damonrpayne Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 I'm relatively new to this, and picked up the analog Radio Shack SPL meter (part # 33-2050) last night as suggested by the manual for my SVS. I had previously sighted everything in with a laser pointer (this one: http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/5a47/) but something didn't sound quite right. Upon inspection my center channel was coming up 4 decibels short of the fronts and my left surround was measuring 3 decibels higher than my right surround. I can only assume I need a bigger center channel and less-funky room accousics. Anyway it sounds very, very different now. SPL meters are not just for people with $30,000 worth of gear: go buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin_tx_16 Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 So you got the analog version. The digital looks nice just because it will give you the min/max/average... is it worth the extra money or is the analog really better overall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avman Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 after balancing speaker level for 9yrs. by ear, i thought i had it down, but a spl meter does help, even if you are not a newbie. justin, i think the consensus is that the analog meter is quicker to respond and overall gives a better idea of the spl as the sound changes. avman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonrpayne Posted July 22, 2003 Author Share Posted July 22, 2003 Honestly I've heard many people say they prefer the analog, though for what reason I couldn't say. The SVS manual called for the analog so thats what I got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickB Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 An SPL meter is a must have for home theater. Every time I get any new equipment or if I move a speaker even an inch or two out comes the SPL meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonrpayne Posted July 22, 2003 Author Share Posted July 22, 2003 And they are for _everyone_ I'm actually going over to a friend's house to calibrate his HTIB with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurs Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 Could someone give a dummy (me) step by step on what I should do with it once I have one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonrpayne Posted July 22, 2003 Author Share Posted July 22, 2003 There are probably great how-tos out there, but I will write up a basic run down and post it on my site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonrpayne Posted July 22, 2003 Author Share Posted July 22, 2003 Here you go arthus, as promised: http://www.damononline.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=8&page=1 Comments welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bchild311 Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 Damon, A very nice URL and instructional page on SPL reading. I've never attempted anything like this and it was easy to understand and worthwhile. I'm wondering how much an analog reader will run me? What can I expect to pay at my local Radio Shack? Again cool post ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 $35. Maybe still on sale for $25... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurs Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 Thanks damon - easy to use and understand. I'm doing it this week. thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancestorm Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Do you think it would be a good purchase considering the receiver I have done this for you automatically? It has a microphone on the top of the main remote to set up the speaks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin_tx_16 Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Never hurts to double check! Your receiver could just barely be off and fixing that might make a world of difference. Or, if they are both reading the same thing, your receiver is just grand Picking mine up today, analog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Also, will the receiver only do it if the receiver is the source for the test tones? IOW, will it do it if you run the test tones from your DVD player, like with an Avia calibration disk? IMO, I'd rather calibrate with tones from the DVD player, since that is the real source for the audio, not the receiver, and I have noticed a difference between calibrating to my receiver's test tones and the test disk. DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonrpayne Posted July 23, 2003 Author Share Posted July 23, 2003 Good point on using the DVD test tones, you are getting more of an end-to-end test then. As far as the microphone on the remote, mine does that and I've seen several others and I don't think its likely to be as accurate as an SPL meter. Looking at my remote, it looks like the feature was added as an afterthought. Also, be sure the feature you are talking about balances output levels, I think mine only calculates delays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtDark Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 My HK has the EZ-Set feature too. I used it before I got my SPL meter a while back. Before I bought my receiver I read a review of it in Sound & Vision, and they said that the EZ-Set microphone feature set the levels very very close to what they got using a tripod mounted SPL rig. So I'm guessing it's pretty darn good...I use my SPL meter for a lot more than just setting levels though, so I say buy one anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickB Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 If your like me and want to run your sub 2 or 3 db hotter than your speakers, a calibration disc like Avia and a SPL meter are the way to go. Quick and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hz536n Posted July 24, 2003 Share Posted July 24, 2003 Local RS temporarily out of the analog model. On (national) sale for $24.99 until 7/31/2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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