I have had my Yamaha HTR-5930 HTIB for about six months or so, but I have never calibrated it. I mean, I've put in the basic information, like that I have a subwoofer, how many speakers, and such, and I've turned the center channel up by 2 db, but as far as the other stuff goes, I'm not too sure on how to proceed with speaker distance, LFE level and other adjustments. The setup is in my bedroom, which is reasonably small, about 11.5'x11.5'. I am getting ready to buy a HD DVD player, so I want to be sure my speakers are performing at their optimum ability. Is there a disk for audio calibration that I should purchase? I know they have calibration disks for video, but I don't know if they do for audio. Anyone who can help me out on the steps I should take to properly calibrate my system, I'd very much appreciate.
How do I go about calibrating my setup?
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Speaker distance is the easiest to set. Simply measure how far the speakers are from the "ideal" seating position. So if you sit 10 feet back from your front speakers, enter that. As for, you need a SPL meter. Calibration DVD's like Avia and Digital Video Essentials have sections for calibrating audio.
As for what? Are you talking about adjusting each individual speaker level? I'm pretty sure that's what you meant because I think I read that you need a sound level meter for that part, but I just want to be sure that's what you meant. And thanks for telling me what the "distance" meant. I wasn't sure if that meant the distance of the speakers from eachother or what.
As for what? Are you talking about adjusting each individual speaker level? I'm pretty sure that's what you meant because I think I read that you need a sound level meter for that part, but I just want to be sure that's what you meant. And thanks for telling me what the "distance" meant. I wasn't sure if that meant the distance of the speakers from eachother or what.
the distance actually should be measured from individual speakers to your listening position as against "ideal" position
sound pressure level meter is a must to calibrate individual channel to a specifed level, usually at 75db, while you holding the meter at your listening position. also ideal to point the meter at ceiling instead of aiming at the speakers
sound pressure level meter is a must to calibrate individual channel to a specifed level, usually at 75db, while you holding the meter at your listening position. also ideal to point the meter at ceiling instead of aiming at the speakers
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is it really worth the $50 dollars to have a sound level meter, if you have a cheap surround sound. can't you do it by ear? Sorry i am also wanting to calibrate my surround sound and don't want to drop anymore cash..
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I found one for half that: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92282
I'm still waiting for some feedback on my other thread whether it's as good as the radio shack one. (I'm guessing, yes.)
When it comes to calibration, even on cheap systems, it really can only help. Also, it's not as though you couldn't use a meter if you upgrade later.
Best of luck.
I found one for half that: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92282
I'm still waiting for some feedback on my other thread whether it's as good as the radio shack one. (I'm guessing, yes.)
When it comes to calibration, even on cheap systems, it really can only help. Also, it's not as though you couldn't use a meter if you upgrade later.
Best of luck.
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if you don't wan't to calibrate a system the proper way. then why bother get a home theater system?! just like everyone said. calibrate your system the right way. even if its a cheap home theater in a box. go to your local radio shack and get a 45 bucks spl meter. and a calibrating disk. .then follow the instructions. on how to calibrate your systems with a spl meter.how to calibrate your system with a spl meter 101. http://www.techlore.com/article/1003...008AB481B8A36F
have fun. its really easy to do.
have fun. its really easy to do.
I calibrated my system yesterday by following the instructions in the link provided by ben. I'm not sure if I did it right though. For one, the instructions read to play the test tone of the first speaker (left channel) and adjust the range on the sound meter until it read "0 dB." I never was able to get an exact reading of "0 dB;" a 70 dB range was too low and 60 dB was too high, so what I did was adjust the volume of the left channel until it I got 0 dB on the sound level meter. I left the range on 60 dB for the rest of the test and adjusted each channel accordingly until they all read out as 0 dB. That part of the test I followed correctly I believe, but does it matter if I had to adjust the level of the first channel in order to get a 0 dB reading? I just want to make sure I did that right.
I calibrated my system yesterday by following the instructions in the link provided by ben. I'm not sure if I did it right though. For one, the instructions read to play the test tone of the first speaker (left channel) and adjust the range on the sound meter until it read "0 dB." I never was able to get an exact reading of "0 dB;" a 70 dB range was too low and 60 dB was too high, so what I did was adjust the volume of the left channel until it I got 0 dB on the sound level meter. I left the range on 60 dB for the rest of the test and adjusted each channel accordingly until they all read out as 0 dB. That part of the test I followed correctly I believe, but does it matter if I had to adjust the level of the first channel in order to get a 0 dB reading? I just want to make sure I did that right.
Just an update, I did the test again using the instructions in the link DigitalGuy provided. I had my range at 70 dB this time instead of 60 dB like the last test. I had to raise the master volume a little higher this time (-5 dB) to get the first channel at 75 dB, but once I did that, I adjusted each of the other channels to 75 dB as well. This way seems like a better way to do the test I think. The overall speaker volume of each channel is higher on this test than the previous one, so I won't have to raise the volume as high to get a good sound.
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How does it sound now?
How does it sound now?
It sounds really good actually. I watched one of my favorite movies the other day, The Devil's Rejects, and the gun fight at the beginning of the film sounded better than I remembered. The Hills Have Eyes remake was one HBO-HD the other day as well, and the surround sounded excellent. I actually jumped at one point because I thought that one of the sounds was coming from outside my room. I've never been fooled by my surround speakers before. I guess I can say it was worth it.
It sounds really good actually. I watched one of my favorite movies the other day, The Devil's Rejects, and the gun fight at the beginning of the film sounded better than I remembered. The Hills Have Eyes remake was one HBO-HD the other day as well, and the surround sounded excellent. I actually jumped at one point because I thought that one of the sounds was coming from outside my room. I've never been fooled by my surround speakers before. I guess I can say it was worth it.
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