75db or 80db?

[JSChapman]

Which one of the above readings do most of you here on the forums use to balance your hometheater system? I know 75db is the standard but, I think 80db gives me more flexibility. What do you guys think?

[J.4knee]

75, works just fine for me. I do not listen to things very loud.

I also use the digital Rat Shack meter but I calibrate to 75.

[JSChapman]

I use the Digital Rat Shack meter and the test tone from my receiver and I just like to set all speakers to 80db so it sounds as balanced as possible.

[jacksonbart]

78.5

[Zen Traveler]

I use the Digital Rat Shack meter and the test tone from my receiver and I just like to set all speakers to 80db so it sounds as balanced as possible.

That's exactly what I would do. [Y] (Slow/ C- weighted)

[Zen Traveler]

[:S]

[JSChapman]

(Slow/ C- weighted)

Yep! That's how you do it.

[Kain]

For my home theater, at -15 dB on the volume nob, all speakers output 75 dB using AVIA test tones. At -5 dB on the volume nob, all speakers output 85 dB. The reference level for movies is the volume setting where all speakers output 85 dB using a test tone (and this results in 105 dB peaks for the main speakers and 115 dB peaks for the LFE channel). However, this level is usually considered too loud for most people (I know it is too loud for me). As a result, I usually listen with the volume nob at -15 dB (the level where all speakers output 75 dB). This is basically 10 dB below reference.

[Islander]

I use 85dB to set the sub level, just because it's closer to actual listening level than any lower settings, not because of any Dolby or THX recommendations. Also, 85dB is loud enough for any bass modes in the room to be clearly audible, so it's easier to find and address any problems that reveal themselves. I should point out that I just match the sub levels to the main speakers, because 2-channel music is my main interest. However, the settings I end up with seem to work equally well for movies or surround music.

For matching the speaker levels to each other, I use 65dB, reasoning that it's easier on the speakers.

[JJkizak]

I believe I used 98 db as that's where the volume is set (-15) and for movies it is (-25) with PLC-II on the main reciever for CD's and on movies Dolby 5.1 EX or DTS.

JJK

[JSChapman]

My Pioneer receiver's test tone reads (-18) on the display. If I actually listened to anything at that level (which is EXTREMELY loud) I would be deaf!

[RockOn4Klipsch]

I calibrate all speakers to 85dB for HT which we listen to at Ref levels. I think setting it higher than 75 is beneficial for us because it's also our primary room, some DTV station don't come in as loud so it leaves flexibility.

For 2 ch listening I bump the mains and sub up to 100dB and listen between 95dB - 102dB with peaks into the 110 arena. I only listen to it on the high end when the wife is gone.....who would have guessed.

[RockOn4Klipsch]

shoot....... I posted and got a time out and now post is all gone.

anyways I calibrate at 85 dB as it give flexibility for those TV channels that come in quieter.

For 2 ch It's all bumped up another 15dB for an even 100dB which reaches peaks in the 110dB arena.Only when the wife is gone and the neighbors are sleeping......do i listen this loud

[JSChapman]

shoot....... I posted and got a time out and now post is all gone.

Your post went through just fine. It said that to me as well but, mine is still there.

[EM3]

Well I use 75db and run the sub and center channel a little higher than that.