Sound Level Meter V.S. Pioneer Advanced MCACC

[The sound guy]

My question is in regards to calibrating the sound level of my home theater system.

I own both the Radio Shack digital SPL meter and the Radio Shack analog SPL meter.

I have the Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS A/V receiver. When setting up my system, is it best to use one of my SPL meters (and if yes, which one) or the advanced Auto MCACC setup and microphone, provided by Pioneer. I thought using a meter to set the level at 75db or 85db at all frequencies, (for flat response) was the more accurate method, but recently I had a hi-end audio shop tell me the Pioneer MCACC was the preferred method because it takes more system variables into account.

What is your opinion?

Thanks again like always, to everyone for their support.

Bob

 

[j_garcia]

I would run MCCAC and then double check it with either meter, as well as all of the settings. IIRC, I thought that MCACC was one of the calibration systems that did not do the best job.

 

[mtrycrafts]

My question is in regards to calibrating the sound level of my home theater system.

I own both the Radio Shack digital SPL meter and the Radio Shack analog SPL meter.

I have the Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS A/V receiver. When setting up my system, is it best to use one of my SPL meters (and if yes, which one) or the advanced Auto MCACC setup and microphone, provided by Pioneer. I thought using a meter to set the level at 75db or 85db at all frequencies, (for flat response) was the more accurate method, but recently I had a hi-end audio shop tell me the Pioneer MCACC was the preferred method because it takes more system variables into account.

What is your opinion?

Thanks again like always, to everyone for their support.

Bob

What kind of calibration are you after? Channel level matching only? Or, speaker room EQ?

The RS meters have been bench checked by others with sensitive and calibrated mics and there is a correction table for it, the analog one, if you are after room EQ.

Also, I'd use the analog to level match it both with the internal test tone and an external test DVD as the DVD goes through the whole chain and would adjust for DVD player channel disparity.