Home Theater Levels???

[CruiseControl]

I was just wondering if someone could recommend me what the best settings would be for speaker levels. I know it is all based on personal preference, but I was just wondering if anyone could recommend the most suitable settings. Thanks!

[chipmac]

The smart ass answer is that the speaker levels should all be equal and that is accomplished using a calibration tone and an SPL meter.

Now what I think you're trying to ask is how loud the speakers should be played and you're right in that this is personal decision that only you can decide on. Also given that every receiver or amp will be different in terms of the decibel output in relation to the value of the volume knob and anything we say would be meaningless. For example my receiver is calibrated to 80 decibels when I turn it up to -27. Somebody with the same receiver in a different room with different speakers will need the volume setting at a different level to achieve the same results. Then you have the preference of how loud you're comfortable listening at. Some love it at reference level and others feel it's too loud.

[Iguana Man]

Chipmac nailed it, so I'll add this;

Get a Radio Shack sound level meter.

and....

Video Essentials DVD (pick the one most suited for your display).

or

AVIA

to get the levels you prefer.

[CruiseControl]

Yeah...no radio shack i've been to has an spl meter and the people working there don't even know what it is, which is not surprising. I need to find somewhere else that may have them, but thanks for the help.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by CruiseControl

Yeah...no radio shack i've been to has an spl meter and the people working there don't even know what it is, which is not surprising. I need to find somewhere else that may have them, but thanks for the help.

You do realize you can purchase a SPL Meter from Radio Shack using the link Iggy posted above, right?

Peace...

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

You do realize you can purchase a SPL Meter from Radio Shack using the link Iggy posted above, right?

Peace...

I'd like to add that if he does order it, make sure it's the Analog one linked. The Digital one is harder to use and (I think) less accurate.

[BoSoxMole]

I really just want to get my HD set to look good. Which one should I get?

Thanks.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by BoSoxMole

I really just want to get my HD set to look good. Which one should I get?

Thanks.

Will you be calibrating for SD-DVD or HD?

I like DVE for SD-DVD, but there's nothing out there like DVE or Avia right now for HD-DVD or Blu-Ray.

If you want a quick calibration, the THX Optimizer isn't bad.

[Titleist]

Isn't the default reference level according to dolby 105dBs? So on your SPL the reference test tones SHOULD be at 105.

I.e so if you're at -25 on your receiver it's actually 80dB.

Correct me if I'm wrong, by the way I have not posted in this part of the forum for a LONG time. mmm...gear addiction.

[chlngr1970]

I dunno about Dolby ( to lazy to look But THX Reference level is 75db White noise all channels.

j