Equalizer for Home Theatre

[Simplayer]

Hi,
I was wondering if there were any equalizers I could use with my HTiB (the Sony HTSF2000). Also, would it be worthwhile to have one?

[Beta Man]

Do you mean SPL meter? It would help I'm sure, it'd let you know how to adjust the levels on your receiver.

[sokrman14]

Not for a HTIB. It would likely be worth more than the rest of your system.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

Not for a HTIB. It would likely be worth more than the rest of your system.

way too much money for 5 or 7 channels...
new amp and speakers will give you more for the buck

[Simplayer]

Hm, well, I just bought the thing. I'd rather not replace it now.

How much would an equalizer cost?

Am I missing much by not having one?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Simplayer

Hi,
I was wondering if there were any equalizers I could use with my HTiB (the Sony HTSF2000). Also, would it be worthwhile to have one?

AudioControl makes very good equalizers at reasonable prices. Before you think about equalizers, you need to upgrade your system to a high-end home theater system. Otherwise, it is not worth your time and money.

http://www.hometheateraudiocontrol.com/

If your goal is to make your system sound better, buy an SPL meter from Radio Shack (around $50) and DVE disc from Amazon (around $20), and read the following thread on "Calibrating Your Audio with an SPL Meter":
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=38765

[musicman1999]

What is it you hope to accomplish? Multi-channel room correction systems cost in the thousands and are tricky to use.Not needed with a HTIB, it is what it is.

bill

[Simplayer]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

If your goal is to make your system sound better, buy an SPL meter from Radio Shack (around $50) and DVE disc from Amazon (around $20), and read the following thread on "Calibrating Your Audio with an SPL Meter":
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=38765

I'm pretty sure that the levels are about correct for the 1khz test signal, since the system came with a auto-calibration.

I'm just pretty sure that the response of the speaker's isn't uniform across their frequency spectrum.

For example, I can't hear any difference in the 300 track from TrueHD to standard DD.

I'm not really in the position to upgrade, so I was just hoping on some improvements for under 200.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Simplayer

I'm pretty sure that the levels are about correct for the 1khz test signal, since the system came with a auto-calibration.

I'm just pretty sure that the response of the speaker's isn't uniform across their frequency spectrum.

For example, I can't hear any difference in the 300 track from TrueHD to standard DD.

I'm not really in the position to upgrade, so I was just hoping on some improvements for under 200.

Read the thread I suggested anyway. This is the picture and price of one of AudioControl's equalizers. Please sit down before you click on the page.

http://www.soundresearchlabs.com/Aud...p_234-971.html

[Simplayer]

Aiya!

Well that's a bummer.

Edit:
Should I be expecting to hear much of a difference in the lossless tracks as opposed to a 640k DD track? Are my speakers not good enough for that?

[Simplayer]

I might as well ask this here then, since my receiver does have these settings; how should I go about adjusting bass and treble on the system? Do I need to use a SPL and two test tones?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Simplayer

Aiya!

Well that's a bummer.

Edit:
Should I be expecting to hear much of a difference in the lossless tracks as opposed to a 640k DD track? Are my speakers not good enough for that?

There is no doubt that lossless audio is superior to lossy codecs. However, DD and DTS at their higher bit rates are very satisfactory on a good system. How much of a difference you hear depends on four things:

1. Your A/V Receiver, Blu-Ray player, connections, etc.
2. Your speakers.
3. Your room acoustics.
4. Your hearing. Unfortunately, many people over the age of 30-40 have significant loss of hearing due to long-term exposure to loud music (walkman, discman, ipod, rock concerts, blasting car radio, etc.). Usually, the high frequency sound sensitivity gets affected first.

I bet you that if we run a double blind test, a large number of people may not be able to tell one audio codec from another.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Simplayer

I might as well ask this here then, since my receiver does have these settings; how should I go about adjusting bass and treble on the system? Do I need to use a SPL and two test tones?

You don't need an SPL meter for adjusting bass and treble on your receiver. You can use your ears. As a general rule, I leave the bass and treble on the normal (zero) position. In my experience, they tend to degrade the signal.

[musicman1999]

Big Daddy is right leave the bass and treble alone, all they do is distort the signal. Unfortunately what you said about your speakers is correct, when you set up a system you should get as good a speaker as you can afford, they along with the room have the biggest effect on your sound, they need to be good and properly placed.

bill

[Simplayer]

K, thanks for all the feedback.

When I do upgrade, would it be reasonable for me to just upgrade the speakers? I don't think the receiver itself is that bad.

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

There is no doubt that lossless audio is superior to lossy codecs. However, DD and DTS at their higher bit rates are very satisfactory on a good system. How much of a difference you hear depends on four things:

1. Your A/V Receiver, Blu-Ray player, connections, etc.
2. Your speakers.
3. Your room acoustics.
4. Your hearing. Unfortunately, many people over the age of 30-40 have significant loss of hearing due to long-term exposure to loud music (walkman, discman, ipod, rock concerts, blasting car radio, etc.). Usually, the high frequency sound sensitivity gets affected first.

I bet you that if we run a double blind test, a large number of people may not be able to tell one audio codec from another.

I would add listening levels to that list. One of the key advantages of lossless sound is a huge dynamic range without any distortion. Just as with HD TVs/Beamers and seating distance there is relation to Audio quality and listening levels. If you watch movies at night at low volumes to not to disturb the neighbours, lossless won't do much for you.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Simplayer

K, thanks for all the feedback.

When I do upgrade, would it be reasonable for me to just upgrade the speakers? I don't think the receiver itself is that bad.

You'll notice the biggest difference with speakers first...... also, if you're just running standard CD player etc. make sure you go with Fiber-Optic connection if it won't do HDMI and/or you don't have enough/any inputs..... Fiber-optics is very efficient for sound.


When you do upgrade, also consider piecing it together.... Fronts/Center right away while keeping your sub/surrounds will be the biggest change.... Having nice surrounds is nice and all, but most of the detailed audio comes from L/R/Center (center being the crucial piece of the puzzle)

[musicman1999]

I have always found coax digital cables to be better than optical.


bill

[Simplayer]

The receiver has HDMI