What determines low dB settings?

[BJP]

I have a Yamaha HTR-5760

Athena AS-B1 Front
Polk CSi5 Centre
Sony HTIB Surrounds
Athena Sub 8

I know you sould have speakers from the same company, but I was adding to my first HT. Soon to be all Polks.

When I do a Auto Setup the dB settings are very low. Currently these are the settings:

FL -6.5
FR -8.0
C -7.0
SL -7.0
SR -8.0
SUB +7.5

I have done previous Auto Setup's for reasons of different sub placements and they range from -4dB down to what I currently have. I find that the sound is dynamic, although dialog from centre is a bit weak.

Is this common? Is it the mix of speakers I have? Is it because my room is "bright" or "warm"? My living room is 16ft x 12ft x 8ft, then there is an opening to a dining room that is 9.5ft x 8ft x 8ft. I would confirm with a sound level meter, but The Source, in Canada(formally known as Radio Shack) does not stock those meters. Don't know who else would have them(not a big concern). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[MDS]

The actual values of the channel trims is irrelevant; ie it doesn't matter if they are all negative, all positive, or a mix of both. They should be set to whatever value is necessary to achieve equal sound pressure from each channel.

All of the things you mentioned: mix of speakers, characteristics of the room (bright or dead), speaker placement, size of the room and distance from the speakers, etc have an affect on the calibration. That is precisely why you calibrate in the first place - to get all the channels at equal sound pressure level. The auto setups do a pretty good job so I wouldn't worry about the actual values, although you can do it manually with an spl meter to compare. If the center is a bit weak, bump it up a tad...no harm done.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Besides what MDS said, you may want to check the accuracy with an spl meter and a test disc

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

From your specs
FL -6.5
FR -8.0
C -7.0
SL -7.0
SR -8.0
SUB +7.5,
it appears your sub it the reason the auto setup dropped all parameters (except the sub) below zero. Try increasing the levels on the rear of the sub, then perform the auto setup again. Do you have your sub placed in a corner for maximum efficiency?

 

[BJP]

From your specs
FL -6.5
FR -8.0
C -7.0
SL -7.0
SR -8.0
SUB +7.5,
it appears your sub it the reason the auto setup dropped all parameters (except the sub) below zero. Try increasing the levels on the rear of the sub, then perform the auto setup again. Do you have your sub placed in a corner for maximum efficiency?

I have my sub set on 4 on the dial, which Yamaha recommends (between 9 and 11 o'clock). My room is not the greatest for good sub placement, but I got it near the front right speaker, which is in a corner. I think your right about the sub effecting the setup Buckeyefan 1. I did two auto setup's last night. The first one did not detect the sub, the results were a mix of +1's and -1's. The second one detected the sub and the results were:

FL -3.5
FR -5.0
C -4.5
SL -4.0
SR -4.0
SUB +5

I did this at night, so it was very quite. The previous setup was done during the day. Thanks for the info .

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If the center channel is still too low, then manually boost the dB rating. I have mine set on +7.

 

[BJP]

If the center channel is still too low, then manually boost the dB rating. I have mine set on +7.

I have a few questions Buckeyefan 1:

1)If I up the dB on the centre would it sound unbalanced with the fronts?

2)Would there be an increase in possible distortion? My receiver is way under power to my CSi5

3)What dB settings do you have on your other speakers?

 

[brian32672]

If the center channel is still too low, then manually boost the dB rating. I have mine set on +7.

WOW, thats like almost maxed out.
Mine is set at +1.0 to +2.5 depending on movie.

My other specs are

L +0.5
R +0.5
C +1.0 - +2.5 DEPENDING ON MOVIE
RS +1.0
LS +1.0
SB +0.5
SW -9.0 TO -7.0 DEPENDING ON MOVIE (sub amp turned up just over half way)

Pioneer VSX-1015tx
Fluance AV-HTB Fronts
Fluance AV-HTB Center used for SB (Have Cadence XC-9 coming)
SDAT Center + SDAT Fronts used as L+R Surrounds (Have Bic HT-63 & HT-65 coming)
NeuNeo HVD-2081 used with 3' Optical

All the stuff that is coming will be here on Tues. And will repost with those.
Both the Bic sets and the Cadence are extremely efficient Bics at 96db and the Cadence for the back surround at 94db.
So I am assuming that all the settings will change dramastically.

Trying to find another XC-9 to make it a 7.1 setup.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I have a few questions Buckeyefan 1:

1)If I up the dB on the centre would it sound unbalanced with the fronts?

With music - yes. With a dvd, not an issue. Depends on the situation. I usually adjust mine from +2 to +7 if my younger kids are asleep or awake. The system is way too loud if my center is more in line with my other speakers. It's the same with the sub. With a cable feed, the sub needs adjusted up about 7dB. With a cd or dvd, it needs turned down. I have a never ending great room. It opens up to my dinette, then my kitchen. It's probably 35 feet before the center's sound hits a wall. I've never had it distort, but that may be due to my graphic internal eq settings on my Denon. I don't boost the higher frequencies. My denon can boost the "overall" gain on the center, as well as the graphic eq gain for a certain given frequency.

2)Would there be an increase in possible distortion? My receiver is way under power to my CSi5

There could be if you don't have the separate gain for "overall" and a "graphic internal eq" gain. Can you direct (or shim) your center channel more towards your listening position?

3)What dB settings do you have on your other speakers?

My fronts are currently set at 0, the side surrounds are at +3, the rear surrounds are set at +5, and the sub is set at -1 for dvd's. Every room has different characteristics. What works for me may not work for you. I've done this enough where I can manually set everything. But it takes some time. You need to play a high quality music cd while setting your parameters if you set up your system manually.

 

[BJP]

I've never had it distort, but that may be due to my graphic internal eq settings on my Denon. I don't boost the higher frequencies. My denon can boost the "overall" gain on the center, as well as the graphic eq gain for a certain given frequency.

My centre graphic eq has 5 bands:

100Hz
300Hz
1KHz
3KHz
10KHz

From -6 to +6 dB

Are you saying I should boost only the 100, and perhaps 300Hz bands?
Would I leave the later three bands flat or drop them?
Also, did you listen to dvd's or cd's when you did your adjustments, or did you use the test tone?

I'm new to tweeking, so I'm a little confused. Your info is greatly appreciated!

Can you direct (or shim) your center channel more towards your listening position?

I had to mount this monster on the wall. My t.v. is only 3.5 thick and the kickstand wasn't long enough. I got it firing right at me

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Try boosting the 1000Hz first. Take it all the way up, then decrease it until you're satisfied. Then take the 300Hz all the way up, then decrease that until it's to your liking. You may even take the 3000Hz up a dB or two.