That was a nice refresher. I last did this in 2014-15. Upgrading my projector to 4K Laser forced replacing my perfectly good Marantz AV7002 to the AV7706 and my Oppo BDP103D to a Sony 4K bluray player and adding a 4K streaming source. Watching this will make this process much easier. Thanks
Fun fact, when you run the test tones from the receiver's Speaker menu the Audyssey calibration is temporarily disabled. Therefore, if you really want to check SPL with Audyssey on, you need to use a calibration disk such as Spears & Munsil, AVIA, or REW and play the test tones from there. The only time this is valid is if you are using a receiver without Audyssey, otherwise the SPL baseline could be 2-3dB off.
Indeed... My question is how do I change levels if I use the disk tones?! When do I go to change levels of each speakers if I can't use manual option?!!!!!!!!
@@karimgeniokarim-genio5086 I have asked the same question. I don’t understand it either. People make those comments but can’t say how you then do individual speakers from external tones when it plays the tones in all speakers.
Great video,this really help me dial in my system.Hope you can help me out?I'm getting a umik1 and mini dsp 2x4hd.For wires what would I need?Two usb cables and 1 cable that goes to the receiver?Any help I would really appreciate it
the Umik 1 we’ll come with the cables you need just plug it into your PC or Mac with the USB cable and then you’ll plug an HDMI cable from your laptop into your receiver. I have a video on my channel that runs through the set up process. I’m guessing you’re going to be using REW?
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer Thank you for the reply.I didn't see that video.I will look for it.If you can,what cables and how do I set-up the mini dsp 2x4.I'm pretty new to all of this and really appreciate your help.I will be getting someone to do all of this as it's over my head.I just want to get everything so I will be ready.
I’ve seen a lot of videos showing when you get to + numbers on the levels that it can DAMAGE the speakers. 3 years later are you still good with these settings?
it really depends on your speaker and it’s impedance and the build quality. I’ve been running KEF speakers for more than 15 years and I’ve had no issues
wow. I did the complete opposite and I read it somewhere to set the volume first. LOL. I ran 2 presets. 1st one at 75 volume and 2nd and 85. They both sound great! hopefully I don't blow my speakers this way. LOL. I'm going to try turning the knob to 0 and see how that sounds.
@@FMD023 there are two modes of showing the volume on Denon and Msrantz, one is 1-99 and another one is -80 to +15 decibels where 0 means reference (80db). So set you AVR in decibels, a volume of 75-85 wont give an ideea about the reference level if that makes sense
I am using the same meter as yours. Using the same settings (C rating, Slw response time and level between 60-90DdB). Even with the gains/trim turned all the way up, the meter doesn't budge. Just says "Lo". If I set the lever for 40-70dB I do see the values changing. I've also set the volume knob to Zero on the receiver. What do I need to change?
Great video! I calibrated my new Denon AVR-4700H using the Audyssey iOS app. Then I followed your directions and used the AVR's test signal and a sound meter to set all my speakers to 75db at the primary listening position. That made a big improvement. Should I now edit the speaker levels on the Audyssey app since they do not match the sound meter values I set? Some are quite a bit different.
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer I think he's asking about going back into the app after leveling on the AVR, to match the speaker levels, so he doesn't have to relevel every time he changes a profile. Apparently, though, using the manual set-up menu to level your speakers disables all of the corrections that Audyssey makes. It has something to do with the type of pink noise generated buy the AVR. I guess you're supposed to use an external noise file. I don't fully understand. Just trying to figure out what is the right way. Can you speak to this at all?
Thank you very much for this great tutorial. I gonna redo my calibration. What sound level do you recommend to set on subwoofer itself 30%, 50% 70% Thank in advance for your help and advices 😃
Very informative. I had no idea what I was really doing with how to set my levels or anything but I think this has given me a good starting point. I don't have a proper spl meter I was just using one on my phone earlier while watching a movie and was averaging around 70db with peaks of 90.4 with my volume at around 40% I'm scared to go above 40. and I still have to add my sub and overhead speakers
I'm just a newbie at home theater basics so please point me out if I am wrong. I read somewhere that one should not have the speaker test tone reference levels in the plus or positive level because of speaker clipping. Which could cause damage or harm to your speakers over time. Is this true? Thanks for any info and great vlog!
No its generally not true, in fact some AVR manufactures actually record there test tones at -10 dB from 75dB so it really depends on your avr and if you dont have your master volume up past 0 then you shouldnt have to worry about it during calibration for test tones/channel levels.
technically it should not matter because the AVR is playing back Pink Noise stored inside the AVR so it should not even be in play while adjusting speaker trim levels
Hi, have just calibrated my speakers using your advice, however I have a problem with my sub. All the other speakers were easy to calibrate to about 75db, but the sub, which I think is overly boomy anyway, didn't get about about 54 db on max setting. Thoughts?
you will need to set it to O to do the calibration but You need to go into your menu and change the read out to display volume in Relative mode then it will read out from -80 to +18 so when you set your volume to 0 that is going to be reference level once you set channel trim levels
Could you tell how to do this on a soundbar.. I have Sony Z9F 3.1ch. Can i do this like this on Soundbar aswell? What levels i should put on my soundbar...i have also rear wireless speakers. i have middle size room
Reference level is 75dB with a -30dbfs it’s not 80. There is no “preference” to reference, that’s why it’s a reference! It’s a specifically defined standard. Full scale is 105 and 105 minus 30 is 75. If you calibrate to 80 then you’ve effectively made reference level -5 on the volume knob, not 0. Notice that you had to bump all your speakers about 5dB on the trims? That’s because Audyssey calibrated them to ~75dB. There’s no good reason to bump all the trims to get to 80dB, the only difference is your volume will be 5dB lower for the same content and it will screw up Dynamic EQ (if you use it).
