Yamaha RX-V1300 REF Calibration

DETAILED CALIBRATION: YAMAHA RX-V1300 (04/25/03)

After switching places with my Yamaha RX-V995 DD/DTS 5.1 AV Receiver (going up to my vacation house to replace my DD-5.1 only Yamaha R-V905/RX-V595 & JBL NSP1 w/AudioSource SW15 200w 15" sub), ... I played my Jazz CD music (Stereo / 2-channel) @ slightly above normal and ...

... adjusted the "SWFR" Level (Remote) down, ...

... until I heard the seamless lower bass blend (acoustic/electric bass; bass drum; tom-toms; etc.) from my SVS 25-31PCi** up to my JBL S26's** super flat Studio Monitor like mids (voices; piano; keyboard; etc.) & crystal clear highs (cymbals; violin string section; bells; triangle; etc.).

**FYI: Read my JBL S26 & SVS 23-31PCi Subjective Reviews by clicking the respective images ...

*^*Yamaha RX-V1300 Analog (PCM) Subwoofer Results:
1) Volume @ -35.0
2) SPL Fast Peaks = 96 dB (RS Meter Dial = 90 / Weight = C / Speed = FAST)
3) SWFR = -8.5 (Final adjustment - perfect lower frequency blend; bass not boomy or bloated)

NEXT:

After I finished installing my Rear Center Speakers (two JBL S26 wired in-series
- 20' from the front wall - 20' x 30' w/10' high vaulted ceiling HT/family room) ....

.... I was ready to REF Calibrate my 6.1 HT Setup including my Digital LFE bass!

DIGITAL LFE REFERENCE CALIBRATION:
(RS Meter: Dial = 70 / Weight = C / Speed = SLOW)

1) I changed the Speaker Setup REAR CT SP = SML (was NONE)

2) REFERENCED Calibrated using Dolby Digital - "Explore Our World" DVD DD-EX Test Tones:
.... a) Dolby Digital EX HT Speaker Test Tones = 75 dB

3) Next: Changed RS Meter Dial = 80 / DD-EX dedicated LFE Test Tone:
.... b) Dolby Digital EX LFE Test Tone = 77 dB AVG (highest needle swing = 78 dB / lowest = 76 dB)

FINAL REF CALIBRATION RESULTS:

NEW Updated: 2/5/05

Yamaha RX-V1300:
Volume Control Display = -19.5 REF Level
Tone Controls = Bypassed

LEVEL MENU
- CENTER:... -8.0
- R SUR:....... +2.0
- REAR CT:.. +4.0
- L SUR:........ +2.0
- SWFR:....... -8.5*

SETUP MENU
- BALANCE:... L & R = 0
- LFE:............. -11*
- SP Delay: (in feet**)
.......... Main LR: 9.0 ft. / (actual LT = 9' - 0" / RT = 9' - 1")
.......... CENTER: 9.0 ft. / (actual = 8' - 9")
.......... Rear LR: 10.0 ft. / (actual L SUR = 9' - 10 1/2" / R SUR = 10' - 2")
.......... Rear CT: 10.0 ft. / (actual 10' - 2")

*The Bass support is 100% A-OK when switching between my DD/DTS DVDs Digital LFE bass to my analog bass 2-channel Music CD's (DPL TV shows, VHS tapes, etc.)!!!
** All measurements from my tripod mounted Radio Shack SPL Meter located @ my 'sweet spot' to each speakers.
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So, do I listen & watch my DVD's @ REF LEVEL??? - NO!!!

My usual once or twice a month DVD presentation SPL is approx. -10 dB below REF Level (105/106 dB*)

I say approximately because, ... some DVD's LFE are mixed hotter than others.

So I usually start out dialing -29.5 dB (my -10 dB below REF Level mark) and then monitor my presentation DVD SPL's, ... basically the LFE bombastic actions, before my family & friends come over. In those cases where the DVD LFE is mixed hotter, ... I lower my Volume SPL level until my Analog Radio Shack SPL Meter reads approx. 105/106 dB Fast LFE SPL Peaks levels @ my 'sweet spot'. I then make a note of that Volume Digital Readout and I'm ready for the nite's DVD presentation!

I've been setting my presentation DVD's SPL to = approx. 105/106 dB* (-10 dB below REF Level) since 1998 and my usual family / friends crowd keeps coming back! 105/106 dB* is loud enough to move the floor, couch, seats, walls, pant-leg(s) @ all my seating locations in my 20' x 30' HT/family room, ... when the encoded LFE calls for the sub-sonic air moving effect(s), but still maintain an audible & understandable whispering dialog level (timbre-matched speakers is a must!) during the quieter moments during the movie!!!

But for the most part, as an average, ... most of my blockbuster DD/DTS-5.1/6.1 DVD's @ my 'sweet spot' and HT/family room follow this "Digital Readout / SPL" scenario ...

Digital Readout / SPL
-19.5 dB / REF LEVEL approx. 115 dB*
-24.5 dB / -5 dB below REF Level approx. 110 dB*
-29.5 dB / -10 dB below REF Level approx. 105 dB*
-34.5 dB / -15 dB below REF Level approx. 100 dB*
-39.5 dB / -20 dB below REF Level approx. 95 dB*

*Fast LFE SPL Peaks (RS Meter Dial = 90 dB to 110 dB respectively / Weight = C / Speed = FAST)

Click to return to my Calibration Techniques webpage

Radio Shack SPL Meter #33-4450

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(Click to read about Dolby Digital)

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PI April 2004

Yamaha RX-V1300 (initial settings - default)
SWFR: 0 (range: 0 to -20)
LFE: 0 (range +10 to -10)
Speakers: Small
Tone Controls: Bypassed
SVS 25-31PCi
Volume Level: 1/2 power (12 o'clock high)
Auto ON/OFF: ON
Crossover: OFF (bypassed)