[msb212]

Hi all,


I am a relative newbie here, so this may well be a stupid question - apologies. I have recently upgraded my speakers (and soon my processor) and want to make sure that I set everything up correctly, particularly in terms of bass. I have the KEF XQ5's as front speakers, and have just purchased the DefTech supercube reference. I read everyone talking about flattening their curves, etc., and am wondering what meter do I buy to accompish cirrect calibration? Also, to the extent that there is an easily digestible article somewhere explaining what exactly I am supposed to do, I would appreciate a link to that as well! Thanks in advance.

 

[bpape]

For channel calibration:

Use the built in test tones in your processor and measure the level of each channel at each of the seats (or at least the primary ones you use most). Adjust the levels accordingly. Balance the sub to the other 5 or 7 as close as possible for now, you'll want to repeat this again after you do the bass stuff.


For Bass Setup:

If you want to do it on the cheap, you can get a meter from Radio Shack and a test CD from Rives Audio that has corrections for that particular meter built into the tone levels. You'll have to plot each individual frequency to see what your curve looks like.


Measure at your seating position(s) and seated head height. If you notice an anomoly at one seat over the others itis probably related to that position being in a 'peak' or a 'null' of one or more of the room dimensions. In order to deal with those, you can :


move the sub around to smooth things out


apply acoustical treatments to absorb the offending frequencies


move the seating position to a less affected area if possible (doesn't take much sometimes)


purchase a parametric EQ to deal with large issues


After you get your bass as good as you can, reassess it's level in relation to the other channels and boost/cut the overall level accordingly.


I wish there was a good single place to look but it's kind of everywhere. This forum has a lot of good threads on how to do these things, you just gotta weed through them.

 

[Saviure]

You can get the "Avia Guide to Home Theater Home theater information and setup DVD". It is available at Amazon.com and other places. It has all the information you will need, with test patterns as well. They recommend the Radio Shack meter.

 

[msb212]

Thanks very much.