denon 3806 reference level?

[crazyhorse_aba]

i am getting ready to calibrate my speakers but cannot find the reference level for my receiver.

 

[tbewick]

You'll need a DVD test disc like Digital Video Essentials to set up to Dolby reference level.

 

[crazyhorse_aba]

i have the avia dvd and radio shack spl meter on order from SVS.

 

[MDS]

The internal test tones are sufficient for setting reference level. If you use AVIA or DVE you need to be aware of the level of the their test tones in order to set reference level correctly.

Dolby Reference Level is 105 dB PEAKS at the listening position (115 dB for LFE). The level of the test tones is below 'full scale digital' so you don't want the SPL meter to read 105.

-Internal test tones/DVD = -30 dB: Calibrate so that the SPL meter reads 75 dB if you want Dolby Reference Level.
- AVIA = -20 dB: Calibrate so that the SPL meter reads 85 dB if you want Dolby Reference Level.

Note that you can choose any level you want but by convention 0 on the volume scale is used as the reference point and Dolby Reference Level is the output SPL to use.

 

[j_garcia]

For a non-THX receiver, reference level is whatever level gives you 75dB (or 85 as the case may be) on the first speaker, normally the front left. Ideally, I'd set the receiver's speaker level for the front left to 0 and see what number on the volume dial that gives you, then adjust from there. Once you have the front left set you can match the rest to that. If your test tones are generated and nothing happens when you adjust the volume, then the tone is most likely 75dB with 0 as reference as is the case with THX receivers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'd set the receiver's speaker level for the front left to 0 and see what number on the volume dial that gives you, then adjust from there. .

What he means is that each channel has a trim setting for volume independent of the master volume control. He sets the left channel trim to 0, then adjusts the master volume to measure 75 dB spl on the meter. Then, not moving the master volume control but using the trim pots for each channel adjust to match the left ch volume spl level. Speaker locations, distances, etc may require different trim post settings for the other channels.

 

[crazyhorse_aba]

I was told buy the salesman that sold me the speakers its better to have them set at 0 and below. So if i had one speaker that needed to be set at +2 i should back them all down 2 so nothing was above 0.

 

[RMK!]

What he means is that each channel has a trim setting for volume independent of the master volume control. He sets the left channel trim to 0, then adjusts the master volume to measure 75 dB spl on the meter. Then, not moving the master volume control but using the trim pots for each channel adjust to match the left ch volume spl level. Speaker locations, distances, etc may require different trim post settings for the other channels.

This is the best explanation I have ever seen for system reference level setting. Thank you mtrycrafts.

 

[MDS]

I was told buy the salesman that sold me the speakers its better to have them set at 0 and below. So if i had one speaker that needed to be set at +2 i should back them all down 2 so nothing was above 0.

Ignore that salesman. They need to be set at whatever level is required to balance the channels.

 

[MDS]

What he means is that each channel has a trim setting for volume independent of the master volume control. He sets the left channel trim to 0, then adjusts the master volume to measure 75 dB spl on the meter. Then, not moving the master volume control but using the trim pots for each channel adjust to match the left ch volume spl level. Speaker locations, distances, etc may require different trim post settings for the other channels.

He qualilfied his explanation by saying 'non-THX' receiver and that is very important. THX certified receivers automatically adjust the test tone volume to correspond to 0 dB on the volume scale so you have no choice but to use 0 as your reference position (that is the convention anyway).

With the method described you will end up using whatever volume setting gets you to 75 dB. That's fine if you want the front channels set to zero or you have an older receiver that does not allow independent settings for the front channels. It is not the only way to do it nor the 'preferred' way.

Instead you can pick whatever number on the volume scale you want and then adjust the trims to achieve the 75 dB output level. The front channel trims DO NOT need to all be at zero or below. The trims typically have a range of -12 dB to +12 dB so you have some leeway for choosing your reference volume position, depending on the size of the room and the sensitivity of the speakers.

 

[mtrycrafts]

This is the best explanation I have ever seen for system reference level setting. Thank you mtrycrafts.

You are welcome.
After some practice and reading things that was confusing to me too, I tried for a better explanation and it seemed to work.