m00n Posted April 21, 2002 Share Posted April 21, 2002 I don't have a db level meter yet so I don't know exactly how well my system is balanced. However, I have suspect that my surrounds are going to need to be cranked rather high to get them balanced out. This is because of the hight and how far appart they are. If, for example when I am adjusting my system, if talking my surrounds all the way up to 10 does not balance the sound, that would mean I would have to take the center channel below 0 right?. If I have to take my center and main channels below 0 to balance the surrounds, will that have a bad impact on overall sound quality of the system? Thanks all. ------------------ Internet Software Engineer: Will code for HT upgrades. the m00n system RF-3II Front floors RC-3II Center RS-3II Surrounds RSW-12 Subwoofer Harman Kardon AVR 520 Toshiba SD 3205 DVD Samsung 27" Flatscreen c> Microsoft XBOXc> f> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShapeShifter Posted April 21, 2002 Share Posted April 21, 2002 If you use a DVD Systems Set Up Disc and an SPL Meter. You will have adjusted each channels volume, plus sub volume to an appropriate Theater Reference Level. The SPL Meter and Set Up Disc basically eliminates the subjective and guess work. ------------------ "KLIPSCH IS MUSIC"f> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin S Posted April 21, 2002 Share Posted April 21, 2002 Moon, It does not matter where on the scale your speakers volume settings end up as long as they are all balanced with each other. The balanced relationship between the speakers will remain regardless of where your main volume control is set. When balanced, where the settings end up have no affect on the quality of the sound. However, I would try to balance the speakers out in a way that you do not have to place any of them at the maximum input volume, ie: +10. Some receivers will clip the input signal at their maximum settings. For example, if the surrounds will only balance at +10 when the other speakers are at 0, I would suggest setting the surrounds at +5 and lowering the other speakers to -5. You really should get a Radio Shack SPL meter. You will not achieve the proper balance by ear. IMHO the meter and a disc with test tones are the best tweaks you can buy. They are invaluable for properly setting up speakers and subs. And they are about the least expensive as well. Hope this helps. ------------------ L/C/R: Klipsch Heresy II Surround: Klipsch RS-3 Subwoofers: 2 HSU-VTF-2 Pre/Pro/Tuner: McIntosh MX-132 AMP: McIntosh MC-7205 DVD: McIntosh MVP-831 CD Transport: Bang & Olufsen Beosound 9000 Turntable: Denon DP-72L Cassette: Nakamichi BX-1 T.V. : Mitsubishi 55905 SAT/HDTV: RCA DTC-100 Surge Protector: Monster Power HTS-5000 This message has been edited by Kevin S on 04-21-2002 at 05:09 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m00n Posted April 21, 2002 Author Share Posted April 21, 2002 Hey thank guys. Your tips do help. Now, that I just got chewed on by the wife, I need to ask if there are tweeks you can make that keep the volume when watching TV/DVD what ever at more of a constant volume rather than low and all of a sudden some action seen happens and everything rattles in the house from the explosion or what ever. Can that even be done? Thanks all. ------------------ Internet Software Engineer: Will code for HT upgrades. the m00n system RF-3II Front floors RC-3II Center RS-3II Surrounds RSW-12 Subwoofer Harman Kardon AVR 520 Toshiba SD 3205 DVD Samsung 27" Flatscreen c> Microsoft XBOXc> f> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikekid Posted April 21, 2002 Share Posted April 21, 2002 mOOn, the SPL meter might fix that to some degree. Go get one..your allready gettin' chewed out anyway. Might as well spend more money!!! Later Mike This message has been edited by Mikekid on 04-21-2002 at 07:57 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boa12 Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 if you can try to balance so the sub & lfe level don't go below 0db setting on the processor (receiver). i leave that at 0db & use the sub's output control instead so that it doesn't have any problems waking up from auto/standby, especially at lower overall volume. ------------------ My Home Systems Page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeCool Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 mOOn, Until you get that spl meter, try this: 1) Check the sensitivity of each speaker (the center and/or rear will likely be slightly different from the fronts) and adjust the sound level to account for that difference. 2) Next, use the diagram attached (I downloaded this from the Dolby site) and after measuring exact distances between speakers, adjust the levels according to the grid. This should give a reasonable adjustment. However, you will certainly need the spl meter to get it perfectly right, because that will work on the basis of sound emanating from the speakers, i.e. will take everything (cable length, quality, room accoustics etc.) into account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seb Posted April 22, 2002 Share Posted April 22, 2002 as for your last inquiry, there should be a "compression" or "dynamic range" setting on your receiver, which will do exactly what you want. it should be adjustable, set it at the highest level for the most noticeable effect. even then though, I don't know whether it'll be enough for your wife! ------------------ http://members.fortunecity.com/sebdavid - go laugh at my crappy website/equipment http://www.dvdprofiler.com/mc.asp?alias=Sebdavid - go laugh at my puny little DVD collection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m00n Posted April 22, 2002 Author Share Posted April 22, 2002 Hey again, that guys! I really appreciate it. ------------------ Internet Software Engineer: Will code for HT upgrades. the m00n system RF-3II Front floors RC-3II Center RS-3II Surrounds RSW-12 Subwoofer Harman Kardon AVR 520 Toshiba SD 3205 DVD Samsung 27" Flatscreen c> Microsoft XBOXc> f> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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