calibration results with spl - Blu-ray Forum

COASTCUT · 10-22-2012, 04:01 AM

Hi,
I purchased an spl meter after reading Big Daddy's calibration sticky. i put it on a chair at the listening position and calibrated all the speakers at 80db.i watched a 7.1ma movie and it seemed that the front tower speakers were overpowering all the rear speakers. i could not really hear the surround effects because it was like all the sound was coming from the front.

Nick The Slick · 10-22-2012, 04:13 AM

Why 80dB? Try calibrating them for 75dB as this is the norm and is probably what the test tones in your receiver are recorded at. Also, did you point the SPL meter straight up or facing the front/rear? If not straight up, try doing it with the meter pointing straight up. Another thing to keep in mind is if you were standing in front of/behind the meter. It's possible your body was blocking the mic in a way causing you to calibrate one or more of speakers louder than they should have been. Not sure what else to suggest other than that.

COASTCUT · 10-22-2012, 04:27 AM

Hi Nick the meter was standing straight up and i was standing approx 1 mtr to the side. i will set it to 75db and see how i go

COASTCUT · 10-22-2012, 08:21 AM

im looking at buying dve hd basics is this worthwhile buying?

Nick The Slick · 10-22-2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COASTCUT

Hi Nick the meter was standing straight up and i was standing approx 1 mtr to the side. i will set it to 75db and see how i go

Ah, well yes try 75 dB's and see if that helps. If not then maybe you're just experiencing how the soundtrack is supposed to sound and you're just not used to it. Most of the action is supposed to come form your front sound stage, but if you absolutely think it's not right, maybe it's another issue such as speaker placement? Not sure, maybe a more experienced member could comment on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by COASTCUT

im looking at buying dve hd basics is this worthwhile buying?

I've always used the receivers internal test tones or calibration program (YPAO in my case) so I can't comment on those type of discs. I hear they are great for calibrating the picture on your TV when done properly though. Might be worth it just for that aspect.

TripleHBK · 10-22-2012, 07:14 PM

I've always had the same reaction when using an SPL meter to calibrate. Regardless of how many spots I calibrate, or what db I set the calibration at I always felt that the Rear speakers were under whelming. Just bump up the rears a few notches. If it sounds better to you that's all that matters. I've actually read professionals that have done the same thing and have advised to do this when people wanted a more lively experience. If you prefer a bit more activity in your rears then set them to be a bit more active... as long as the result isn't overpowering or gimmicky then it's fine.

bobbydrugar · 10-22-2012, 07:28 PM

Could also have to do with which DSP mode you are using. For instance On my receiver there is a difference between Dolby PLIIX music and Dolby PLIIX Movies and Direct, and DTS Neo, etc as to how sound is steared to the different speakers. And as was previously mentioned it could also be the specific Mix on the Disk you are using or Perhaps you just want a little more Ambiance in which case you can bump the rears/surrounds a couple of DB in the receiver.

Thanks,
T

Big Daddy · 10-22-2012, 08:58 PM

I tried to explain why surround speakers' levels should be set higher than the front speakers in another thread. Go to A Guide to Audyssey Auto Calibration & Other Technologies thread. Check Item #5 toward the end of Post #1 under the title "WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AND WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO".

Quote:

After running a MultEQ calibration and turning on Dynamic EQ, if you find the surround speakers to be much louder than the front and center speakers, that is done on purpose. The researchers at Audyssey have found out that human perception of loudness falls off faster behind us than it does in front. So, Dynamic EQ compensates for that using a human loudness spatial model that looks at the master volume setting and makes the appropriate adjustment to the level of the surrounds. This is designed for content where the overall surround impression should remain the same at all volume levels: i.e. surround movies and music.

COASTCUT · 10-23-2012, 04:07 AM

thanks for the info everyone. im only new to this but slowly learning with the help that everyone has given.ill have a play with it and see how i go.

jlafrenz · 10-23-2012, 12:21 PM

I can't even count how many times I have seen threads where people say they can't hear their surrounds. The surrounds are the least used channels in surround sound. There is not that much information being sent to them. As well, you do not want to directly hear them. They should be more of an ambiance. You may hear them when something moves from in front of you to behind you or around you. As far as the 75db vs 80db, it shouldn't really matter as they are all matched to the same db level. When the main volume is turned up or down, all the speakers maintain the same relationship. If you are at 80db now and level match to 75db, yes the main speakers will be quieter at the same volume setting, but so will the surrounds.

lghaze42 · 12-12-2012, 04:38 PM

What if you can't adjust left and right fronts?Should the other speakers be set to match them even though they will be lower than -75 db?

