Marantz, SVS, AVIA Calibration issue....

[vdefrancjr]

Greetings all. I am trying to calibrate my system for the first time and am running into some issues, specifically with the sub. Setup is a Marantz 7500 AVR, SVS pb12-plus sub, paradigm monitor 9's (front), CC-350 (center) and titian surrounds.

I ran the auto setup on the marantz and it set the Mains and surrounds to large, center to small. The distances were all very close (within +/- 6 inches). It set the sub to -10 within bass management, both mode, and x-over at 120. (note bass a treble trims set to 0 as well).

At reference level (0.0) in order to get 85db (using a radio shack spl meter), i set the following: ( LF:+3 C:+2 RF:+5 SR:+3 SL:+4 sub: -5)
These seem to be kind of high to me....any thoughts?

So using the Avia DVD within chapter 7, sub level, left-front, etc tests - it explains that there are 2 tones that are normalized and should read the same db. Well i have 2 issues going on here, 1) both tones have different levels that are way different and it alternates between the left-front and the sub, the only problem is, no bass is coming from the sub. when the sub icon goes on the bass is coming out of the left front speaker. Yet in other tests, the sub works fine. what am i missing?

I should note that i am using a Sony DVD player with the Coaxial audio out to the Marantz. The marantz see's all 5.1 chanals and the sub works just find for all movies, music etc, just not on the test with Avia.

 

[j_garcia]

Adjust the sub manually using the receiver's test tones. IMO it works better, and I usually end up adjusting the sub to personal preference anyway. You also have to set the gain on the sub, as that and the receiver's sub level are interactive with each other. Find out what level of gain on the sub gives you 0 on the receiver, if it's too low (~25%) adjust it up on the sub and down at the reicever. If it's too high (75%) adjust it down and raise it on the receiver, until you get about the level you like - shoot for sort of a middle ground between the two.

 

[vdefrancjr]

I will give that a try.

I was/am confused however. I can balance all speakers just fine with the receivers test tones, but when i use Avia, it's like there all off again. That aside from the issue of the sub portion of the DVD not working the way i expect.

I read so many posts here where everyone "Highly Suggests" avia and other brand named setup DVD's and now that i have it, it is not doing what it should.

Am i the only one having this issue?

 

[j_garcia]

I use Avia and VE to adjust video, but not audio. I had a similar experience with Ovation's (makers of Avia) Home Theater Tune Up disc, which is why I still just do it manually with the receiver's tones. Have you tried using the MRAC auto setup?