CALIBRATION TECHNIQUES
PI - September 1999; April 2004
Tools for Calibration
A) Radio Shack Analog SPL (Sound Pressure Level) Meter
B) Dolby Lab's DD-EX DVD w/dedicated LFE Test Tones
C) Camera tripod
Click to go to Dolby Labs Webstore Site
Radio Shack SPL Meter #33-4450 - Click image for website
Calibration Setup:
Place the Radio Shack SPL Meter #33-4450 (old #33-2050) on a, . . .
1)  Camera tripod (Placed on the couch 'sweet spot' - see my HT Room layout)
2)  Location position (Example: 9' away the 50" Toshiba HDTV)
3)  Adjusted up to your approx. ear height
4)  Point the RS Meter straight ahead towards the TV & Center speaker
5) Angled up by approx. 45-50 degrees - Lock in place
DO NOT MOVE the RS SPL Meter during the Calibration process
Main , Center, Side & Rear Center Surrounds
(A) Setup and Test: (HT Speakers)
Just before running the test signals, . . .setup the RS SPL Meter;

a) Dial = 70 dB
b) Weight = "C"
c) Speed = "SLOW"
d) RUN the Test Signals!
e) ADJUST all the speakers (except LFE) to = 75 dB (See SPL Notes*) (1)
.... Turn-UP your
Volume Control Knob = 75 dB (LEFT Front ONLY)
........ Don't touch your VOL CNTRL Knob again
........ Note the
VOL CNTRL Knob location or Digital Readout = REF LEVEL
.... Use your
Speaker Trim Level Control for the remaining HT Speakers
Now - 7.1 Dolby TrueHD & dts-HD Master Audio
Onkyo TX-SR606
(B) Setup and Test: (LFE)
When you are satisfied. . .change the RS SPL Meter to Calibrate your
LFE;
a) Dial = 80 dB
b) Weight = "C"
c) RUN the Dolby Lab's DD-EX dedicated EX LFE Test Tones!
d) ADJUST the LFE output = 77 dB AVG** (2) (NEW SVS 25-31PCi)

NOTES:
1) SVS 25-31PCi Volume Level = 1/2 power (12 o'clock position)
2) SVS 25-31PCi Crossover =
OFF (Bypassed)
Click to read Secrets of HT SVS 25-31PCi  Review
*SPL NOTES:
Use
75 dB SPL for the following test tones that are recorded @ -30dBFS :
AV Receiver/AMP internal test tones
Dolby Labs DD-EX DVD
Original & Digital Video Essentials DVD's

>>>>><<<<<
Use
85 dB SPL for the following test tones that are recorded @ -20dBFS :
AVIA DVD
Sound & Vision HT Tuneup DVD
Click to see more detailed HT digital images
See my 20' x 30' HT/family Room Overhead Layout
See my 20' x 30' HT/family Room Overhead Layout
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS (Using Dolbly Labs DD-EX)
Vol. Knob REF Mark = -18.5
Bass & Treble Control = 0 (bypassed)
Click to read my LFE Calibration Discussion
LFE SPL setting, 75 dB or 85 dB??
Click button for REF LEVEL discussion
Should YOU WATCH Every DVD @ REF Level??
Click to see my RX-V1300 REF CAL DD-EX 6.1 process
Click to see Detailed Calibration Settings
Personal note: (NEW - SVS 25-31PCi**)
(1) On my Yamaha, I move the volume control knob up until my Left Channel Output = 75 dB.  I do not have seperate output controls for my Front Left and Right Channels, so I use my Balance Control knob to obtain equal 75 dB output between the Front Left Channel and Front Right Channel.

(2)  **AVG. SPL = 77 dB - ( lowest swing of my needle = 76 dB tick mark. and the highest swing = 78 dB.)

- ADJUST UP, . .or DOWN (usually up -  range + 2 dB to + 6dB), depending on your room vs. LFE vs. Equipment. vs. what your HEAR / FEEL!!!  Bass should not be bloated or out of balance.
What you hear or feel -  will be your FINAL adjustment.
Click to read my Yamaha RX-V1300 Subjective Review (replaced RX-V995)
Read my Yamaha RX-V1300 Subjective Review
Last Thoughts: I've checked my Yamaha RX-V1300 REF calibration several times and noted minor SPL changes as the electronics and speakers broke in.

When listening / watching my DVD DD-5.1 movies @ REF level (I never go beyond VE Calibration mark), . .my Vol. Control Knob Listening REF Mark is based on 106 dB (see "REF LEVEL" Link above) 'fast' SPL glorious peaks,  depending on the DVD movie.  The high impact SPL's are the low frequency bumps, bangs, vibrations, tremors and explosions!! Surround balance is exceptional when called for by the DVD and by far,  a more satisfying experience, which is more impressive than.the local Cinema DD/DTS/SDDS Theaters, . . . thus - justifying your time and effort!!
Click to read about DPL Calibration
Should you Calibrate DPL - REF DVD mode also?
How LOUD will your HT Setup go???
Select to run C.M.Collins excellent SPL Calculator
JBL page
SPL CALCULATOR by C.M.Collins
This calculator will compute the predicted maximum sound pressure level (loudness) at the listening position.
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