Reference level for all channels except low frequency effects is calibrated by adjusting the audio chain such that a pink noise signal recorded at -20dB relative to full scale (0dB) creates 85dB sound pressure level as measured with a C weighted SPL meter at the seating locations. Volume levels are adjusted for each channel individually until they read 85dB. The master volume control setting associated with this playback level is then set to a nominal 0dB, or reference level. The history behind this is that sound engineers and producers generally work so that the average recording level for dialog in movie soundtrack is -20dB. This allows for 20dB of dynamic range in the soundtrack. The low frequency effects channel is calibrated higher, so that a -20dB signal reaches 95dBC at the seating locations. I think THX levels are higher.
Isn't 0dB on a Denon avr the same as 80 in the numeric scale? My Denon x1700h has two volume scales: from 0 to 98 "numeric" scale, and from -79,5dB to +18dB. My receiver is already calibrated using audyssey. If I set "numeric" volume to let's say 50, and then I go to setup and switch to dB scale, the volume level of the playing source doesn't change, and when I check scale now it reads - 30dB, which correlates with 50 numeric value being 30dB below 80 numeric value, which I think equals 0dB reference level. If I set numeric volume to 60 and then switch scales, it reads - 20dB (60= 20 below 80),etc.
honestly Its hard to say with out knowing exactly how the engineers set that AVR my guess is that AVR does have the ability to switch between absolute volume and relative volume. So I would go switch it and the reset channel trims to 75db with C weighting with volume know set to 0 on relative volume. You WONT have to re-run audyssey
My Home Theater store said put the Left speaker level to 0 db and raise the main volume up till you get to 80 db and then you know at what main volume will get you to 80 db for the rest of speakers...and i said thats not how the video i saw its being done...
I have have also a onkyo.. but that reference things dont make sense to me at all.. I am calibrating as follow: set 0db on my front left speaker first, then turning up the volume until i get 75DB.. then u have the proper volume for the next speakers.. His way of calibration is not good, because he is underpoweing the external subs with - 8db.. the signal is much weaker.
Hello ! What did you have the Subs GAIN set to on each sub? before you started the test Tone? I have 2 subs, one in the front left corner and one in the opposite side in the back . i dont have the same Audyssey program as you , its just the basic and not X32 i think you said, and it will only register 1 sub ' I was told to set my AVR Master Vol to 0.0 and then go into the AVR Manual test tone and set the Sub Level to 0.0 and then run the SPL for the front Sub while the back one was powered OFF and get the pink noise to read out at 70db not 75db for Subs and then on the back of the Sub make the adjustment using the Gain dial until it read 70db on the SPL and then turn off the front Sub and turn on the back Sub and do the same thing , adjust the gain until it reads out 70db . I am now suppose to have level matched Subs but I feel like its not completed because what am I suppose to put the AVR level trim to now, do I leave it at 00 ? its like I didn't finish the correction to get the Distance of the Subs so it could give me a read out of what the volume of he trim level should be for the SUBs Any Idea Thank you Sorry its so long to read
Hey man. Question about this tuning. Assuming this all speakers playing at 75 db of pink noise. What if during my calibration, I am applying a harman curve, which adds about 6db to the bass region in the 20 to 20khz range. So, do I still turn the sub up until I measure 75 with the sound meter? Or do I turn up till I measure 69 db (6 db lower because of that harman curve)?
I m using Yamaha HTR 3072 AVR. With all Yamaha Bookshelf speakers and SubWoofers 5.1. My flat area is 130 sq feet. If I set MV 0 on AVR than no effect on SPL meter. If I set it to 60-65 than only effect giving on SPL. On my AVR MV is 0 to 100 or if I convert in to DB than it is 0 to -16. I m not happy with YAPO. Only distance result is ok. So pl suggest what MV set in case of MV 1 to 100 or 0 to -16 DB what MV to set. Pl reply and guide me. Waiting for reply. In case of 0 to -16 DB MV than I have to set DB level more than -10. There is max value is -10 on AVR. So I m confused pl guide me.
0-16 for the volume display , Check out my latest video for answers to your problem it will tell you why you’re not getting audio when your volume is set to zero
You could I’m not exactly sure how accurate they are compared to the real thing some are better than others. Also if you can’t choose the response time and whether it’s A or C weighted then it’s pointless. I say get the real thing they’re not that expensive
Too bad you didin't show that spl meter when you were matching the levels. I'm just wondering how can you get 80dB from your subs when the level is about -7 in your amp?? When i do Audyssey calibration, it always turns the subs down to -12dB..and when i do level matching, i need to crank them up to +10-12dB to get even near the same as all the other speakers (75-80dB)
Hold on... How am I supposed to do this test with the receiver volume turned all the way down? Also, how do you guys crank up the volume all the way up to -10 or 0.00? I have never had to turn my receiver anything louder than -30, at this level its way too loud LOL :'D and you guys are watching movies at 0.00!?
