. It requires a little more attention, since it does so much more than just levels and distance (which is why it takes 30+ minutes to do a proper run-through with Audyssey so it can analyze your room's acoustics). Because of this, you can get some horrible results if you don't address your room's acoustic issues beforehand; Lorneth's center channel needing to be aimed down toward the listening position is a good example of this. Audyssey does a great job IF you perform the setup intelligently... but it's very much a garbage in/garbage out proposition.

As for Avia's usefulness, it's worth having for the video calibration at the very least. Its audio tones also provide some very useful stuff for the hardcore tweaker. I own Avia, DVE, GetGray (the best for video calibration and easy to download and burn), and several discs of custom tones that I've encoded to DTS myself for critical system evaluation.

Kex

kuntasensei wrote: »

... Audyssey's auto-setup is a little more involved than EzSet. You need to do it on a tripod, move the mic to 8 positions, in a particular order ...

Good for Onkyo! Maybe that is why so many people criticise it so much. Perhaps they don't always pay attention to the level of detail required. It's easy for the poor workman to blame his tools. I'm sure it's not perfect, no technology ever is, but some technology is good enough for 95% of us. Seems like Lorneth has been careful enough to be happy with his results.

lorneth1

McLoki wrote: »

Looks very nice. One quick (and thankfully cheap) tip would be to pick up some rubber door stops at walmart or something and put them under the back of your center channel. (black would be harder to see)

The goal is to tilt your center channel more twords your listening postion. When you do this, make sure the center channel is sitting on or resting against something so it will not slide forward off of your entertainment center.

Enjoy,

Michael

I figured someone will say something about my center. I have some rubber feet for it just haven't installed them yet but I was very wary since its higher than my listening position. I might have to try this tilt thing see if it makes a difference. By the way, my entertainment center bridge is just a temp, I might have to invest in an actual stand but not right now. Thanks.

Kex

You can pull the plastic off the stand on the Samsung now!

lorneth1

I actually owned an HK AVR-340 prior to my 805 and ran my EZ-set maybe once or twice. Never got really into this calibration until I decided to upgrade my...hold on, here it goes...bose and my receiver to accomodate newer surround formats and lossless tech. Nothing against my HK and really loved it its just that I got a steal deal with my 805.

Kex, I'm really easy to please especially when I'm hearing results which by the way just started after the upgrade. Liked my previous setup but I knew I was missing something with it. I'll tell you though, that reading these posts makes me really want to try other things...not a good idea:) because then I'll never be satisfied:D

lorneth1

Kex wrote: »

You can pull the plastic off the stand on the Samsung now!

HAHAHHAHA!!!!!! Damn! Again maybe it was a bad idea posting those pictures:o I'll be moving in a few months that's why I haven't taken them off but I'll go ahead and take them off, must be my filipino trait:D

Kex

lorneth1 wrote: »

I'll be moving in a few months that's why I haven't taken them off but I'll go ahead and take them off, ...

I moved in June-July this year, and did the same thing (left the plastic on the stand until after the move - I have a 550 series). The original box is pretty good packaging though, if you kept it.