How do you level match surround back speakers

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I just turned the eq off, and level matched manually, and after watching a movie last night, I'm satisfied.

See, we told you! That's exactly what I would have done without a doubt!

 

[Bloodstriker]

Thanks for pointing me to this thread, GlocksRock. I've got the same problem and I think I'm going to stick with the Avia readings. My reasoning is that even though the AVR test tones may be accurate, they are generated internally. A DVD would be more reflective of what's outputted when watching a movie. So, whether it be a problem with the AVR or the DVD player, the output should be correct. The only caveat is if it's the actual Avia disc itself that has the wrong levels - then that would be bad news. But judging by other responses to this post, the Avia disc should be correct.

 

[GlocksRock]

Avia should be correct, as should the internal test tones on a THX certified receiver, and I'm not sure if your receiver is or not, but we still had the same problem, with similar results. So something isn't right somewhere, either on the Avia disc, or with the receiver. I would reccomend calibrating with Avia, and using those settings for about a week, then recalibrating with the receiver's test tones and see which one you like the best. I found that I am hearing my surrounds and surround back a lot better after calibrating with the receiver's tones.

I can't wait for Avia 2 to come out so I can see if that discs calibrations have the same issue.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Avia should be correct, as should the internal test tones on a THX certified receiver, and I'm not sure if your receiver is or not, but we still had the same problem, with similar results. So something isn't right somewhere, either on the Avia disc, or with the receiver. I would reccomend calibrating with Avia, and using those settings for about a week, then recalibrating with the receiver's test tones and see which one you like the best. I found that I am hearing my surrounds and surround back a lot better after calibrating with the receiver's tones.

I can't wait for Avia 2 to come out so I can see if that discs calibrations have the same issue.

So is your SPL meter in increments of 1dB or 0.5dB or 0.1dB?

I think you need a 0.1dB SPL and make sure every single channel reads 80.0dB, not 80.1dB!

 

[GlocksRock]

My meter is analog, and my receiver is in .5 db increments.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My meter is analog, and my receiver is in .5 db increments.

Analog? Is that really, truly acurate enough for a SPL?
I have a Radio Shack analog SPL, but I'm getting a new digital 0.5dB SPL.

 

[GlocksRock]

Analog? Is that really, truly acurate enough for a SPL?
I have a Radio Shack analog SPL, but I'm getting a new digital 0.5dB SPL.

It works well enough for me.

 

[Bloodstriker]

I might be mistaken here, but wouldn't analog be more accurate than digital (if everything else is held constant)?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I might be mistaken here, but wouldn't analog be more accurate than digital (if everything else is held constant)?

Well, I guess the digital is a lot easier for me to use. But I'm sure they both work just as well. I mean if you had a 0.1dB increment SPL meter, wouldn't it seem more accurate if all your levels were between 80.0dB and 80.1dB?

 

[GlocksRock]

Yes, but since I don't use a preamp with continuously variable gain, I can't make adjustments that minute.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yes, but since I don't use a preamp with continuously variable gain, I can't make adjustments that minute.

Oh, yeah, good point. Oh well. I don't think it makes that much difference anyway whether it's 0.5dB or 0.1dB

Could we PLEASE get some GREAT 7.1 movies!!!

I think there are only three movies with 7.1PCM out there and all three SUCK!

I'm beginning to think that 5.1 is as good as we will get!

 

[Bloodstriker]

I'm just gonna hire 7 people to stand in place of where the speakers are, and make them sing to get the surround sound effect. Oh, and maybe get them to stomp their feet at the same time to get some LFE going. I dunno how I'm gonna calibrate that with an SPL though...

 

[GlocksRock]

Oh, yeah, good point. Oh well. I don't think it makes that much difference anyway whether it's 0.5dB or 0.1dB

Could we PLEASE get some GREAT 7.1 movies!!!

I think there are only three movies with 7.1PCM out there and all three SUCK!

I'm beginning to think that 5.1 is as good as we will get!

I agree... who makes the decisions on what movies are in what format? But since I don't have a HD-DVD or BluRay player, it doesn't make much difference to me right now, and PLIIx does a fantastic job of creating a 7.1 experience for me.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Just make certain they are all fat so they will also serve as your room treatments

I'm just gonna hire 7 people to stand in place of where the speakers are, and make them sing to get the surround sound effect. Oh, and maybe get them to stomp their feet at the same time to get some LFE going. I dunno how I'm gonna calibrate that with an SPL though...