Interesting. I stick with the 75dB rating, running my center a bit hot just because. My subs have to be set to 75dB otherwise they'll bring the house down (6 15s and 3 18s). I rarely get too much above -20dB in my AVR and even then, it's shaking things off of the walls and vibrating the fixtures two floors up! It's wild! I really like your theater, super clean, I bet that sounds phenomenal! Subscribed, for sure!
hey thanks! yea I still have some small touches to finish it all. both my 12"s are only at half gain on the back of the sub amp. Ill upgrade to 15" or 18"s when I buy my first house.
@Nat N You make a lot of assumptions, Nat. I am using REW and a MiniDSP. Are you okay, man? Usually people ask before just making assumptions about someone's setup.
@Nat N Ahhh I see, you have egocentric issues. I see! I've never once said anything imposing or threatening yet you're being very confrontational. You're probably younger, so that's understandable. I've posted my most recent REW graphs on The Budget Audiophile's facebook page. If you're not a member of Home Theater for Everyone on there, you should check that group out as well. Lots of great guys in there. Sign up, post your setup, get some praise.
Hello, your video is one of the best with ref to Calibration. I followed your steps,, but when I make my Marantz Av8802A processor master volume to 0 level, my SPL meter doesn't pick up any pink sound, I also don't hear even when I change the level all the way up to +12 db, can you please assist.
your AVR is displaying volume at Absolute which means it goes from 0-100. You need to go into your menu and change the read out to display volume in Relative mode then it will read out from -80 to +18 so when you set your volume to 0 on this mode you will definitively here it
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer Thanks very much for your reply, greatly appreciate it. I did try that, and I did hear sound now, but the problem I noticed is the front and center towers, even with the lowest level, I couldn't bring the SPL to 75, lowest I can get is 80s where as the other speakers I am able to set it 75. any advise? appreciate your response
Please tell me how you got 2ch playback on your avr I can not for the life of me figure out how to do it for 2 ch stereo. I have a marantz sr6013 . Thank you ...
Should be in the audio format area, on the remote, App or receiver itself. Sound format button. Or hit the music button and that should default to 2 channel playback
Yep. Onkyo receiver here too. There’s no way to change it show db levels but I heard to do this calibration setup, the volume level needs to be set to 80. Seems very high, is this correct?
@@M-G-n-T Can't help you much with this. My Onkyo is long gone in favor of a Marantz which offers reference scale volume. But, I had another Onkyo once that did offer reference scale. I believe that on the regular scale it would display "THX Reference" when you hit 80 on the scale. It does seem loud, but it doesn't mean you need to watch all your movies at reference. I calibrated my Marantz to reference, but I almost never watch a movie at reference level. Usually about -5db - -10db.
I have set all my speakers at 75db but I didn't put amplifier at reference level do I need to change my levels or not ? I have subscribed to your video clips a while ago . Cheers
You do not, they just won't be as loud (reference level) but they will all be playing at the the same volume which the point of setting the level. If you find they're not loud enough then you can redo it with the master volume at 0db
Until i get 75db can i increase the db levels? Iam asking for this because some guys telling we can increase or decrease +/- 3db, so thats why iam asking
can you clarify your question? im not sure what your asking usually +/- 3 dB refers to how a speakers frequency response is measured and plotted to a graph
@@wcat787CmR your avr's volume read out is probably set to ABSOLUTE it needs to be set to Relative. The scale comes from mathematical terms representing a Relative volume scale. A newly installed receiver un-calibrated will have a volume range of -80.5 dB to +18 dB. -80.5 dB is almost a full mute, where +18 dB is the maximum possible volume output. Once your system is calibrated, 0 dB should provide you with full output from the amplifiers, meaning all other levels are relative to the loudest
Very informative and helpful. At around 3:18 of the video you said "in this case you want to set everything to small." Could you elaborate on that a bit more? Are you saying I should disregard or override the automatic speaker calibration and manually set all the speakers to small before setting the reference level? Then I assume you set them back to their correct values?
Audyssey is infamous for setting the speakers type and crossover incorrectly. The only time you want to set your speakers to large is if you dont have a subwoofer and run your speakers full range. SMALL is an absolute must for a home theater. Also you should start with a crossover of 80hz and go from there. Audyssey will often set it as 40hz or 60hz if you have a speaker that can play low. Surrounds, etc it will often set correctly in terms of crossover.
prob have found the answer by now. as i understand it, if you have large woofers in the speaker dedicated large then you should be ok as it can handle low frequency but if not, you are sending low signals to a speaker not designed for it probably clipping. check your speakers frequency response to see how low it goes. for most cases people get powered subs to handle all low freq. it both protects other speakers that cannot play low frequency and adds power to mids highs as the sub has its own power supply and the reciever no longer has to amp them. so its beneficial to set everything to highs for 2 reasons. hope that helps
Interesting. When I did my SPL meter tests I had my master volume at -20dB to calibrate everything. Guess I’ll have to play with my system again and Calibrate it with a master volume of 0.0dB Damn, poor me having to play around with my HT hahahaha Nice little tip there on the master volume setting though. Curious what my HT will sound like now 🤗
I get all this and i perfectly understand. What i dont know if the setting under the Option button named Channel Level, you bump up the decibels there too so i dont understand why we have two options for the levels. Lets say under Setup/Speakers/Audyssey/Manual Setup/Levels i set everything to right to reference and then if you mess with channel level probably you screw up that reference setting. I have set all the channel levels to +12db and tomorrow ill set the speaker levels each to reference, it will be that ok? Or should i let the options under channel levels at 0db? I know my AVR pretty well but i never knew why i have two options where i can set levels.
