Calibrating Your Speakers

[Snikt]

Hey guys, if your system comes with a calibration microphone, do you recommend using it?

In other words, is it really worth it and does it make that much of a difference?

Thanks again guys.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Snikt

Hey guys, if your system comes with a calibration microphone, do you recommend using it?

In other words, is it really worth it and does it make that much of a difference?

Thanks again guys.

Yes , Use the Microphone ! Put it facing towards the ceiling at ear level at the seating position .

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Yes , Use the Microphone ! Put it facing towards the ceiling at ear level at the seating position .

How much of a difference does it make? I'll definitely do it, but do you notice a major difference?

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Snikt

How much of a difference does it make? I'll definitely do it, but do you notice a major difference?

It will calibrate all the speakers so they are at the proper level as far as the distance to the seating area . Yes it will sound better having them properly calibrated .

[progers13]

To elaborate a bit on CrazyBlue's post, the calibration tool and microphone is a good tool to start with. It will set your speaker distances and levels. In my experience, it helps to do this than to try to set it all by ear yourself. However, using an SPL meter to calibrate my system resulted in much much better results than the tool and microphone. Ideally you want all speakers' volume at the same level (I calibrate mine at 75 db because 85 is just too loud IMHO). You can pick up an SPL meter at Radio Shack for $50. If you search online you can probably find one cheaper. A great investment.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by progers13

To elaborate a bit on CrazyBlue's post, the calibration tool and microphone is a good tool to start with. It will set your speaker distances and levels. In my experience, it helps to do this than to try to set it all by ear yourself. However, using an SPL meter to calibrate my system resulted in much much better results than the tool and microphone. Ideally you want all speakers' volume at the same level (I calibrate mine at 75 db because 85 is just too loud IMHO). You can pick up an SPL meter at Radio Shack for $50. If you search online you can probably find one cheaper. A great investment.

progers is right about using an SPL meter , Here is A sticky by Big Daddy on using one if you choose to get one .

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

[solarrdadd]

if you have an iphone or an itouch you can download an app for $2.00 that will do the job too! I've got one and it works great. got the compass and the bubble level and they are all deathly accurate!

[Snikt]

Will using the calibration mic help with a small delay in sound? Cuz I think there may be a slight delay in sound with my system. Its the BDV-e500w

[GeologyNut]

Originally Posted by progers13

To elaborate a bit on CrazyBlue's post, the calibration tool and microphone is a good tool to start with. It will set your speaker distances and levels. In my experience, it helps to do this than to try to set it all by ear yourself. However, using an SPL meter to calibrate my system resulted in much much better results than the tool and microphone. Ideally you want all speakers' volume at the same level (I calibrate mine at 75 db because 85 is just too loud IMHO). You can pick up an SPL meter at Radio Shack for $50. If you search online you can probably find one cheaper. A great investment.

+1, an SPL meter is a great investment and one that can improve how your speakers sound!

Use your microphone first and then if you decide to get an SPL meter you can adjust volumes so all of your speakers are at the same dB level!

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by GeologyNut

+1, an SPL meter is a great investment and one that can improve how your speakers sound!

Use your microphone first and then if you decide to get an SPL meter you can adjust volumes so all of your speakers are at the same dB level!

Again though, do you guys think calibrating the speakers will help with any possible sound delays?

[rpatt]

In addition to setting speaker distances, running your receiver setup will also adjust frequency response to suit your room.

[JBL4645]

Originally Posted by rpatt

In addition to setting speaker distances, running your receiver setup will also adjust frequency response to suit your room.

Frequency is important on matching LCR the surrounds can be smaller and placed around in arrays to surround as that has always been the goal from the start of surround in cinema.

Most boots levels on centre as its common read on most forum sites. It needs to be addressed with EQ the LCR should have the same tonal lows mid and high otherwise dialogue panning won’t sound smooth when it moves from centre to left or right.

A trained ear will notice huge peaks or narrow ones within a frequency range of 500Hz to 4KHz maybe the odd 8KHz now and then.

My front JBL matching are all B-chain and amplified so if any issue was to crop up in the LF or HF I’d know about and will be able to deal with it. Surrounds have there own EQ per sidewalls and rear wall to get the same smoothness as single front channel on the RTA.

[Irrob]

Originally Posted by progers13

To elaborate a bit on CrazyBlue's post, the calibration tool and microphone is a good tool to start with. It will set your speaker distances and levels. In my experience, it helps to do this than to try to set it all by ear yourself. However, using an SPL meter to calibrate my system resulted in much much better results than the tool and microphone. Ideally you want all speakers' volume at the same level (I calibrate mine at 75 db because 85 is just too loud IMHO). You can pick up an SPL meter at Radio Shack for $50. If you search online you can probably find one cheaper. A great investment.

Agree 100%
As recently mentioned, another cost effective option is an SPL app for iphone users.

[Snikt]

So, if i didn't want to spend the money on a meter, the calibration mic is ok. Thanks guys.

Sorry but one last time, calibrating the speakers will help with the slight delay in sound.

[rpatt]

What do you mean by "time delay"? Are you talking about a lip-synch problem or like a reverb type effect?

[Snikt]

Originally Posted by rpatt

What do you mean by "time delay"? Are you talking about a lip-synch problem or like a reverb type effect?

There lip sync appears to be fine, but some of the sound effects seem to be a little delayed or late. There seems to be a slight second delay in the F/X noises.

[Irrob]

Originally Posted by Snikt

So, if i didn't want to spend the money on a meter, the calibration mic is ok. Thanks guys.

The receiver calibration is ok for the most part. But your audio will sound even better if you calibrate manually with an SPL meter afterwards.