How prominent are surround speakers supposed to be?

[Cisco in HD]

First I hope this in the right forum since I'm speaking of volume rather than a specific brand.
Now I know how to tune speakers db wise with an SPL meter, now I want to know from people a bit better versed than I is, how faint/prominent are surrounds supposed to be? I understand that surrounds aren't supposed to "noticed". Then again it all depends on personal taste. The 85% or more of the sound stage comes from the front 3 and the back speakers are for "support". The reason I ask is because I watched part 6 of BoB: Bastogne today and the bullets whizzing by and the plane fly overs sounded a bit faint. Is there a general rule about how loud the rears should be? Is there supposed to be a db difference with the front and the rears? If so what's a good difference, for example.

[Johk]

The ideal is to have all speakers at the same dB level.

The rest is content related. The best in my opinion is to use the surrounds as required by the content to create the proper atmosphere.

[Cisco in HD]

Damn Johk, you got me on here and at the harmony thread.

So as an example... having all speakers at +1 including fronts and rears as one 'level' soundstage is best? Or using 0db on the SPL meter as the point where speaker levels should be individualy?

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

Damn Johk, you got me on here and at the harmony thread.

So as an example... having all speakers at +1 including fronts and rears as one 'level' soundstage is best? Or using 0db on the SPL meter as the point where speaker levels should be individualy?

Your SPL meter should read the same for every speaker. Some say 75 or 80db is a good starting point.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

Damn Johk, you got me on here and at the harmony thread.

So as an example... having all speakers at +1 including fronts and rears as one 'level' soundstage is best? Or using 0db on the SPL meter as the point where speaker levels should be individualy?

No they should not all be equal. You have to take in consideration the distance. With the distance being different the db will be different.

[Cisco in HD]

I understand that different speakers WILL have different db settings via the SPL meter to reach at one specific number on it. Let's go with 0 since it's dead center.

My concern are the rears... how faint/loud should they be, obviously they shouldn't overpower the fronts, that's just ass backwards. Could they be on the same db level as the fronts, or do they have to be on a lower db level?

Obviously, this falls into taste as well. I know I like my center a few db's louder than the rest, no more than +3db than the fronts.

[J6P]

Let's define terms real quick, because I think we might be miscommunicating.

What everyone is saying is that all of the speakers should be at the same decibel level when measured from your single, preferred listening position. So, they're all going to be set at different attenuation amounts on the reciever when you are done.

Hold the SPL meter at your favorite spot to watch movies from, and adjust the settings on the receiver with a test tone for all speakers so that they read the same volume according to the SPL meter -- without changing its position.

Is this what you were thinking?

[prankster]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

I understand that different speakers WILL have different db settings via the SPL meter to reach at one specific number on it. Let's go with 0 since it's dead center.

My concern are the rears... how faint/loud should they be, obviously they shouldn't overpower the fronts, that's just ass backwards. Could they be on the same db level as the fronts, or do they have to be on a lower db level?

Obviously, this falls into taste as well. I know I like my center a few db's louder than the rest, no more than +3db than the fronts.

i adjust my surround db's so the test tone levels from all speakers sound the same from my primary seating area. i don't think there is a 'magic number' for your surround; you need to adjust it based on your seating arrangement/room dynamics, etc.

[prankster]

Originally Posted by J6P

What everyone is saying is that all of the speakers should be at the same decibel level when measured from your single, preferred listening position. So, they're all going to be set at different attenuation amounts on the reciever when you are done.

yes

[Cisco in HD]

Cut n Dry, When using a SPL meter, we all know it needs to be in the spot where the main seating is, regardless of room size or shape. Then adjusting speaker levels so all the speakers are on the same SPL meter db.

My concern is can the rear surrounds be a tad bit louder or do they need to be "unnoticed"? Obviously this would need to depend on one's taste.

[prankster]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

Cut n Dry, When using a SPL meter, we all know it needs to be in the spot where the main seating is, regardless of room size or shape. Then adjusting speaker levels so all the speakers are on the same SPL meter db.

My concern is can the rear surrounds be a tad bit louder or do they need to be "unnoticed"? Obviously this would need to depend on one's taste.

i guess in that case it would be personal taste as you stated.

in my case, the sound levels are matched all around from my seating position so the volume sounds equal to the fronts when they are firing. of course you can turn them up or down to cater to your preference

[Cisco in HD]

Thanks prankster.

One last thing, the SPL meter I got from Aperion Audio back when I got my 5.1 (for free, I might add) has either 70 or 80 to pick from, which is better?

[Cisco in HD]

Anyone? For measuring speakers with an SPL meter, which is better to use? 70 or 80db? People have mentioned 75 , but mine only goes by 10s.

[Johk]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

Anyone? For measuring speakers with an SPL meter, which is better to use? 70 or 80db? People have mentioned 75 , but mine only goes by 10s.

Either one is fine (however I don't understand how your SPL meter works, with most you get a reading (analog or digital), does your only indicates if your close from 70/80?).

If your receiver has a relative volume display (+/- dB), the 70/80 dB level will be the zero.

[Cisco in HD]

here's the SPL meter I have
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...43,48,146.aspx

[Johk]

Check out this page: http://www.pat-training.co.uk/multim...ound_meter.htm

Switch Setting Measurement Range
70dB 60 - 76dB
80dB 70 - 86dB

So the switch setting gives you the range...

Check the info from Asperion:

SPL Meter Setup: Switch the weighting to “C” and the response to “slow”. For most receivers, you will set the volume dial to 70 but if your receiver’s test tone is loud enough to “peg the meter,” set it to 80.

So I guess the best is to set it to "80" range.

[Cisco in HD]

Ok. So 80 is best. I have it set to slow response and weighting set to C. All I just needed to know was which number is best on the dial. 70 or 80. Thanks

[ShyBoy]

Read this thread, it will provide you with further info on how to calibrate your speakers. However, if you want to deviate from the general guidelines, that is your preference.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=38765