Most people don’t listen at reference level but you should still calibrate to it. Calibrating so 0 on the volume display equals 75DB of pink noise Will ensure that you hear everything even all the sounds in the lower register. Doesn’t mean you have to listen to it at 0
Your proj screen seems like a 2.39:1. Can u make a video on shifting from 16:9 to a 2.39:1 image using projector functions ( if ur project only supports 16:9)
You can do the same thing without the app. The technology wasn't out back then. I have one receiver that can use the app and one that can't but achieve the same results at both.
@@Analyzer52 there is no way for us without the Audyssey App to modify EQ results. Adjusting distances or volume levels can drastically change the balance of the system. We can see the EQ results on screen, but can’t change it.
@@TheDabbinDave You can change distances and levels on the reciever. You are correct You can't set a house curve. They didn't have this technology when the older receivers were made. However if you really want more options to check and make adjustment REW and a Mic would allow you to do it without having to upgrade.
@@Analyzer52 REW is only really useful when it comes to adjust a sub. Even then, it is limited to phase 0 or 180. Unless you have a sub that has a phase dial. Or better yet, an SVS sub that utilizes PEQ in their app. REW is useless when it comes to room correction that doesn’t allow end user tinkering. If I’m wrong, PLEASE tell me how before I invest $75-$150 for a mic that will rarely get used. Keep in mind, I run Audyssey probably 10 times a year, when something sounds odd just a bit. I don’t see how I can possibly make adjustments with REW for my 11 speakers with my AVR. I have only seen REW being used for sub adjustments.
@@TheDabbinDaveI don't know why anyone would run Audyssey 11 times a year. You should only need to run it if something in your setup changes. Your just going to drive yourself crazy with that. REW is for more than just subs. You can take measures to see how your speakers are reacting to your room to help properly set your crossovers instead of just setting it to 80hz. Yes you will be limited to not being able to do somethings without the app but if the app is important to you why not upgrade?
Too much speaker for what ???..need open theater or do home theater system?.. hahahaha we listening surround sound come live when listen no vibration in head 😤
Reference level is 105db and 115db for the subs. That's a peak number accounting for 20db of head room. Thus average SPL of reference level should be 85db/95db. The pink noise comes out at -30db from peak, or -10db from the average so that's 75db. The subs come out at -40db (or -20) so both are calibrated to 75db using the AVR or processors pink noise.
That was a nice refresher. I last did this in 2014-15. Upgrading my projector to 4K Laser forced replacing my perfectly good Marantz AV7002 to the AV7706 and my Oppo BDP103D to a Sony 4K bluray player and adding a 4K streaming source. Watching this will make this process much easier. Thanks
Fun fact, when you run the test tones from the receiver's Speaker menu the Audyssey calibration is temporarily disabled. Therefore, if you really want to check SPL with Audyssey on, you need to use a calibration disk such as Spears & Munsil, AVIA, or REW and play the test tones from there. The only time this is valid is if you are using a receiver without Audyssey, otherwise the SPL baseline could be 2-3dB off.
This.
I never knew!!!...
Indeed... My question is how do I change levels if I use the disk tones?! When do I go to change levels of each speakers if I can't use manual option?!!!!!!!!
@@karimgeniokarim-genio5086 I have asked the same question. I don’t understand it either. People make those comments but can’t say how you then do individual speakers from external tones when it plays the tones in all speakers.
@Don Tronge you pause then go into levels and adjust then go back to source disc and measure. Rinse and repeat
Great video,this really help me dial in my system.Hope you can help me out?I'm getting a umik1 and mini dsp 2x4hd.For wires what would I need?Two usb cables and 1 cable that goes to the receiver?Any help I would really appreciate it
the Umik 1 we’ll come with the cables you need just plug it into your PC or Mac with the USB cable and then you’ll plug an HDMI cable from your laptop into your receiver.
I have a video on my channel that runs through the set up process. I’m guessing you’re going to be using REW?
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer Thank you for the reply.I didn't see that video.I will look for it.If you can,what cables and how do I set-up the mini dsp 2x4.I'm pretty new to all of this and really appreciate your help.I will be getting someone to do all of this as it's over my head.I just want to get everything so I will be ready.
I’ve seen a lot of videos showing when you get to + numbers on the levels that it can DAMAGE the speakers. 3 years later are you still good with these settings?
it really depends on your speaker and it’s impedance and the build quality.
I’ve been running KEF speakers for more than 15 years and I’ve had no issues
Great video. Thanks for the tip regarding the 0db level before stating the measures. That’s the information I was looking for :)
wow. I did the complete opposite and I read it somewhere to set the volume first. LOL. I ran 2 presets. 1st one at 75 volume and 2nd and 85. They both sound great! hopefully I don't blow my speakers this way. LOL. I'm going to try turning the knob to 0 and see how that sounds.