10-22-2012, 04:13 AM	#2
Nick The Slick Expert Member Top contributor Member since:Dec 2011 Location:Kentucky Home Theater Gallery:27 Blu-ray collection:111 Trading Score:2	Why 80dB? Try calibrating them for 75dB as this is the norm and is probably what the test tones in your receiver are recorded at. Also, did you point the SPL meter straight up or facing the front/rear? If not straight up, try doing it with the meter pointing straight up. Another thing to keep in mind is if you were standing in front of/behind the meter. It's possible your body was blocking the mic in a way causing you to calibrate one or more of speakers louder than they should have been. Not sure what else to suggest other than that. Last edited by Nick The Slick; 10-22-2012 at 04:20 AM.

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10-22-2012, 04:01 AM	#1
COASTCUT Member Member since:Jan 2009	calibration results with spl Hi, I purchased an spl meter after reading Big Daddy's calibration sticky. i put it on a chair at the listening position and calibrated all the speakers at 80db.i watched a 7.1ma movie and it seemed that the front tower speakers were overpowering all the rear speakers. i could not really hear the surround effects because it was like all the sound was coming from the front.

10-22-2012, 04:27 AM	#3
COASTCUT Member Member since:Jan 2009	Hi Nick the meter was standing straight up and i was standing approx 1 mtr to the side. i will set it to 75db and see how i go

10-22-2012, 08:21 AM	#4
COASTCUT Member Member since:Jan 2009	im looking at buying dve hd basics is this worthwhile buying?

10-22-2012, 07:14 PM	#6
TripleHBK Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Aug 2012 Location:Lincoln, NE Home Theater Gallery:52 4K collection:249 Blu-ray collection:3653 DVD collection:742 Blu-ray reviews: 17 Trading Score:47	I've always had the same reaction when using an SPL meter to calibrate. Regardless of how many spots I calibrate, or what db I set the calibration at I always felt that the Rear speakers were under whelming. Just bump up the rears a few notches. If it sounds better to you that's all that matters. I've actually read professionals that have done the same thing and have advised to do this when people wanted a more lively experience. If you prefer a bit more activity in your rears then set them to be a bit more active... as long as the result isn't overpowering or gimmicky then it's fine.

10-22-2012, 07:28 PM	#7
bobbydrugar Special Member Member since:Jul 2010 Location:San Francisco CA Home Theater Gallery:48 Blu-ray collection:1049 DVD collection:427	Could also have to do with which DSP mode you are using. For instance On my receiver there is a difference between Dolby PLIIX music and Dolby PLIIX Movies and Direct, and DTS Neo, etc as to how sound is steared to the different speakers. And as was previously mentioned it could also be the specific Mix on the Disk you are using or Perhaps you just want a little more Ambiance in which case you can bump the rears/surrounds a couple of DB in the receiver. Thanks, T

10-23-2012, 04:07 AM	#9
COASTCUT Member Member since:Jan 2009	thanks for the info everyone. im only new to this but slowly learning with the help that everyone has given.ill have a play with it and see how i go.

10-23-2012, 12:21 PM	#10
jlafrenz Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2010 Location:Columbia, MO Home Theater Gallery:48 Trading Score:4	I can't even count how many times I have seen threads where people say they can't hear their surrounds. The surrounds are the least used channels in surround sound. There is not that much information being sent to them. As well, you do not want to directly hear them. They should be more of an ambiance. You may hear them when something moves from in front of you to behind you or around you. As far as the 75db vs 80db, it shouldn't really matter as they are all matched to the same db level. When the main volume is turned up or down, all the speakers maintain the same relationship. If you are at 80db now and level match to 75db, yes the main speakers will be quieter at the same volume setting, but so will the surrounds.

12-12-2012, 04:38 PM	#11
lghaze42 Senior Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Princeton West Virginia Home Theater Gallery:23	What if you can't adjust left and right fronts?Should the other speakers be set to match them even though they will be lower than -75 db?

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