kde

Trey -- I just set my KA1000 to the settings above. What do they mean? Boundary Gain Compensation / Phase / Level / Lowpass Crossover??? I want clean bass, not necessarily the hardest bass -- just clean bass that hits at the right time. The only setting I changed per your list above was I turned my "level" back some.

Only looking for opinion, but what "great processor" and "plenty of power" source would you use for the THX Ultra IIs?

Regarding the SPL for the sub... what db do I set it at? The same as the speakers? For some reason I could get my speakers to 75, but I could only get my subs to 72 or 73 and then maxed out for the adjustment I could give. Does this mean that I need to give more power to the sub from the amp to make it louder? When I had the sub at 73 dbs it was too much bass.

Ok - I understand. This really wasn't that complicated. What about the sub? Can I use the SPL on the sub, or is that better set by ear (and vibrations)?

I could only set my SPL to 80 (by 10s so 70, 80, 90, etc), but then I pointed the SPL at each speaker and adjusted until it read 75db. A poster prior said to start at 90db. How do I know if I should do 75, 80 or 90? If I listen to lower volumes, should I do a lower number? What about subs? I could only adjust to a certain level to get them to read 72 or 73 (could not get to 75). EDIT -- Just lowered my subs since they were too much,

Thanks Rich Guy! Sorry you had to post "from the manual" but it is most appreciated. I'll try this today...

How do I make the receiver play test tones? Is there a way to do this without running the microphone set up? If the answer is "read the manual" then I will do that again!

Good explanation. Doesn't seem so intimidating now...

Is there a step by step guide to using a SPL meter (other than the instructions that came with the unit)? Looking for home theater usage specifically. I have a radio shack type unit that was ~$40. Don't have a tripod, but can find access to one if necessary.

This is my first separates system as well. It's been hard to tell the difference between each addition since I made many changes at the same time. I definitely noticed a difference by adding the amp to my old AVR. I also think my tv picture looks more clear -- not sure if this is from the furman or the umc1. I've not had a chance to watch of full movie yet, but hope to soon.

I figured out the screen stretching issue. TV was set to "auto adjust" -- turned this off and everything is fine. Watching the Bulls vs Pacers on TV and think that the tv has never looked better. Additions include the UMC / HDMI Cable / longer power cord to plug tv directly into Furman power conditioner.

Hoping the UMC people can assist with a few questions for a new user. I don't think I would have ever been exposed to Emotiva, unless recommended per the people on the forum. now I have the UPA7 and the UMC1 combination. After reading other posts, it eems that it takes people some time to get used to the UMC 1 and to realize what it can do. 1. Why does my directv screen look "stretched" and the guide doesn't fit the screen anymore. HD channels seem to be fine. (I have the directv hooked to UMC via hdmi, and then hdmi to the tv). 2. Will I be able to use the "trim" buttons on the metal remote via a new Harmony 900? Another way of saying.. can I "trim" with the Harmony?

Do most AVR or Processors automatically select the best surround mode (TrueHD, PLIIx, etc)? I just got the Emotiva UMC-1 and haven't played with it enough yet, but don't think it automatically adjusts. I think my old Pioneer AVR used to adjust (not 100% sure). I would love something that adjusts automatically -- turn the tv or dvd on then the processor takes over and plays whatever best format available.

I assume that 2 channel, means that only the front two speakers play. Why would you only want music from the front of the room? In a theater or stadium, wouldn't the sound "surround" you in the actual environment? EDIT: Note that I wouldn't want the guitar or voice to be coming from behind me, but the echos, etc would seem appropriate.

Realize this is per listening preference, hovever what settings do most people listen to? Movies: Start with TrueHD, and then next best available (assuming TrueHD is the best). Music: Surround or Stereo? If people listen to music in Stereo, then why do dvds come with 5.1 surround for music dvds?

I don't think the UMC-1 switches automatically.

When ya'll watch these movies with better sound -- do you have to set the audio mode on the AVR/Pro each time? So, if you usually watch HD TV in PLIIx, do you manually go in and change the audio setting to True HD or whatever each time you watch a dvd? For reference I jsut got the UMC-1 and haven't figured out the modes yet.

Good information -- thanks. I just ordered the UMC-1 today.

I thought this thread take off more -- thanks to all that have responded. What other brands are warm?

Does the UMC-1 run hot?

I find myself liking more of the "warm" sound versus more of a "bright" sound. I feel that my Pioneer Elite was more of a warm sound with Klipsch than a recent try with an Onkyo that was more bright sound. If I am looking for that bright sound with a PreAmp/Processor (still don't know the difference between these two), what brands or models should I be looking at? Is the UMC-1 a warm or bright sound? How about the Marantz AV7005?

Fast forward to now... I ended up getting that Onkyo 885 from audiogon/videogon. Disclaimer -- the guy I purchased the unit from has been top notch and very straight (even offering to take the unit back) -- this is a request for assistance and not a complaint. After hooking up the system, I have fuzz in my right surround back channel. I've gone through everything that I know (factory reset, re-ran audessey, checked cables, switched RCA from amp, switched speaker cables, checked different inputs, tested different modes, etc). My last hope is hanging on a cable I ordered from monoprice to connect via XLR instead of the RCA jack. Hoping the issue is with the RCA jack. One other thing that was interesting is when I re-ran audessy the speaker was silent, then when audessy started to make the pinging noise I heard the fuzz in the speaker, then when audessy went to the next speaker it got quiet and then started to fuzz when the pinging began again, then did the same for all speakers. Thus, it's quiet when there is no signal, but fuzz when there is.

How many of you replace the stock power cords with aftermarket or DIY cords?

When talking about old and young... was home theater as complicated back then as it is today? For instance... now you have all the different formats, power conditioners, 51. vs. 7.2 to the uneccessary 9.2, to stock vs DIY power cords, etc. Seems like it would have been easier back in the day, Now, companies like Apple are "making it easy" for people and maybe this is the difference... I'm 34.

jarhead sub sound is awesome!