Volume level Question

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

If I put my receiver at vol 55, and calibrated my speakers with an SPL to read 75 db, does that mean I should be able turn it up to vol 55 during movies to experience it way it was meant to be?

On average I put it at vol 40-50 cause at 55 it would be TOOO LOUD!

Separate Question:
Is it just me or is DTS-MA a lot louder?

For example you play a movie in TrueHD and keep the Vol at 50...Then put a DTS-MA movie in and its LOOUD so I have to turn it down to 35-45.

Anyone else Experience this?

[Carlsberg19]

Sort off..im having issue calibrating my speaker system at the moment, i use the built in mic but it's the sub i have issues with, its a down firing sub and im getting alot of vibration, i think its just a matter of getting the BALANCE and BASS BOOST right.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

If I put my receiver at vol 55, and calibrated my speakers with an SPL to read 75 db, does that mean I should be able turn it up to vol 55 during movies to experience it way it was meant to be?
On average I put it at vol 40-50 cause at 55 it would be TOOO LOUD!

Reference level for calibration for home theaters is 75db. For movie theaters is a lot higher. Don't confuse calibration with listening levels. Turn the volume to the level that is comfortable for you.

"All movies, music and games are mixed at a Reference Level in the studio, to be played back at the same Reference Level in the cinema or home theater (0 db on the volume dial for THX Certified Receivers is the studio Reference Level). However, many of us find Reference Level to be too loud for our homes. Still, turning the volume down often means that elements of movie, music and other soundtracks can be lost or perceived differently from the original sound mix."
http://www.thx.com/technologies/loudness_plus.html

"THX Reference Setting for Volume Controls: A key element that THX requires for receivers and pre-amps is the reference setting for volume controls. When a system is calibrated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and a movie is played back at this marked reference setting, (usually zero on the volume control), the audio experience will be at the same volume level that the movie was originally mixed and played back in a theater. To achieve THX certification, components must play at this reference level without breaking, distorting, buzzing, rattling or any other distracting effects."
http://www.thx.com/products/home/tests/rec_testing.html

Separate Question:
Is it just me or is DTS-MA a lot louder?
For example you play a movie in TrueHD and keep the Vol at 50...Then put a DTS-MA movie in and its LOOUD so I have to turn it down to 35-45.
Anyone else Experience this?

Dolby records at reference level. DTS does it 4 to 6 dbs higher. This gives people the false impression that DTS is better.

[callas01]

Good Stuff Big Daddy.

I usually listen to LPCM at -22dB to -18dB
DTS-HD at -19dB to -16dB
DD THD at -16dB to -12dB


Today I put on Incubus Alive at Red Rock(LPCM track) and was trying to push it to see if I got distortion at all, I have had my new Sony 920 for less then a week, and I had it at -6dB. I didn't see my wife trying to answer the phone, she was 4 feet from me screaming and I couldn't even hear her. That $h!t was LOUD. Felt like when I saw Rage Against the Machine in a club that held 400 people and you couldn't hear anything but the music, only the music sounded soooooo much better and cleaner. There was 0 distortion. I am so glad I bought this receiver.