spl

[moreira85]

when calibrating with an spl lets say you calibrate all 5 channels to 75db. What do you do with the Sub?? what should the sub be calibrated to?

 

[ErinH]

Whatever sounds good.

I'd be interested to hear the "technical" answer, though so I'm subscribed.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Erin is pretty much correct on this. Remember a sub should just be an extension of your speakers and not draw attention to itself. I calibrate mine level and then turn up the 60hz range by 4 db for movies.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I agree. The bass for movies is a lot simpler than for music. I crank my LFE 5dB above all the other channels. My Front L+R, Side L+R, Rear L+R are around 65-66dBC. My Center is 66-67dBC. My LFE is around 70-71dBC. I like my room shaken and stirred.

For Music, I don't even use the Trinity Subwoofer.

Once you have all your speakers level matched, you can tweek them a little, like increase your Center by 1dB or increase your LFE by 1dB, etc. The main thing is that it has to sound GOOD to you.

 

[Warpdrv]

I don't think there is a technical requirement for this at all.. That is the beauty of being able to adjust everything individually.. per channel. In my opinion its all up to the listener and personal preference.

I added in to my remote a page on my pronto that I can adjust my SMS-1 and change the bass on the fly.. I know at what settings my measurements are flat for the sub with all the other channels, and bump it up a few db's for normal listening, but then I have the ocasional habit of cranking the bass up for kicks.

Adding a db or 2 for the center channel is also helpful for dialog, or even sometimes I will tweak the 2k-3khz range up a couple of notches depending on the setup.

Try things out and see where your preferences are...

 

[Alex2507]

I noticed that after calibrating everything to be equal at 75db (-15 on my volume control) the SPL's would be all over the place at my normal listening level (-30 on my volume control). Since I'm a condo dweller I usually listen at that level and am asking if it makes sence to calibrate the speakers at the volume that I listen at 95% of the time.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't think there is a technical requirement for this at all.. That is the beauty of being able to adjust everything individually.. per channel. In my opinion its all up to the listener and personal preference.

I added in to my remote a page on my pronto that I can adjust my SMS-1 and change the bass on the fly.. I know at what settings my measurements are flat for the sub with all the other channels, and bump it up a few db's for normal listening, but then I have the ocasional habit of cranking the bass up for kicks.

Adding a db or 2 for the center channel is also helpful for dialog, or even sometimes I will tweak the 2k-3khz range up a couple of notches depending on the setup.

Try things out and see where your preferences are...

Exactly.
And thanks for that spelling correction of TWEAK.

 

[mtrycrafts]

when calibrating with an spl lets say you calibrate all 5 channels to 75db. What do you do with the Sub?? what should the sub be calibrated to?

You need to understand that the spl meter is not linear and since test tones for the 5 or 6 speakers are usually centered around the 1kHz region the LFE is around 40/50Hz or so. So, you need to account for the several dBs the RS meter is off to the low side to have it level with the others. Then, you can adjust to taste.
Also, you may happen to have a good bit of room gain at the listening position at the test frequency so that may also affect the setup. Not an easy, simple answer for you.

Center channel can be fixed by the use of dialogue normalization settings.

 

[moreira85]

i guess what i meant in my original question was lets say you calibrate all speakers to around 75 db maybe the center at 76. when you run the test tone to the sub should there be an actual reading on the spl for the sub??? for example the test tone goes to the sub and you get a reading of 75 db then if you choose you can crank the receveirs sub db level up 4 to 79db if you choose. does this make sense???
i never used an spl and i am aware how to set up the 5 channels with the spl but wasnt sure if i would get a reading with the test tone to the sub.
thanks for all the replies!!!

 

[Alex2507]

There will be a reading on your SPL Meter when you run a test tone through the sub. My receiver however does not put out a subwoofer test tone. Your's does, right?

 

[mtrycrafts]

i guess what i meant in my original question was lets say you calibrate all speakers to around 75 db maybe the center at 76. when you run the test tone to the sub should there be an actual reading on the spl for the sub??? for example the test tone goes to the sub and you get a reading of 75 db then if you choose you can crank the receveirs sub db level up 4 to 79db if you choose. does this make sense???
i never used an spl and i am aware how to set up the 5 channels with the spl but wasnt sure if i would get a reading with the test tone to the sub.
thanks for all the replies!!!

Some receiver's internal test tone generator does cover the LFE(sub) channel; apparently others do not

If yours, don't, you need a test DVD to do this.

Yes, after your initial calibration if you like more bass, increase it to 79 dB.

 

[moreira85]

yes my receiver does put out a test tone for the sub (very low rumble). I will be interested to see what the meter reads with the sub.
i have a yamaha receiver 5960 model, what volume should i put the receiver at when testing tones? guess i fell asleep during that part of the discussion.

 

[Alex2507]

I would think you set the volume at one level and run the test tones. Where does the manual tell you to set that volume to?

 

[mtrycrafts]

yes my receiver does put out a test tone for the sub (very low rumble). I will be interested to see what the meter reads with the sub.
i have a yamaha receiver 5960 model, what volume should i put the receiver at when testing tones? guess i fell asleep during that part of the discussion.

If it is not THX rated receiver then most likely the master volume control will be set by you. Turn it up when it is in the left speaker mode until the spl meter reads 75dB spl; if it is the RS meter, place it in C mode, slow mode and in the appropriate range: 70 will do if either the analog or digital meter that you have. Also set the trim volume for the left speaker to 0 first as well. Then do all the other speakers at the same master volume setting and adjust their individual trim volumes to get the same 75 spl reading.
When it comes to the sub, in most cases, when the meter is also at 75, in reality you will be a few dBs above it. Try this and see if the sub is to your taste. Some still add more. But, don't add too much as then you will have unrealistic sub action when someone just walks or slams a door.

 

[moreira85]

simply said

If it is not THX rated receiver then most likely the master volume control will be set by you. Turn it up when it is in the left speaker mode until the spl meter reads 75dB spl; if it is the RS meter, place it in C mode, slow mode and in the appropriate range: 70 will do if either the analog or digital meter that you have. Also set the trim volume for the left speaker to 0 first as well. Then do all the other speakers at the same master volume setting and adjust their individual trim volumes to get the same 75 spl reading.
When it comes to the sub, in most cases, when the meter is also at 75, in reality you will be a few dBs above it. Try this and see if the sub is to your taste. Some still add more. But, don't add too much as then you will have unrealistic sub action when someone just walks or slams a door.

very very simply said and great explanation thank you!!!