Video Asylum

Posted by bstan (A) on January 28, 2002 at 11:10:40

In Reply to: Latest Update... posted by Estes on January 28, 2002 at 10:39:09:

Just thought I'd ask, since I also own an SH500 processor hooked up to a 2-channel stereo preamp.

What process did you use to calibrate the speakers? Did you use the RadioShack SPL meter to calibrate speaker output levels? Did you adjust the speaker delay settings on the SH500 before calibrating these levels?

Method for obtaining best DD/DTS sound from this procesor:

1) Set Volume on SH500 to the "0" position on the SH500 display, i.e. hit the remote's "+" volume all the way up.

2) Use your stereo preamps volume control to adjust the main speaker's output level from an "HT calibration DVD" like Video Essentials or AVIA till it register's 75dB on the SPL meter at your listening position. Easiest way to measure is to put the SPL meter on a camera tripod in your listening seat (with the meter pointing forward and with a 45 degree upward slope).

3) Adjust speaker delay (for center and surround speakers that are closer than equadistant). For the SH500 use 1 foot closer = 1ms of delay.

4) Follow the calibration DVD's speaker adjustments around the room for each speaker using the SH500 remote's button for center, surround left, and surround right to adjust these speakers to a 75dB SPL reading.

When everything is calibrated this way, I can typically listen to most movies at 0dB, -3dB or at most -6dB on the SH500 master volume control and get very good DD/DTS sound reproduction. I use Dynaudio Contour speakers all around (see my equipment list below).

bstan

• My Equipment List