Setting Speaker Levels

[EJD]

When setting speaker levels in my Onkyo 805, I'm finding that I have to boost them pretty significantly to get to 75db at my RS meter.

I'm a little reluctant to have such large boosts in the speakers, so here is my question - wouldn't the following two scenarios essentially sound the same?

Scenario #1
Front L +6.5db
Center +7.5 db
Front R +6.5db
Surr L +7.0 db
Surr R +7.5db

Scenario #2
Front L +0.0db
Center +1.0db
Front R +0.0db
Surr L + 0.5db
Surr R + 1.0db

This seems as though it would provide the same levels relative to the other speakers.
Couldn't you just turn up the volume in scenario #2 and achieve the same sound as scenario #1 (assuming you aren't approaching the receiver's limits)?

 

[Adam]

I would say that the two are equivalent, and I'd vote for the second option. The speaker level settings are individual gain adjustments that are relative to the master gain (i.e. volume) setting.

Why do you need to boost them to get to 75dB? What level do you have the master volume set at when you try to read 75dB?

EDIT: I forgot to ask - did you run the receiver through the auto set-up? I think (but forget for sure) that the 805 will set itself up so that a master volume of "0dB" will be the reference, which is probably 70 or 75dB. My pooch is staring at me to go for a walk, otherwise I'd check the manual to make sure.

 

[EJD]

Thanks Adam.

I haven't run the Audyssey yet. I will, but was just doing a quick set up since I haven't had time to go through the whole auto set up.

Changing the volume on the 805 doesn't seem to affect the volume of receiver's test tones.

 

[AVRat]

Scenario 2 like Adam said is fine since you're just trying to balance the speakers. The NHTs are less sensitive therefore requiring more power to obtain the desired SPL.

 

[DD66000]

With my HK receiver I have different channel levels for different inputs. For instance there is a huge differences between the Music Choice channels on C-band sat and the direct 6-channel input from the DVD-A/SACD player.
With the MC channels input, the separate channels levels are around + 7db. For the direct input the levels are around -9db. So when the receiver is first powered up with the default master volume @ -25db the output levels, @ the seat, are about the same.