is it me, the a/v setting or the speakers?

[avncars]

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

[progers13]

Originally Posted by avncars

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

I wouldn't sweat that. Before I calibrated I would have my master volume setting at 37. After I calibrated it became 43. What really matters is the amount of power you're pushing to your speakers. Numbers on a dial / screen aren't really that important in that sense. So long as you are not experiencing clipping or distortion (signs that you're putting too much strain on your amp), you are good to go. Enjoy your newly calibrated setup!

1 other thing to add: if pushing your receiver too hard concerns you, you could always add an amp to the mix. In fact, given the awesome setup you have, some people might even recommend it. Many people here use an amp in their setup. I personally don't, so my knowledge is a bit limited on it, but others can weigh in on it to help you out.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by progers13

I wouldn't sweat that. Before I calibrated I would have my master volume setting at 37. After I calibrated it became 43. What really matters is the amount of power you're pushing to your speakers. Numbers on a dial / screen aren't really that important in that sense. So long as you are not experiencing clipping or distortion (signs that you're putting too much strain on your amp), you are good to go. Enjoy your newly calibrated setup!

1 other thing to add: if pushing your receiver too hard concerns you, you could always add an amp to the mix. In fact, given the awesome setup you have, some people might even recommend it. Many people here use an amp in their setup. I personally don't, so my knowledge is a bit limited on it, but others can weigh in on it to help you out.

The OP is already using an amp.

Originally Posted by avncars

i just recently completed my theater and am starting to second guess all my decesions in equipment...my current setup is 7.1, for front L/R i have Paradigm studio 100 V.5's, my center is a Paradigm CC-690, side surrounds are Paradigm adp-370's and my rear surrounds are Paradigm studio 10 V.5's on stands, and a Jl f112 and Jl f113. The problem im having is i feel like my front sound stage sounds absolutely incredible along with the subs. but the side and rears arent too noticeable at all. i know the surround channels arent suppose to be over powering and are for surround effect, but unless i get really close to them i cant even tell that there on. to power them i have a Marantz Sr8001 for my preout and a B&K 200.7 amp. i used the Marantz in my previos setup, and lost the manual for it long ago. im not really sure which setting is best to leave the Marantz on, and not sure if that would help make my surrounds become more noticeable. would it be stupid to get another pair of Paradigm studio 100's for my rear speakers or is that overkill? im also wondering if my side surrounds are placed too high, the bottom of the speaker begins at about 6' 6". i have no choice for the height cause i dont want people walking into them, but some dipole/bipoles have a speaker mounted at the bottom. would that help me? any suggestions, help or info would be greatly appreciated...

[progers13]

Originally Posted by avncars

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

Originally Posted by fireman325

The OP is already using an amp.

Well, there you go. Sorry, I missed that. I read his original post yesterday morning when I was trying to help him. I forgot when I posted it this morning.

In that case, you should be ok.

[Stu123]

Originally Posted by avncars

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

i max out my knob all the time