My HTIB HTS3544 has an option to set speaker volume levels individually. Can someone tell me what this should be used for? It also has delays, but I know that's used for speakers at different distances from the main listening area. I increased the rears by 2db for the heck of it because my room...

My HTIB HTS3544 has an option to set speaker volume levels individually. Can someone tell me what this should be used for?That allows you to adjust the volume of each individual speaker so that you hear the sound at the correct relative volume. It is very important.

So, you want the sound to arrive from each speaker at the correct time (adjusted with the delay settings) and at the correct volume (adjusted with the individual level trims).

Read your manual.

The manual is very basic and doesn't explain the nuances of such settings. I appreciate your reply. I'm guessing this requires calibration equipment to set correctly and since I'm only a scrub AV guy, I suppose it's not THAT important and I can wing it by ear...

Thanks.

I'm guessing this requires calibration equipment to set correctly and since I'm only a scrub AV guy, I suppose it's not THAT important and I can wing it by ear......Yes, you can "wing it by ear". When at the speaker level adjustment menu, your reciever/DVD unit will produce a test tone that you should use for adjusting the speakers' individual levels. While sitting in the 'sweet spot', adjust each speakers' level so that the test tone sounds like it is at the same relative volume. It is probably best to try and leave the front left speaker set to "0dB" and adjust all the other channels' volumes relative to that channel. If, after doing this, you are not happy with the relative levels of your center and/or surrounds, feel free to turn them up to your liking.

If you would like to calibrate the levels a bit more accurately, you can use an SPL meter, available from Radio Shack. Given that the meter probably costs 1/3rd of what you paid for your system, though, it is probably an unnecessary expense. You CAN achieve reasonable results doing this by ear.