Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Martin, if you have a receiver such as the 3808 or the many other units that have auto calibration systems, then no, in my view there's no good reason to do the calibration manually. The auto calibration done with the receiver's built-in SPL meter and processor should be at least as accurate as using a separate external SPL meter to assist in making a manual calibration. The added factor of human error in the manual calibration would make it likely that any difference in the results would mean that it was us, not the receiver, that was "off".
This doesn't mean that an SPL meter isn't useful, and I frequently use my RS digital SPL meter to check minimum, average and maximum sound levels when I play various program materials.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
hobbyist
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hobbyist
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20 |
Ok, but it is possible to let the 3808 just calibrate the distance and level, and not apply any equalizer?
For example when using pure direct button, I would assume that nothing at all is applied? But this mode only supports stereo correct?
Arcam AVR600 Cambridge Audio 640C v2 Oppo DV-980H PMC GB1i PMC DB1M-Ci QS8 v2 EP350 v3
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Correct, and yes, it should be kept in mind that Audyssey and the other calibration/room equalization systems do have those two entirely separate functions. The calibration can be used and not the room equalization.
On the Audyssey equalization function itself, however, I recently read the current issue of The $ensible Sound magazine, in which David Rich ran very extensive tests on the Onkyo 705 and 805, including the Audyssey equalization. In addition to praising them in general for their excellence as amplifiers, Dr. Rich's graphs and listening tests relating to MultEQ XT led him to comment that "The excellent flattening of room effects in the 100Hz-500Hz region improves sound quality for any speaker" It's something that calls for careful experimentation.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
hobbyist
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hobbyist
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20 |
So the recommended setup is to run the auto calibration and leave it with that as it should generate the best response and sound? Im planning to buy the 3808 soon, but Im still trying to figure out some stuff about it. For example how it works with SACD DSD signal over HDMI. Some say that it must convert to PCM if you want to use Audyssey/MultEQ. Also Im trying to figure out what all the EQ modes like cinema and so on are really doing opposed to just running the normal dd/dts modes.
Arcam AVR600 Cambridge Audio 640C v2 Oppo DV-980H PMC GB1i PMC DB1M-Ci QS8 v2 EP350 v3
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
No, that certainly wouldn't be my recommendation. With the 3808 and other receivers which use Audyssey MultEQ XT, it's a major feature(and expense item)of the unit, so part of its function shouldn't be simply discarded. Initially, maybe just the calibration can be done, but the room equalization should then be given a thorough test later on. Dr. Rich's tests and the reports of many users indicate that benefits are to be had.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
hobbyist
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hobbyist
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20 |
I thought that was what I wrote. Im not sure exactly how this works, but I thought you just run the calibration and then the reciever sets everything up for you including EQ etc... Also I just wondered, how do you set the volume knob on the sub before calibrating? And what volume should you turn up to on the reciever when using a SPL meter?
Arcam AVR600 Cambridge Audio 640C v2 Oppo DV-980H PMC GB1i PMC DB1M-Ci QS8 v2 EP350 v3
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
If you use the auto setup and run audyssey then the denon will automatically adjust channel levels during the set up... there is no need to touch the volume knob.
If you manually calibrate then just adjust the channel levels and not the main volume as well. I left the main volume at 0 db (its default posistion in the manual setup menu for the denon) during the entire manual set up and just adjusted the individual channel levels.
-David
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 200
local
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local
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 200 |
I would highly recommend enabling Audyssey. Have a look at this thread over at AVS: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=795421I have the Onkyo 705 and really like the difference Audyssey makes in my room.
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
definitately give it a try. I tried it out and found that I like things better without it... May give it another shot later on in the future though.
-David
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Re: Using an SPL Meter
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,102 |
I think using an SPL meter gives the system that little personal touch, and knowing that it is setup to the best it can be is a great feeling.
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