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In Reply to: the Analog meter posted by Joe Murphy Jr on January 05, 2002 at 22:35:29:
You guys are too much. Instead of answering this person's question, you criticize my method. Did either of you give a description of a method for setting up the speakers in a home theater? By the way, everyone has a different way of setting up a system. Even the "experts" disagree on what's the proper way on one topic or another. What I have described is what I believe to be the best method for this poster to use in setting up his system without going into the many technical details as to "why" something is or should be done a certain way. I believe I answered his question and I made myself available for further explanation/set-up procedures. Can either of you say this?[I also disagree on the method of setting up subwoofer level, since most method is to use pink noise to
match at 75 or 85dB. If the subs are not placed in the proper location, serious peaks and/or nulls would
occur, and if there are a couple of serious peaks w/o any significant nulls, the sub level would be set too
low, resulting in a uneven transition from the speaker to sub around the crossover freq. I personally
prefer to match the -3dB/-6dB level @ xo freq of the main/sub.][I recommend using the "C" scale, or you will never be able to calibrate your sub correctly in relation to
the rest of your speakers.]#1 Where did I describe how to set up the sub? Please read the second to last sentence in my original response. It's a crapshoot if you don't know the details of his system and his preferences.
[Typically the "A" scale is used to quantify the amount of "damaging to the ear" SPL levels in the
workplace or anywhere else for that matter. Because of this the scale is limited in frequency response
(no bass) to the range -> 500Hz to 10kHz.]#2 The A-Weighting area is where the ear is the most sensitive, therefore, this is the area that you want the most "equality" or "level-match" from speaker to speaker. This area is also where the most "directionality" of sound takes place and relates to the ears response to sound cues and how it perceives the environment.
[Why should it be aimed 45 degree (into the ceiling?) Wouldn't the off axis response cause the result to
be more inaccurate?]#3 I don't believe "45 degrees" is into the ceiling -- that would be 90 degrees. This number is based on 15+ years of personal experience and my own measurements and comparisons using different set-ups, information from several home theater publications and DVD set-up discs/guides. I have observed the results using 0 degrees, 45 degrees and direct line (varying degrees) to the speakers. In my opinion, the 45 degree angle mentioned in my response provides the better sounding home theater experience.
[The "C" scale, on the other hand, measures over a more musical range from 32Hz to 10kHz. Measuring
with the "C" range may also capture room mode peaks when using pure tones as the test signal source,
but this can be corrected by using "warble" tones such as those found on the "Stereophile test CD disk
2 & 3".]#4 Let's be realistic and put this in proper context. The question from the poster -- no disrespect intended -- was from someone that wants know how to use an SPL meter to set up his speakers. Do you really think he needs a lecture on these topics: warble tones, C-Weighting, room nodes and the Stereophile test discs? Do you really think he wants one? I believe the details that you are going into are more applicable to an Audiophile or Videophile "nerd" -- my hand is raised -- or a professional A/V installer. That being said, do you really think a $40 Radio Shack SPL meter is comparable to The Audio Toolbox at $1500?
[Also, I would assume that the meter would have to be aimed at the speaker that is producing the sound,
the 120+ deg off axis response for the ratshack mike would be terrible for the high freq portion of the pink
noise.]#5 No, I said straight forward at a 45 degree angle -- not aimed at the speaker -- and where do you get the 120 degrees off-axis from?
Follow Ups:
Agree with the 45 degree angle for RS meter.Disagree with "A" weighting because it does NOT correctly calibrate re-directed bass and LFE bass content from the DVD.
The SPL calibration measurement is designed to balance all speakers including the sub.
"A" weighting will mis-calibrate the sub.
bstan
[The SPL calibration measurement is designed to balance all speakers including the sub.
"A" weighting will mis-calibrate the sub.]Your info is correct. But, WHEN did I mention calibration of the sub? The fact is, I didn't -- WHY is that so hard to understand/see/read? My point is this: I deliberately left out calibration of a sub until I knew what speakers were in his system and what type they were (full-range, small or a combination). The sub "how to" chapter can only be explained after you know this information. To set up the sub, you MUST use C-Weighting (the A-Weighting's low end starts at about 500Hz -- not exactly sub territory).
Simply:My advice would be to have a new HT person use one method for balancing all speakers using the "C" weighting so he wouldn't be confused when he gets a sub and goes to calibrate that sub and can't understand why he can't get a reading with the "A" weighting.
bstan
Joe....to give you more details of the system. The room size is in a bedroom at 16 feet by 18 feet with 8 feet ceiling. Speakers are paradigm studio/60 and studio/cc center channel...thats all the speakers for now. I'm using Denon AVR 2802 receiver to power the speakers. When you said I need dvd for test tones...you mean something like Avia cause I hear people talking about it. By the way the speakers are 7 feet apart and 1 feet from the wall behind it. Hope this helps.Eric
#1 If you can, move the 60s out into the room a bit. If they really do go down to 30Hz, you're probably getting some room boom because of their proximity to the wall. You may not be able to do this, but if you can, the sound will be less boomy and smoother.#2 It seems that you are only using 3 speakers (L, R and C). Follow my original set-up "guide" to set up your speakers. I'd recommend setting the L and R speakers as LARGE and the C as SMALL (the CC only goes down to 70Hz). If you haven't done so already, set up the 2802 for no surrounds and no sub. This should direct the sub information to the L and R speakers. Depending on your taste in bass and the speakers' (60s) ability to handle any LFE effects, you may not want to do this. Most AV receivers will direct LFE information automatically to the L and R speakers, while some will just delete the LFE information (it doesn't show up at any of your speakers). I don't know what the 2802 does in this case. If you're not sure, there's always the manual...
#3 There are several DVDs and at least one CD for cycling through pink noise and tones for speaker calibration. On DVD: Video Essentials, Avia and Allsop (this one has DTS and DD movie trailers to play after you calibrate), to name a few. On CD: Technics DTS Surround Set-Up disc.
#4 If you really want to get into Home Theater, I'd advise you to get surround speakers and a sub (or two!). Well, actually, your room may not be all that complimentary for a sub. As for me, a dedicated sub adds impact, dynamics and "physical" emotion that even full-range speakers can't truly realize. I'm sure you realize that your 2802 decodes the current best surround format available -- DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete. Even if you only use the 2802 to decode digital 5.1 sound, these extra speakers will make movie presentaion in your room so much more emersive. And isn't that what Home Theater is about?
#5 The best learning tool is information (ideally, correct information) and one of the best teaching tools is WidescreenReview magazine. Check it out at the 'stand or get a subscription. There are others, but WSR is about 60/40 for video/sound content and they touch on all aspects of Home Theater (technology, acoustics, speakers, HDTV, DVD, movie reviews AND "how to set up a Home Theater"). Hope this helps.
Where can I buy Avia, VE, etc? Media play or places that sell cds have Avia, etc too? By the way about the LFE on Denon AVR 2802 receiver you asked about...for the LFE (subwoofer mode) I can select either "LFE" or "LFE+MAIN". It'll be a while before I get rears but I'll get sub when I get chance.
My dvd player hasn't came yet...can I still calibrate speakers using my cd player for music? If so how do I do that and what disk or cd should I get till my dvd player comes?
The only CD set-up disc that I can think of with surround pink noise is a Technics disc. It's called "DTS Technology Music Demonstration and Set-Up Disc" and the product number is Technics # RFR0005. The disc was made in 1996. If you contact Technics via Panasonic at panasonic.com, they may be able to get you one. There are some other CDs, but I can't think of their specific names right now.
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