Receiver and sound question

[avinfoman]

New to posting so excuse if its an idiotic question.. i have a Harman Kardon avr247 receiver. First of all what do the DB levels mean?? I virtually get no sound from my speakers at the low DB levels. I can go over the 0 DB level point when playing my PS3 and pretty much watching tv etc.. What does this mean as far as my receivers speakers go? Bad combo, or good being the fact that they can handle going over that level and still sound good ??

Also if I should be getting more sound at the lower DB levels, is there an adjustment I need to make?

Thank you

[chasarms]

In simple terms, the db level is the output of the signal to speakers. In your case, the db level is likely an attenuation of the actual signal level from the source. That is, it is a cut or boost of the signal level.

In home theater, or any audio system, advanced systems allow you to cut or boost certain speakers compared to others to better balance the overall sound stage of the system.

The reason the lower db levels are lowering output is because, in simple terms, you are lowering the volume to that speaker.

[Kratos3]

My suggestion is to buy yourself an SPL meter from Radio Shack to make sure your system is setup properly in terms of all channels outputting consistent volume to all channels. Use the "test tone" button on your receiver's remote and go through each channel to adjust the level so that they are all putting out about the same volume relative to your listening position. You can also use a disc that has a THX Optimizer on it like T2(and many others) as it has the same pink-noise generator to adjust levels. If you don't like the results, adjust them to your taste. Many receivers have an automatic setup program as well. Just plug in the mic, place it in your main seating position, start the program, and it does all the work for you. However, these are seldom perfect and might require some fine tuning on your part afterwards to suit your tastes. It's better than no adjustments though.

I hope this helps.

[avinfoman]

Thanx for the replies... I guess what i am most concerned about am i getting enough sound. Don't get me wrong it sounds good, but just wanted to know if i could get more?

Can i adjust settings so i get more sound at lower db levels ??

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Kratos3

My suggestion is to buy yourself an SPL meter from Radio Shack to make sure your system is setup properly in terms of all channels outputting consistent volume to all channels. Use the "test tone" button on your receiver's remote and go through each channel to adjust the level so that they are all putting out about the same volume relative to your listening position. You can also use a disc that has a THX Optimizer on it like T2(and many others) as it has the same pink-noise generator to adjust levels. If you don't like the results, adjust them to your taste. Many receivers have an automatic setup program as well. Just plug in the mic, place it in your main seating position, start the program, and it does all the work for you. However, these are seldom perfect and might require some fine tuning on your part afterwards to suit your tastes. It's better than no adjustments though.

I hope this helps.

This is good advice. I created a thread on how to calibrate your audio with an SPL meter.

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

[krazeyeyez]

i am curious as to the OP's original question? my system has an audyssey setup so i am assuming thats the same as the spl only auto, but i would be curious as to what exactly in lamens terms DB means when it comes to setting each speaker up, and when it comes to me changing my volume up and down say from -5DB to -40DB.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by krazeyeyez

i am curious as to the OP's original question? my system has an audyssey setup so i am assuming thats the same as the spl only auto, but i would be curious as to what exactly in lamens terms DB means when it comes to setting each speaker up, and when it comes to me changing my volume up and down say from -5DB to -40DB.

Decibels (db) are the ratio of a sound’s loudness or intensity (as the watt is for electric power) compared to a reference point.

Decibel is a ratio. So, when it is used to give the sound level for a single sound rather than a ratio, a reference level must be chosen.

Decibels use a logarithmic scale.

What does 0 dB mean? This level occurs when the measured intensity is equal to the reference level. So 0dB does not mean no sound, it means a sound level where the sound level is equal to that of the reference level. It is also possible to have negative sound levels. For example, - 10dB would mean a sound level below the reference point.

Sound pressure level is easy to measure and is usually done with a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter. It is still different from loudness.

To determine the loudness of a sound, one needs to consult some curves representing the frequency response of the human ear.

Not all sound pressures are equally loud. This is because the human ear does not respond equally to all frequencies. We are much more sensitive to sounds in the frequency range about 1kHz to 4kHz.

The intensity of a sound reaching a person's ear depends not only on the intensity of the sound produced, but also on the person's distance from the source of the sound. If you were standing one foot away from a loud machine, for instance, you would experience higher decibel level than if you were ten feet away, even though the intensity of the sound produced remains unchanged.

Sound decreases as sound waves spread out over time and distance.

Experimentally it is found that a 10 dB increase in sound level corresponds approximately to a perceived doubling of loudness. To say this differently, you get a perceived doubling of loudness when you increase the sound level by 10db.

[krazeyeyez]

so its normal then for say my speakers to be extremely loud at say -20DB on my receiver?

also when i used audyssey to calibrate my stereo, it set all my speakers at varying -DB and my sub at the maximum negative of -15DB! anyone know how these two different settings enteract with each other when it comes to loudness and sound? the settings on the individual speakers and then on the volume knob as a whole.