SPL meter

[uniquetreatone]

I brought a digital spl meter fom radio shack yesterday and tryung to figure out how it works.From what i've read from different threads from here and avs I have some kind of idea what to do.
1)Turn the receiver up to 0.
2)Set the spl meter to 80.
3)Set each speaker to 75.
Is this right?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by uniquetreatone

I brought a digital spl meter fom radio shack yesterday and tryung to figure out how it works.From what i've read from different threads from here and avs I have some kind of idea what to do.
1)Turn the receiver up to 0.
2)Set the spl meter to 80.
3)Set each speaker to 75.
Is this right?

Also set the speed to slow and set the weighting to C-weighting. Read the following articles:

http://www.aperionaudio.com/AperionU/spl.aspx

http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/spl.htm

http://www.techlore.com/article/1003...-Meter/?page=1

[uniquetreatone]

Thank you Big Daddy that info really helped.

[Flomaster]

now im a little lost here.

I will be buying the SPL meter tomorrow.

I have a Yamaha RX-V1800 should my volume be at " -70" or "0"
I do notice that I normally watch tv and movies at a level of "-20" give or
take. and at "0" its LOUD.

what I think I need most help with is my sub I'd like to get it dialed in

JBL SUB12

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flomaster

now im a little lost here.

I will be buying the SPL meter tomorrow.

I have a Yamaha RX-V1800 should my volume be at " -70" or "0"
I do notice that I normally watch tv and movies at a level of "-20" give or
take. and at "0" its LOUD.

what I think I need most help with is my sub I'd like to get it dialed in

JBL SUB12

Set the volume of your receiver to normal listening level. Set your SPL meter to 70 or 80. You should be able to adjust the sound of all speakers, including the sub.

It would be helpful to purchase a copy of Video Essentials. It helps you adjust your audio as well as your video. The regular version is currently available. The Blu Ray version of the disc will be available in March for $20 from Amazon.

[Flomaster]

sweet I might as well wait til march for the blu ray version of Video Essentials

[dad2erin]

Originally Posted by Flomaster

I will be buying the SPL meter tomorrow.

JBL SUB12

buy an analog spl meter it will cost less and do the same job.

[Flomaster]

Originally Posted by dad2erin

buy an analog spl meter it will cost less and do the same job.

yeah thats the game plan.

now what settings should my sub be on when conducting this test?

Volume?

Phase 0 or 180

cross over frq 50-150

[Flomaster]

so I ended up getting the digital SPL meter it was 5 dollars more. and has a hold option. seemed to work well. the YPAO that yamaha has and I used to set it up the 1st time was OK, but I tweaked it a tinny bit and I think it sounds better.
now if I knew how to calibrate my own EQ.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flomaster

yeah thats the game plan.

now what settings should my sub be on when conducting this test?

Volume?

Phase 0 or 180

cross over frq 50-150

If you are using one subwoofer, leave the phase at 0 (normal). If you are using two subwoofers, put one in the front and the other in the rear diagonally opposite direction from the front sub and set the phase of the rear sub to 180. If you have full range front speakers, set the frequency of the sub to 80.

Read this article.
http://www.polkaudio.com/education/article.php?id=20

[cris]

Looks like Radio Shack doesn't sell an analog SPL any longer. I found this one from Aperion for $29.00. Looks very much alike to the one made by Nady on Amazon.com - which got a poor (1-star) review. Anyone tried one of these before? Or will these simply be "good enough" for what most of us are trying to accomplish for HT?

http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...43,48,146.aspx

Thanks!

[Cambrian]

I have the Rat shack digital spl meter and it works great.

I use it to calibrate my onkyo 805.

With newer receivers, I believe when you enter the speaker level calibration menu, it automatically sets your level to zero. So it doesn't matter what you set outside of the menu.

Unless you have large floor standing or exceptionally well-built bookshelf speakers, you should set the crossovers on your mains to 80hz. Also set the subwoofer crossover on your receiver to 80. On the subwoofer itself, set the crossover to maximum (turning all the way up). That way, you let your receiver set the cross over and you won't leave any range of frequencies out. Usually you set the phase to 0 but depending on the location of your sub and your room setup, 180 might be better. You'll have to experiment with that.

[ruvic]

From experience.. it is easier to calibrate using an analog SPL meter .. specifically for the sub because you will get a fluctuating measurement.

Originally Posted by Cambrian

I have the Rat shack digital spl meter and it works great.

I use it to calibrate my onkyo 805.

With newer receivers, I believe when you enter the speaker level calibration menu, it automatically sets your level to zero. So it doesn't matter what you set outside of the menu.

Unless you have large floor standing or exceptionally well-built bookshelf speakers, you should set the crossovers on your mains to 80hz. Also set the subwoofer crossover on your receiver to 80. On the subwoofer itself, set the crossover to maximum (turning all the way up). That way, you let your receiver set the cross over and you won't leave any range of frequencies out. Usually you set the phase to 0 but depending on the location of your sub and your room setup, 180 might be better. You'll have to experiment with that.