@@FMD023 there are two modes of showing the volume on Denon and Msrantz, one is 1-99 and another one is -80 to +15 decibels where 0 means reference (80db). So set you AVR in decibels, a volume of 75-85 wont give an ideea about the reference level if that makes sense
I am using the same meter as yours. Using the same settings (C rating, Slw response time and level between 60-90DdB). Even with the gains/trim turned all the way up, the meter doesn't budge. Just says "Lo". If I set the lever for 40-70dB I do see the values changing. I've also set the volume knob to Zero on the receiver. What do I need to change?
Great video! I calibrated my new Denon AVR-4700H using the Audyssey iOS app. Then I followed your directions and used the AVR's test signal and a sound meter to set all my speakers to 75db at the primary listening position. That made a big improvement. Should I now edit the speaker levels on the Audyssey app since they do not match the sound meter values I set? Some are quite a bit different.
No after you calibrate you adjust all speakers to 75dB of pink noise in the AVR.
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer I think he's asking about going back into the app after leveling on the AVR, to match the speaker levels, so he doesn't have to relevel every time he changes a profile. Apparently, though, using the manual set-up menu to level your speakers disables all of the corrections that Audyssey makes. It has something to do with the type of pink noise generated buy the AVR. I guess you're supposed to use an external noise file. I don't fully understand. Just trying to figure out what is the right way. Can you speak to this at all?
Thank you very much for this great tutorial. I gonna redo my calibration.
What sound level do you recommend to set on subwoofer itself 30%, 50% 70%
Thank in advance for your help and advices 😃
Typically I start my subwoofer at %50 and then run calibration from there
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer Thank you very much 😀 , I will follow your advice 👍
Very informative. I had no idea what I was really doing with how to set my levels or anything but I think this has given me a good starting point. I don't have a proper spl meter I was just using one on my phone earlier while watching a movie and was averaging around 70db with peaks of 90.4 with my volume at around 40% I'm scared to go above 40. and I still have to add my sub and overhead speakers
I'm just a newbie at home theater basics so please point me out if I am wrong. I read somewhere that one should not have the speaker test tone reference levels in the plus or positive level because of speaker clipping. Which could cause damage or harm to your speakers over time. Is this true? Thanks for any info and great vlog!
No its generally not true, in fact some AVR manufactures actually record there test tones at -10 dB from 75dB so it really depends on your avr and if you dont have your master volume up past 0 then you shouldnt have to worry about it during calibration for test tones/channel levels.
Nice work. Would have been nice to see the meter in one or w shots during the testing phase
Ill have to remember that for next time if I do a revisit video, Thanks for watching!
Do I have to turn off Dynamic EQ while taking the measurements?
technically it should not matter because the AVR is playing back Pink Noise stored inside the AVR so it should not even be in play while adjusting speaker trim levels
Hi, have just calibrated my speakers using your advice, however I have a problem with my sub. All the other speakers were easy to calibrate to about 75db, but the sub, which I think is overly boomy anyway, didn't get about about 54 db on max setting. Thoughts?
You need to adjust the gain on your subwoofer
Bro pl suggest what volume level i should On AVR While using SPL METER. PL reply. Say 50 or 70 etc
you will need to set it to O to do the calibration but You need to go into your menu and change the read out to display volume in Relative mode then it will read out from -80 to +18 so when you set your volume to 0 that is going to be reference level once you set channel trim levels
I just learned something new
Could you tell how to do this on a soundbar.. I have Sony Z9F 3.1ch. Can i do this like this on Soundbar aswell? What levels i should put on my soundbar...i have also rear wireless speakers. i have middle size room
Not possible on sound bars.
Reference level is 75dB with a -30dbfs it’s not 80. There is no “preference” to reference, that’s why it’s a reference! It’s a specifically defined standard.
Full scale is 105 and 105 minus 30 is 75. If you calibrate to 80 then you’ve effectively made reference level -5 on the volume knob, not 0.
Notice that you had to bump all your speakers about 5dB on the trims? That’s because Audyssey calibrated them to ~75dB. There’s no good reason to bump all the trims to get to 80dB, the only difference is your volume will be 5dB lower for the same content and it will screw up Dynamic EQ (if you use it).
Reference level for all channels except low frequency effects is calibrated by adjusting the audio chain such that a pink noise signal recorded at -20dB relative to full scale (0dB) creates 85dB sound pressure level as measured with a C weighted SPL meter at the seating locations. Volume levels are adjusted for each channel individually until they read 85dB. The master volume control setting associated with this playback level is then set to a nominal 0dB, or reference level. The history behind this is that sound engineers and producers generally work so that the average recording level for dialog in movie soundtrack is -20dB. This allows for 20dB of dynamic range in the soundtrack. The low frequency effects channel is calibrated higher, so that a -20dB signal reaches 95dBC at the seating locations. I think THX levels are higher.
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer THX levels are the same as Dolby. IMAX levels are higher. They don't like to publish what those are.
Great video. Very helpful.
Isn't 0dB on a Denon avr the same as 80 in the numeric scale?
My Denon x1700h has two volume scales: from 0 to 98 "numeric" scale, and from -79,5dB to +18dB.
My receiver is already calibrated using audyssey.
