Fine Tuning the System

[ericd675]

Hi I started building up a 5.1 home system 2 years ago. And finally got everything I want. It's all set up, but I haven't gone into any of the fine tuning and I think that this will help. Here's what I`m working with right now.

Onkyo TX-SR803
Axiom m22's Fronts
Axiom VP150 for center
Axiom QS4 v2 for rears
100 cd Sony Carousal
Oppo 981HD
SVS PB12+ subwoofer

I've tried using one of those radioshack db reader and setting it up that way, but I`m not sure exactly what I`m doing. There aren't many settings in the reciever other than basic eq lvls, are there certain adjustments I can make it get better sound? Also on the subwoofer I know about the gain and crossover, but there is also a phase and 3 seperate parametric knobs. Any recommendations for these?

 

[CRIMSON PEARL]

You could buy a "video essentials" dvd, it has a audio section which walks you through the set up of a HT system.

 

[chadnliz]

Rat Shak eter is set to "C" weighting and slow response then get your first main to read 75 or 80db, once you get that set you simply match all speakers to that number....its very simple and take less then 3 minues. For the sub your phase in mainly in relation to placement in room, if sub is very close to mains or in front of room "0" is fine.if its in middle or rear you would play with phase up to "180" to blend its output with mains.
One simple test could be done if you have a DVD movie that is "THX" as there is a useful phase test for all speakers to make sure you hooed up speakers making sure positive didnt get mixed up with negative on either end, when a speaker is out of phase it will sound very disperse and hard to place exactly where the sound is coming from.
There are no real settings that are useful other than personal prefrence on your Onkyo as long as you have speakers set correctly for size, crossover and disance from your seat and have digital inputs set up correct that is all that is critical to start learning what you prefer.
If you want any help let me know and I can walk you hru all of this on phone, we can get youup and runing in short order............cheers

 

[Midcow2]

nice sytems your next steps would be ...

Look at you speaker placement.

You at the level where you might want to consider acoustic treatment.

The real question... What are you trying to improve ? or is there any specific area that is bothering you /

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker setup.

In addition to adjusting the speaker levels (w/ SPL meter) and distance setting, make sure all of your speakers are set to "SMALL" and start with a crossover of 80 Hz. The sub location can also significantly effect performance.

The S&V or Avia calibration disc will help you calibrate the sound and video settings for your system to maximize the performance.

 

[ericd675]

Allright, I`ll go through with the RS spl meter and set everything. The problem I'm having is the sub is rather low when playing dvds/games, but with a cd the bass is fine. Also they're isn't much to distinguish the sound of the left and right fronts from the center. I was messing with the panarama setting, but I`m not sure exactly what this is doing.

 

[MDS]

Also they're isn't much to distinguish the sound of the left and right fronts from the center. I was messing with the panarama setting, but I`m not sure exactly what this is doing.

So you're using PLII Music mode. Panorama spreads some of the front sound to the surrounds. The effect is sometimes very subtle and I usually leave it off.

You can adjust the Center Width parameter to a number greater than 3 to spread the center sound out to the front speakers. If you want more emphasis on the center, adjust the number down to below 3.

 

[ericd675]

Is there a certain volume setting your suppose to use when checking the lvls? I did it at -30 average sound. The right and back right were both pretty low, while the subwoofer was 20dbs higher. I`m keeping it up 6 dbs, to suit my taste. Is screwing with the parametric settings worthwhile? Or that pretty much nitpicking.

 

[MDS]

Is there a certain volume setting your suppose to use when checking the lvls? I did it at -30 average sound.

Isn't the Onkyo 803 THX certified? IIRC it is and thus the volume level will automatically increase to 0 when you start the test tones and the actual position of the volume knob is irrelevant.

As the tones progress from channel to channel (or you move them manually using the ch sel button) adjust the levels until the meter reads 75 dB.

 

[ericd675]

Allright ran through all these helped somewhat. I did the improvised subwoofer test, kneeing on the ground.... And I`m guessing it's where the subwoofer is placed at.

It's in an "open corner" Basicall two rooms split by 2 foot wall. And in the kitty corner a regular corner the bass is a lot deeper and actually felt, while in the Matrix. One crazy movie.

Besides that the room is covered in 2 walls by this tacky 70's style, orange colored curtains, basically ceiling to floor. But they are very thick, and I bet act as great sound deadener.