How to Use an SPL Meter to Calibrate Speaker Levels

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Level matching your speakers isn’t a topic that gets talked about much these days. With auto-calibration systems like Audyssey MultEQ, Yamaha’s YPAO, Anthem’s ARC, etc., it’s generally done for you. However, while these systems usually yield good results in this respect, it’s never a bad idea to double check the calibration. Fortunately, this is relatively easy to do using a SPL (Sound Pressure Level) meter. We discuss this procedure in this video and show you how to balance the levels of your multi-channel speaker system.
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[@Avean]

This basicly changed my sound system completely. I have had it for years but recently ive been thinking if it shouldnt just sound way better than it does. So i did the whole audyssey setup multiple times, then i looked at the levels which was WAAAAYYY off. Did a quick calibration with sound meter on my phone and it was night and day. Im gonna buy a SPL meter tomorrow to get it perfectly.

[@mikef8654]

If you haven’t already. Room treatment makes a huge difference as well.

[@JayJay-jx3zg]

Did the SPL meter change your db levels drastically compared to what you got with your phone?

[@Avean]

@@JayJay-jx3zg No the phone worked really good :)

[@JayJay-jx3zg]

@Avean I just watched another vid comparing the phone app to an SPL meter shortly after my question to you, and there wasn't a difference if you used one of the good apps. Yay for technology, for sure.

[@adamm.1367]

This is a fantastic tutorial. It completely demystified the task of calibrating my speakers. I've generally had very good results with the Audissey EQ on my Onkyo (except for the pesky center channel that always seems to be adjusted low). But it will be great to be able to further adjust the levels beyond the automated config. Many thanks!

[@adamcaveproject8299]

Great video! I have my radio shack spl meter from way back and wouldn't be caught without it for room setups. It's a great tool and helps a lot! Thanks for the C setting comment, I'll be doing that moving forward. BTW, SPL meter is awesome for my live band gigs. Very important to sounding better and at the right level.

[@tle999yt]

Thanks for the video. I still remember, decades ago, hanging around the Radio Shack store near my house with a paper pad and an HP-35 calculator designing Linkwitz-Riley filters based on their stock of op-amps, resistors and capacitors. I found my Radio Shack meter (Realistic cat no. 42-3019), put in a battery and it still works.

[@marksteward5358]

Gene and Audioholics has been an amazing help. I'm driving all SVS prime and ultra speakers..I'm beginning to become an audiophile thanks to Audioholics and Gene's incredible knowledge

[@lvKingCobravl]

We’re in 2024 and I barely purchased my first SPL meter. Thanks Gene for this wonderful video. I am new to HT.

[@yl1974]

Thank you Gene for this video. The Yamaha YPAO auto calibration on the RX-V6xx series tends to set the center and surround levels 2 to 3db to high which does not sound good. At first I thought it was compensating for eq adjustments but having run the calibration on 2 models (673 on a friend's system & 677 my personal system) they both did the same thing. Using my Radio Shack meter set the levels correctly and now my system and my friend's, sounds balanced and clear. Having watched this video confirms I did the right thing. Thanks again.

[@HelveticaBold1]

Nice video! I recently used an SPL meter to calibrate my speaker. this video confirmed I did it the correct way.

[@vestrebio250]

Thanks for your videos. I have really learned a lot watching several off them. And my 7.1 surround system have benefit a lot from it, it's like having a brand new system. I really needed this help, because you almost need a higher engineer education to manage a modern receiver now a days.

[@dcrnoodle]

So this video might be 5 years old but today after 2 years trying to do the perfect settings and failed many times… I followed this video to the T and my system has never sounded so good !! Thank you audioholics- thank you muchly 👌

[@JC-bl9bo]

Awesome video, I've been looking for a video like this for months now after I found my old radio shack SPL meter. I've been using the Auto-calibration for so long I forgot how to balance the system myself. I couldn't find a video on you tube that properly explained it but here it is. Excellent, love Audioholics. I'm gonna go and check my levels myself now just to be sure.

[@XDefinitive]

Thank you, I really like how passionate you are about this stuff.

[@laurabrown7086]

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[@dazzz887]

Was able to pick up the digital version of this meter. That slow response option is a life saver.

[@Dealete420]

I found your channel a few days ago, you've been a major help to this HT rookie. Thank you!

[@richardbulot2785]

Thanks so much, your video has cleared up some confusion on the proper use of the SPL. And, I do have the old Radio Shack meter that I first used many years ago with my first AVR that lacked any auto setup features

[@babymantuck3256]

HI, very informative video. Finally got me RadioShack SPL meter and ran the calibration using this video as a guide. Now my home theater sounds much better.

