How quiet should the rear speakers be compared to the fronts?

The should be the same volume with test tones. But source material will obviously dictate what volume they're used at.



Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchDmcfreek88 /forum/post/18098993


I get lots of different opinions on this. Lots of people tell me they should be a lot quieter to the point its 5 or 6 db lower compared to the fronts. How do you guys have you systems set up?

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So with your recommended setting, during say a "Helicopter fly over", the actual volume drops 5 or 6 db at the surrounds, while panning from front to back...not very convincing.



Quote:
Originally Posted by gooki /forum/post/18099072


The should be the same volume with test tones. But source material will obviously dictate what volume they're used at.

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+1 Same volume as front and center.

See i learn some thing new every day.

I had my surrounds set to 70 db on spl meter. So,if i read this thread correct i should set surrounds at 75 db same as front? just want to be sure.


avgeek07



Quote:
Originally Posted by AvGeek07 /forum/post/18100680


See i learn some thing new every day.

I had my surrounds set to 70 db on spl meter. So,if i read this thread correct i should set surrounds at 75 db same as front? just want to be sure.


avgeek07

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Yes, all speakers should be set to produce the same test tone SPL at your listening position and 75db is the correct number.

I have my surrounds calibrated 3 dB lower than the front channels.



Quote:
Originally Posted by cavu /forum/post/18100954

Why?

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That's the SPL calibration level where the system sounds balanced by ear. Note that my surrounds are mounted high on the wall.


I can send audio to all adjacent pairs of speakers, and going by ear the -3 dB surround calibration point sounds balanced with the adjacent front speakers.


There is a note about this calibration in the Dolby literature about setting the surrounds -3dB lower than the other speakers.

JPC -


Are your surrounds direct or dipole/tripole?



Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchDmcfreek88 /forum/post/18098993


I get lots of different opinions on this. Lots of people tell me they should be a lot quieter to the point its 5 or 6 db lower compared to the fronts. How do you guys have you systems set up?

Click to expand...

If you go by the multichannel standards, they should be the same SPL level from the listening position as the fronts.


The problem is, many producers of source material, particularly live broadcast television, do a horrible job at mixing their multichannel audio. They set the rear channels way to loud for the sound they are trying to effect (ie football broadcast for the NFL frequently have way too loud surround content for what is effectively crowd noise)... and that may have folks setting thier levels differently.


It depends on what you use listen to mostly. If TV broadcasts are your main use of surround... then setting the surround/back levels lower can improve things with the badly mixed material. If well mastered DVD/BD type material is your main goal... then setting levels correctly will let you hear it the way the sound engineers designed it.