If I set "numeric" volume to let's say 50, and then I go to setup and switch to dB scale, the volume level of the playing source doesn't change, and when I check scale now it reads - 30dB, which correlates with 50 numeric value being 30dB below 80 numeric value, which I think equals 0dB reference level.
If I set numeric volume to 60 and then switch scales, it reads - 20dB (60= 20 below 80),etc.
honestly Its hard to say with out knowing exactly how the engineers set that AVR
my guess is that AVR does have the ability to switch between absolute volume and relative volume. So I would go switch it and the reset channel trims to 75db with C weighting with volume know set to 0 on relative volume. You WONT have to re-run audyssey
Doing it this way and turning the knob all the way down i get NO pink noise...Denon 4500H
So this is an extremely common question I get it and I’m going to make a follow up video it should be posted in three days stay tuned for the answer
My Home Theater store said put the Left speaker level to 0 db and raise the main volume up till you get to 80 db and then you know at what main volume will get you to 80 db for the rest of speakers...and i said thats not how the video i saw its being done...
Great video can you please give me the link for ceiling speaker bracket .
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTKXTN5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 thanks for watching!
Any ⏰ on the video you said you were going to drop on this topic❓Thanks
Should be up this week ! :)
What if your subs are connected to the Low outputs of an electronic crossover ? How do you bring up the noise to measure them then ?
Your receiver should still be able to send pink noise through the crossover and into the sub
My Onkyo receiver is from 0 to 100 volume at what should I have it to make measurements ?
I have have also a onkyo.. but that reference things dont make sense to me at all.. I am calibrating as follow: set 0db on my front left speaker first, then turning up the volume until i get 75DB.. then u have the proper volume for the next speakers.. His way of calibration is not good, because he is underpoweing the external subs with - 8db.. the signal is much weaker.
Dude this was super helpful
Thanks
Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!
Hello ! What did you have the Subs GAIN set to on each sub? before you started the test Tone? I have 2 subs, one in the front left corner and one in the opposite side in the back . i dont have the same Audyssey program as you , its just the basic and not X32 i think you said, and it will only register 1 sub ' I was told to set my AVR Master Vol to 0.0 and then go into the AVR Manual test tone and set the Sub Level to 0.0 and then run the SPL for the front Sub while the back one was powered OFF and get the pink noise to read out at 70db not 75db for Subs and then on the back of the Sub make the adjustment using the Gain dial until it read 70db on the SPL and then turn off the front Sub and turn on the back Sub and do the same thing , adjust the gain until it reads out 70db . I am now suppose to have level matched Subs but I feel like its not completed because what am I suppose to put the AVR level trim to now, do I leave it at 00 ? its like I didn't finish the correction to get the Distance of the Subs so it could give me a read out of what the volume of he trim level should be for the SUBs Any Idea Thank you Sorry its so long to read
I usually start at half gain on the subs then adjust the trim with volume knob set to 0.
Nice video!
Also can I ask what Atmos speakers you are using?
I am looking for new surround/Atmos speakers and they look really nice.
they are the KEF ci 130er check out this video i made th-cam.com/video/yfqhRSmQraQ/w-d-xo.html
Hey man. Question about this tuning. Assuming this all speakers playing at 75 db of pink noise. What if during my calibration, I am applying a harman curve, which adds about 6db to the bass region in the 20 to 20khz range.
So, do I still turn the sub up until I measure 75 with the sound meter? Or do I turn up till I measure 69 db (6 db lower because of that harman curve)?
On my receiver -79 is lowest volume and -0 is max.I use about -23 to -20 to set levels.
Watch my video on absolute versus relative volume. There should be a way for you to change it in your receiver
I m using Yamaha HTR 3072 AVR. With all Yamaha Bookshelf speakers and SubWoofers 5.1. My flat area is 130 sq feet. If I set MV 0 on AVR than no effect on SPL meter. If I set it to 60-65 than only effect giving on SPL. On my AVR MV is 0 to 100 or if I convert in to DB than it is 0 to -16. I m not happy with YAPO. Only distance result is ok. So pl suggest what MV set in case of MV 1 to 100 or 0 to -16 DB what MV to set. Pl reply and guide me. Waiting for reply. In case of 0 to -16 DB MV than I have to set DB level more than -10. There is max value is -10 on AVR. So I m confused pl guide me.
0-16 for the volume display , Check out my latest video for answers to your problem it will tell you why you’re not getting audio when your volume is set to zero
Great informative video!
Can I use an SPL meter that I download on my phone?
You could I’m not exactly sure how accurate they are compared to the real thing some are better than others. Also if you can’t choose the response time and whether it’s A or C weighted then it’s pointless. I say get the real thing they’re not that expensive
Too bad you didin't show that spl meter when you were matching the levels. I'm just wondering how can you get 80dB from your subs when the level is about -7 in your amp?? When i do Audyssey calibration, it always turns the subs down to -12dB..and when i do level matching, i need to crank them up to +10-12dB to get even near the same as all the other speakers (75-80dB)
@JoozdontliketheTruth and you mean what by that?
Hold on... How am I supposed to do this test with the receiver volume turned all the way down? Also, how do you guys crank up the volume all the way up to -10 or 0.00? I have never had to turn my receiver anything louder than -30, at this level its way too loud LOL :'D and you guys are watching movies at 0.00!?
