View Full Version : Balancing speakers using a sound level meter
Hi Folks...
I have aquired a sound level meter and wish to balance my five speakers on my system.
Should the speakers all be the same volume from my seating/viewing position or are the fronts louder than the backs ?
:confused:
There should be something in your amp manual about this. My sony amp manual says all speakers should be the same level from the listening position.
And have the meter pickup perpindicular to the sound source.
Sony amp here too..I use the STR-DB940.
Very pleased with it too
Originally posted by rupertx
Sony amp here too
Whey hey, that'll make three of us. (1070)
Sorry to ask the obvious but i assume i use the white noise setting when balancing ?
If possible try and use a test tone from a DVD like the THX Optimode found on some Fox DVDs. Much more reliable than inbuilt sound generators.
I have a Radioshack analog sound level meter and all I did was attach the meter to a camera tripod I had, plonked the tripod in the middle of the sofa [where I would be stitting the most]. I swiched the speaker size to 'large' [to match my Dali Blues], then after getting the test tone screen up from the amp. I swivelled the meter around to each of the speakers in turn and raised or lowered the speaker's volume, through the amp, accordingly.
I repeated this at different volumes several times to confirm it was accurate, then put True Lies on. Made quite a difference :) and it all more enjoyable.
I had expected the task to be harder and frankly I wasn't very good when setting it up originally by ear.
I'll try one of the FOX THX Optimode settings later this weekend just to check.
Hope this helps.
boink!
From Boink
I swivelled the meter around to each of the speakers in turn and raised or lowered the speaker's volume, through the amp, accordingly.
I have a Video Essentials Laserdisc with test tones for setting up Dolby Digital setups and on there it recommends keeping the sound meter pointed forward angled slighty up. Pointing it directly at the speakers may give a level thats too loud.
But each to there own and if it sounds fine thats all that matters.
When you say you raised or lowered the speakers volume through the amp, what sort of levels would your lowest setting be ? 1 db ?
There seems to be so many variations when i scroll through the menus on the amp !
I think i must be making more of this than is necessary .
Ive got the speakers all sounding the same volume now by altering balance etc but as for the settings im using, well, thats anyones guess .
If anyone of you experts are ever passing through sunny Perthshire then please feel fre to call in and have a fiddle with my setup. ( I'll supply the coffee. ( or beer ) ).
:confused:
johnsosn
13-01-2002, 11:16
When I originally set my speakers up,it was by ear.
After purchasing the spl meter and doing the setup again,every setting changed.
Some speakers are 4db lower than before.(that's huge,my ears are way out)
And yes it does sound noticably better,more balanced.
My sub especially was too loud.
On the U.S forums they too advocate not moving the meter with it angled at 45degrees.(not my opinion)
Regards
Now Then....my Sub was left out of it.
The speakers were all set to about +2 on the scale but the sub was reading down at - 10
Do i take it the volume on my sub is set too low then?
johnsosn
13-01-2002, 17:04
Make sure your meter is set to center weighted,if not it will read the sub wrong.
My sub actually sounds quieter on the test tone,but the meter says it's the same.
It sounds better too.Prior to setting it up It would be inbalanced between movies and music.Now it's perfect.
Regards
Anyone know where I can get one of these meters cheapish????
I've tried setting mine up by ear and I just KNOW it's not right!!
Ears full of mince!!! :nuts:
johnsosn
13-01-2002, 18:43
Actually I thought I had mine ok by ear before I got the meter.
I had my surrounds too high and the sub too high.
Originally posted by Rathion
Anyone know where I can get one of these meters cheapish????
We had a group purchase on this item a couple of months back,didn't you see it.
Nah must have missed it! :(
Where did you get it from?? Any idea how much??
The group purchase was arranged by Bapapapa and they were purchased from Germany ? if i recall correctly from radioshack for about £15.
Tandy and Maplins used to sell them over here but i dont think they do anymore.
Not much help really !
It was from ere m8 - http://www.rs-rusk.com/
Think we paid £25 each as a co-buy (10). Price for 1 would have been about £30.
rupertx that was the one before the most recent one!
Originally posted by Edith
It was from ere m8 - http://www.rs-rusk.com/
Think we paid £25 each as a co-buy (10). Price for 1 would have been about £30.
Hmmm site under construction :(
Anybody finished with theirs???
I've got a thread in the classified asking for one or you can mail me if one going spare???
Please :(
Originally posted by Edith
rupertx that was the one before the most recent one!
My God !....
You mean ive had it this long and only just got round to using it ?
I must start getting my priorities in order !..lol
Rathion you could try your local musical instrument retailers......just a thought.
Originally posted by Edith
Rathion you could try your local musical instrument retailers......just a thought.
Yeah will try that at the weekend if I get no offers
Thanks all for all the help
SimonInd
15-01-2002, 09:30
You can order from http://www.rs-rusk.com/ by phoning them - a little old fashioned I know. I did last week and the meter cost £25 plus £5 shipping and arrived the next day.
Simon
Originally posted by SimonInd
You can order from http://www.rs-rusk.com/ by phoning them - a little old fashioned I know. I did last week and the meter cost £25 plus £5 shipping and arrived the next day.
Simon
Phone?? Phone??? Whats the world coming to? NO online ordering!!!! ;)
Thanks for the heads up will give them a call tomorrow
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