Correct surround speaker balance?

[JimDriver2]

I just got one of those Eltax Atlantis sets from Maplins, and I was impressed with the quality but i think i've got the volume balance wrong.

At the moment i've got my Grundig HT-620 player with its built in amp driving the speakers. It allows me to set volume levels for: left, right, centre, rear left, rear right, sub, bass, treble, middle

Each one can be an out of 10 number. At the moment it seems wrong as i can't hear the rears as much as i'd expect. I was expecting them to be a big improvement over my old sats as their bipolar? I'm using it in a space bout 3 by 3 metres.

Any advice for the right level would be great!:help:

[aliflack]

my understanding is that when watching films you should never really 'hear' the rear speakers (i.e. actually tell a particular noise is coming from one) as they are generally ambience. Yes yes yes sometimes you will (i.e bullets flying etc), but maybe this is why you're not impressed...

Does your amp have test tones? If so just correct the volume until all channels sound to be the same.

[Just]

The right level is something that will totally depend on your room, furnishings, odd angles etc etc. The only real way of setting up the levels properly is to use an SPL meter which measures the true sound pressure.

I agree though that the rears are all too often set way higher than they should be on peoples systems and may not be as noticable as you expect at the correct level.

[still average joe]

But without a Spl meter just run the test tone and adjust untill they all sound like they are the same volume from listening position.
Then if you still want more from the rears, just whack them up. There is no right or wrong setup, its whatever you feel sounds best.