You need to watch the video I just posted on my channel explains why you’re not getting any volume.
Interesting. I stick with the 75dB rating, running my center a bit hot just because. My subs have to be set to 75dB otherwise they'll bring the house down (6 15s and 3 18s). I rarely get too much above -20dB in my AVR and even then, it's shaking things off of the walls and vibrating the fixtures two floors up! It's wild! I really like your theater, super clean, I bet that sounds phenomenal! Subscribed, for sure!
hey thanks! yea I still have some small touches to finish it all. both my 12"s are only at half gain on the back of the sub amp. Ill upgrade to 15" or 18"s when I buy my first house.
@Nat N Are you talking to me? Or to Home Cinema Engineer?
@Nat N Why would you assume I have't done proper tuning in my theater?
@Nat N You make a lot of assumptions, Nat. I am using REW and a MiniDSP. Are you okay, man? Usually people ask before just making assumptions about someone's setup.
@Nat N Ahhh I see, you have egocentric issues. I see! I've never once said anything imposing or threatening yet you're being very confrontational. You're probably younger, so that's understandable. I've posted my most recent REW graphs on The Budget Audiophile's facebook page.
If you're not a member of Home Theater for Everyone on there, you should check that group out as well. Lots of great guys in there. Sign up, post your setup, get some praise.
Hello, your video is one of the best with ref to Calibration. I followed your steps,, but when I make my Marantz Av8802A processor master volume to 0 level, my SPL meter doesn't pick up any pink sound, I also don't hear even when I change the level all the way up to +12 db, can you please assist.
your AVR is displaying volume at Absolute which means it goes from 0-100.
You need to go into your menu and change the read out to display volume in Relative mode then it will read out from -80 to +18 so when you set your volume to 0 on this mode you will definitively here it
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer Thanks very much for your reply, greatly appreciate it. I did try that, and I did hear sound now, but the problem I noticed is the front and center towers, even with the lowest level, I couldn't bring the SPL to 75, lowest I can get is 80s where as the other speakers I am able to set it 75. any advise? appreciate your response
@@jomyjose7534 I'd set it to 85 ref possibly
@@jomyjose7534 I'm having the same problem, did you ever get an answer to your question?
Please tell me how you got 2ch playback on your avr I can not for the life of me figure out how to do it for 2 ch stereo. I have a marantz sr6013 . Thank you ...
Should be in the audio format area, on the remote, App or receiver itself. Sound format button. Or hit the music button and that should default to 2 channel playback
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer thx for the repley I ll have to check and go through it again. I would think 1,800 avr would have that option 🤔
I have an Onkyo receiver. Can I change it to display db levels instead of a numerical scale (0-100)? Thanks! Great video.
Most avrs do allow you to change how volume is displayed
you'll need to check your manual
Yep. Onkyo receiver here too. There’s no way to change it show db levels but I heard to do this calibration setup, the volume level needs to be set to 80. Seems very high, is this correct?
@@M-G-n-T Can't help you much with this. My Onkyo is long gone in favor of a Marantz which offers reference scale volume. But, I had another Onkyo once that did offer reference scale. I believe that on the regular scale it would display "THX Reference" when you hit 80 on the scale. It does seem loud, but it doesn't mean you need to watch all your movies at reference. I calibrated my Marantz to reference, but I almost never watch a movie at reference level. Usually about -5db - -10db.
What volume level are you at when calibrating? No one talks about that.
go back and watch the video, the volume knob has to be set to zero
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer I have a sound bar and came across this randomly. How would it work for that volume wise?
@@brenttitus2134 You cannot calibrate a sound bar only AV Receivers that have trim adjustments and a microphone hook up in the front
He even showed the receiver in the video when he set his volume prior to calibration, it needs to be at 0db for the reference level of 80db
Hi bro
My focal sopra n2 it’s large or small I can put my processer
technically small
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer hi bro
Check mate 130 or 140 which is best
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer bro Reference offset level 0dbor 15db
I have set all my speakers at 75db but I didn't put amplifier at reference level do I need to change my levels or not ? I have subscribed to your video clips a while ago . Cheers
You do not, they just won't be as loud (reference level) but they will all be playing at the the same volume which the point of setting the level. If you find they're not loud enough then you can redo it with the master volume at 0db
Thank you
What is 0db in volume? My sony an1000 goes by volume not db
Whats the list of ur equipment spks rec etc...??
hello ill be making a video about my equipment soon and specs. stay tuned thanks for watching
Great video thanks 👍👍
thanks for watching!
Until i get 75db can i increase the db levels? Iam asking for this because some guys telling we can increase or decrease +/- 3db, so thats why iam asking
can you clarify your question? im not sure what your asking usually +/- 3 dB refers to how a speakers frequency response is measured and plotted to a graph
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer now i got it, so +/- 3db only for how speaker response, is it?
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer so we can increase the speaker levels until we get 75db?
Don't know what I'm doing wrong, I turned volume to 0db I don't hear anything when I turn on test tone "help"
what AVR do you have?
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer denon AVR-X3500H
@@wcat787CmR your avr's volume read out is probably set to ABSOLUTE it needs to be set to Relative.
