Setting Up Your Home Theater 101 - Page 3

Originally Posted by cj16mm

Hello,

I'm still educating myself in the Home Theater Audio arena so bear with me. I've read quite a bit and gotten my system (Yamaha HTIB YHT-380) to a good place but have one remaining issue I'm having trouble finding information on.

A) LFE/Bass Out: In this option I can select the speakers that output the LFE signal to the Subwoofer only or to both the Subwoofer and Front speakers. Which is the best option? I try to use my ear to just say, "this sounds better" but I'm still getting used to having surround sound in general so it's kind of a bombardment of stimulation at this point. Also, I wouldn't know if something else was the byproduct of this setting (good or bad).

B) Dynamic Range: In this one, I can select the amount of "Dynamic Range Compression" to be applied to my speakers. Options are Min., STD, and MAX. The description of each one doesn't exactly clarify what I'm changing. Right now, I would say that the difference between a regular scene containing dialogue/atmosphere and a heavy action scene are a bit much. I want those regular scenes to be a good volume but I don't want to shatter the windows when somebody goes berserk with a shotgun. It says that MAX preserves the greatest amount of Dynamic Range. Does that mean the range is larger? If that is so, does that mean that setting it to anything else is altering the signal and possibly degrading it or losing tonal range?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by AllAboutTheHD

I understand how to calibrate my system for 5.1 with the SPL meter etc..

but I'm curious how everyone calibrates their surrounds when using a 7.1 system.. especially when they listen to 7.1 discrete PCM tracks on Blu-ray.
Do you calibrate each of the 4 surround speakers independently?
OR do you calibrate each channel independently? i.e. as if you're setting up your 7.1 to listen to both 7.1 or 5.1 material, by calibrating the left surround of the 5.1 channel with both Side-Left surround AND back left surround turned on together?

I've looked through these calibration 101 posts, but no one seems to clarify this. It's important because it could be +/- 3dB either way.

Thanks for any help!

Originally Posted by saldog78

A very nice collection of links, Dr. Thanks!

One thing i'd like to know more about is the setup of acoustical absorbers (or diffusers, or bass traps) specifically in a dedicated home theater room (i.e. not just 2 channel audio). It seems the fiberglass based products are viewed as superior to foam, so you might want to link to threads discussing the various products (either DIY or ready-made), and placement of the treatments. I understand treating the first reflection points on the side walls, but how much is needed (i've read up to 30% of wall surface area should be covered!), where else is it needed (i.e. entire wall behind front speaker), etc? I read things about treating from the floor to the listening height all around the side and rear walls, but i don't really understand that much. Also, what about floor and ceiling treatment? I've again read conflicting reports of what's recommended, especially on the floor, since carpets and rugs can be "comb" absorbers.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by QueueCumber

No video section? I know it is an audio forum, but the list is so complete, it would be cool if one were added.

Originally Posted by nozerider

Thanks very much DrPain.


I just purchased an SPL meter from Radioshack and did the prescribed calibration.


HOLY CRAP

I can't believe what a difference it made. Absolutely fantastic,my HT immersion has gone up 100%. Definitely worth the $44.99 I spent on the SPL meter.

Originally Posted by nozerider

Could someone in layman's term explain to me what I need to do for accurate results?


I just calibrated my system. Set the meter to 70, set the volume on my receiver so the needle hovers around 0db. I then adjusted everything to the +5db setting. Supposedly I'm at 75db for my speakers, and my sub is 85db at my reference level.


What do I need for more accurate results?

Originally Posted by isu1648

the thing im wondering about most is wattage. is comparing the wattage of the receiver and speaker the most crucial part? obviously im worried about blowing speakers or the receiver, etc, so i just want to make sure im pairing the right components. for example, i have JBL scs500.5 speakers, that say they have impedance of 8 ohm and maximum amplified power of 100 watts. the receiver im planning on getting is the Onkyo TX-SR705, which says it has an output of 100 watts per channel. Do these matching wattages mean that I am good to go? or are there other settings that need to be adjusted? i read the link about power, but a lot of the terms used in that are not used in the manuals of the components i have, making it a little harder. if anyone can elaborate on what you need to look at in terms of power thatd be awesome.

thanks

Originally Posted by dbelon

You have to remember there are many people here who don't own very high resolution systems. To them cable is cable and you can't tell them otherwise. It is usually best not to bring the topic up as it cause much anger and hand-wringing.