Calibrating HT speakers

[FP]

Hello,

I recently purchased some av123 x-series speakers (4x x-ls 1x x-cs) and love them. I have paired them with an Onkyo 705 receiver and am just getting around to fully calibrating them along with my HSU sub.

I am a bit confused as to exactly how I am supposed to do this. I have watched the AVIA and DVE discs but still have a couple of questions. I will be doing the calibration with an SPL meter (I would prefer not to use the Audessy EQ calibration tool, want to learn the basics)

1. My receiver says that its test tones are output "at the standard level for THX which is 0dB." I assume this means that 0dB on the receiver == 85dB (THX standard). During calibration should I set my receiver to 0dB and simply calibrate each speaker to 85dB using the individual speaker adjustments?

2. 85dB white noise is loud. So loud that I am afraid of hurting my x-series speakers during calibration. My receiver is rated at 100W/channel and my listening distance is ~12'. Any chance I would hurt the speakers during calibration?

3. Using the AVIA audio calibration tools seems to be about 10dB louder than the built-in receiver white noise generator. That is, when I calibrate to a reference level of 85dB using AVIA and then check the receivers white noise levels they are about 75dB. Is this normal?

4. Finally, do most people calibrate to 85dB or 75dB or does it matter? Ideally I would like to say that 0dB on my receiver is == standard THX reference level. Is going with 75dB instead just a matter of preference?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: binister
Hello,

I recently purchased some av123 x-series speakers (4x x-ls 1x x-cs) and love them. I have paired them with an Onkyo 705 receiver and am just getting around to fully calibrating them along with my HSU sub.

I am a bit confused as to exactly how I am supposed to do this. I have watched the AVIA and DVE discs but still have a couple of questions. I will be doing the calibration with an SPL meter (I would prefer not to use the Audessy EQ calibration tool, want to learn the basics)

1. My receiver says that its test tones are output "at the standard level for THX which is 0dB." I assume this means that 0dB on the receiver == 85dB (THX standard). During calibration should I set my receiver to 0dB and simply calibrate each speaker to 85dB using the individual speaker adjustments?

2. 85dB white noise is loud. So loud that I am afraid of hurting my x-series speakers during calibration. My receiver is rated at 100W/channel and my listening distance is ~12'. Any chance I would hurt the speakers during calibration?

3. Using the AVIA audio calibration tools seems to be about 10dB louder than the built-in receiver white noise generator. That is, when I calibrate to a reference level of 85dB using AVIA and then check the receivers white noise levels they are about 75dB. Is this normal?

4. Finally, do most people calibrate to 85dB or 75dB or does it matter? Ideally I would like to say that 0dB on my receiver is == standard THX reference level. Is going with 75dB instead just a matter of preference?

1. Set your receiver to any level you want. I would recommend a level that is easy to remember such as -5dB or -20dB even. From there calibrate the speakers to read 75dB or 85 dB depending on your source recording.

2. You aren't going to hurt your speakers, especially if you have the crossover settings in place. However, as I mentioned before, you don't have to calibrate at those volumes.

3. Yes that's how it should be.

4. It only matters if you want to make sure you are listening to movies at reference level. Considering most people don't(and rightfully so) then there is no reason you have to pick 75dB or 85dB. The most important thing is to get all speakers equal in volume during these tests. Whatever volume that may be, as long as they are equal, you're good.

 

[Muadib]

I understand that you want to learn the basics, but you should run Audyssey when you are done. I blown away by the improvement it made after running it.

 

[JSt0rm]

you should run pink noise at -20dbu and use a spl meter and bring the volume up to 85dbu and mark that point. Or if you have trims on your amp then you should adjust those until you hit the 85dbu mark@-20dbu. Thats for film. for music -14dbu pink noise to 85dbu but with the way music is pounded into limiters these days i would just adjust for film at leave it at that.