The scale comes from mathematical terms representing a Relative volume scale. A newly installed receiver un-calibrated will have a volume range of -80.5 dB to +18 dB. -80.5 dB is almost a full mute, where +18 dB is the maximum possible volume output. Once your system is calibrated, 0 dB should provide you with full output from the amplifiers, meaning all other levels are relative to the loudest
@@The.Home.Cinema.Engineer ok ill try that
Very informative and helpful. At around 3:18 of the video you said "in this case you want to set everything to small." Could you elaborate on that a bit more? Are you saying I should disregard or override the automatic speaker calibration and manually set all the speakers to small before setting the reference level? Then I assume you set them back to their correct values?
Audyssey is infamous for setting the speakers type and crossover incorrectly. The only time you want to set your speakers to large is if you dont have a subwoofer and run your speakers full range. SMALL is an absolute must for a home theater. Also you should start with a crossover of 80hz and go from there. Audyssey will often set it as 40hz or 60hz if you have a speaker that can play low. Surrounds, etc it will often set correctly in terms of crossover.
prob have found the answer by now. as i understand it, if you have large woofers in the speaker dedicated large then you should be ok as it can handle low frequency but if not, you are sending low signals to a speaker not designed for it probably clipping. check your speakers frequency response to see how low it goes. for most cases people get powered subs to handle all low freq. it both protects other speakers that cannot play low frequency and adds power to mids highs as the sub has its own power supply and the reciever no longer has to amp them. so its beneficial to set everything to highs for 2 reasons.
hope that helps
Interesting. When I did my SPL meter tests I had my master volume at -20dB to calibrate everything.
Guess I’ll have to play with my system again and Calibrate it with a master volume of 0.0dB
Damn, poor me having to play around with my HT hahahaha
Nice little tip there on the master volume setting though.
Curious what my HT will sound like now 🤗
watch my video on relative vs absolute volume might help
I read that audyssey tune ups don't apply to the test tone, so you might need to run pink noise from source
you may be on to something. how do you control all the trims ?
larry
I get all this and i perfectly understand. What i dont know if the setting under the Option button named Channel Level, you bump up the decibels there too so i dont understand why we have two options for the levels. Lets say under Setup/Speakers/Audyssey/Manual Setup/Levels i set everything to right to reference and then if you mess with channel level probably you screw up that reference setting. I have set all the channel levels to +12db and tomorrow ill set the speaker levels each to reference, it will be that ok? Or should i let the options under channel levels at 0db? I know my AVR pretty well but i never knew why i have two options where i can set levels.
Yas, too loud for us the 0 level and as you, listening the majority of content at -20/-15. I should calibrate at that level? I have to try.
Most people don’t listen at reference level but you should still calibrate to it. Calibrating so 0 on the volume display equals 75DB of pink noise Will ensure that you hear everything even all the sounds in the lower register. Doesn’t mean you have to listen to it at 0
Your proj screen seems like a 2.39:1. Can u make a video on shifting from 16:9 to a 2.39:1 image using projector functions ( if ur project only supports 16:9)
I sure can! thanks for watching and subscribing!
Unfortunately that app is not compatible with my x7200wa. Good job DENON, I’m not upgrading my AVR cuz you want to be jerks!
You can do the same thing without the app. The technology wasn't out back then. I have one receiver that can use the app and one that can't but achieve the same results at both.
@@Analyzer52 there is no way for us without the Audyssey App to modify EQ results. Adjusting distances or volume levels can drastically change the balance of the system. We can see the EQ results on screen, but can’t change it.
@@TheDabbinDave You can change distances and levels on the reciever. You are correct You can't set a house curve. They didn't have this technology when the older receivers were made. However if you really want more options to check and make adjustment REW and a Mic would allow you to do it without having to upgrade.
@@Analyzer52 REW is only really useful when it comes to adjust a sub. Even then, it is limited to phase 0 or 180. Unless you have a sub that has a phase dial. Or better yet, an SVS sub that utilizes PEQ in their app. REW is useless when it comes to room correction that doesn’t allow end user tinkering.
If I’m wrong, PLEASE tell me how before I invest $75-$150 for a mic that will rarely get used. Keep in mind, I run Audyssey probably 10 times a year, when something sounds odd just a bit. I don’t see how I can possibly make adjustments with REW for my 11 speakers with my AVR. I have only seen REW being used for sub adjustments.
@@TheDabbinDaveI don't know why anyone would run Audyssey 11 times a year. You should only need to run it if something in your setup changes. Your just going to drive yourself crazy with that. REW is for more than just subs. You can take measures to see how your speakers are reacting to your room to help properly set your crossovers instead of just setting it to 80hz. Yes you will be limited to not being able to do somethings without the app but if the app is important to you why not upgrade?
Better do theater system don't do home theater system... hahahaha 😤
Too much speaker for what ???..need open theater or do home theater system?.. hahahaha we listening surround sound come live when listen no vibration in head 😤
Reference level is 105db and 115db for the subs. That's a peak number accounting for 20db of head room. Thus average SPL of reference level should be 85db/95db.
The pink noise comes out at -30db from peak, or -10db from the average so that's 75db. The subs come out at -40db (or -20) so both are calibrated to 75db using the AVR or processors pink noise.
@riikerman indeed. You calibrate to reference level then figure out what volume is comfortable for you from there. My comfort zone is -15 to -20