[@EdwardPCampbell]

I have had both versions of this Realistic (Tandy UK) DB meter. I gave the analog version to the manager of Wembley Loudspeakers, Hammersmith, London, about 35 years ago. I replaced it about 20 years ago with the digital version. Back in 1980, at the Olympia Sound Show , London, I had the old analog one checked. It was exactly correct, centred at the midpoint '0', according to an expensive, Bruel & Kjaer 4230 94dB 1000Hz sound calibration source, which fitted over the mike shroud. Good gear at a budget price.

[@mikedinno8413]

I just bought one of the Radio Shack meters on e-Bay and love it. I was pleasantly surprised at how close my Pioneer SC-LX704 MCAAC came to the correct levels. Almost dead on. I ran my center a little hot like Gene suggests but I also ran my surrounds a little hot also. BTW, I want to share a little problem I ran into. I activated my 'Input Volume Absorber' in my AVR and it completely screws with your speaker levels so just be aware of settings when you do this.

[@JDuBz815]

Got myself a meter. Followed your directions. Wow. Huge difference over MCACC. Thanks, Gene

[@andreika6681]

now get yourself acoustic panels and treat your room, chances are you get even bigger changes in sound quality :-)

[@JDuBz815]

@@andreika6681 I would but it's not my house

[@davidt8438]

I’ve. Had that Radio Shack for over 30 years now. It’s worked flawlessly the whole time and at the time I bought it the price was $12.00 I’d call that a good purchase.

[@logan1966]

A spl meter is one of the best investments to get for your theater. After auto calibration, it is amazing to discover just how much off the system is. One thing also is most systems will set your speakers to large during auto calibration no matter what size they are. I think it is a good practice to set them to small if you have good subwoofers even if they are towers.

[@derrickmcpherson44]

Brian TV I was wondering I have a svs pb2000 an a cheap sony str-750 an klipsch f3. Speakers.should I set them small or large also should i set my sub to mono.

[@biteme263]

My denon does a pretty good at setting the speakers to small and getting the crossover points pretty close. It normally nails the distances too.

[@romanlewandowski9616]

Great video Gene I just brought one had to get it from England works great

[@himesjon]

I like this format of your videos much better.

[@sirjoebuk3318]

Thank you for sharing your expertise on this channel balance. So, what is the difference with this or how does the channel level adjust integrate into all these? Basically where one hit the option button on the receiver's remote and confronted with all these level adjustments.

[@jokerzwild106]

Thank you for making this video. Very helpful.

[@rickgarza265]

I just realized my mistake on placement of the SPL meter where I positioned it just a few inches away from each speaker (duhhh) so now after watching this video I will do it correctly ... thanks for the video

[@docjohnson3980]

Here's your sign 😂 JK bro I'm sure your not alone.

[@swayne1441]

Hey Gene! I don't know how possible it would be but I think it would be great to see a video talking about some of the great DIY designs that are available to people. Such as the stuff from Jeff Bagby, Siegfried Linkwitz or Paul Carmody. Most of the things they put out can easily be built by almost anyone with a good kit and can provide people with the sound of a premium speaker without having to sell your car. I think your knowledge of engineering could provide some great insight into some of the designs.

[@c.thiele1588]

I recently got myself an SPL meter and I am really glad, I did. The surround channels were 5db too low. I was also able to blend my sub better into the system. So it is really a useful item. But still sad to see how off Auto EQ was, and I relied on it for so long... Greetings from Germany.

[@boimesa8190]

auto eq on what device?

[@allstar930]

Same here. I spent 9 years with jacked up auto EQ settings. Worse yet, I've moved several times and never even reran the auto config. Yesterday I realized I lost the mic so I set the levels manually and realized that the rears were something like -5db below what they needed to be to be balanced. I'm an idiot.

[@fennkell]

Now we’re cookin!!!! Casper DTS never sounded so great!!! Thank you

[@allstar930]

Don't be like me and run autoconfig one time after buying my first big-boy AV receiver then leave the same settings for the following 9 years, move several times, swap out speakers, and lose the autoconfig mic. After watching these informative videos, I went through all the settings. All I can say is do your homework and trust your ears (and an SPL meter). They make very good SPL iPhone apps if you need one in a pinch. The one I use is called SPLnFFT and I've used it to level out lots of gear that I use to DJ with. For some reason, I never thought to take a fresh look at my home theater setup. Hell, my levels were all over the place. My surrounds were like 5db below where they needed to be (which explains why I never really could hear them). I'm an idiot, don't be like me.

[@smit1001]

This is a great video. I still use this very same meter to this day.

[@therealshanelee]

I've owned that same radio shack meter for about 20 years now 👍👍

[@eddiewillers1442]

Me too.

[@redrooster1908]

@@eddiewillers1442 Me three.

[@TimothyTurtle32]

Same here! Worked for Radio Shack back in the 80's when they came out with it. Mine is light grey but everything else is the same. As a kid always wanted to know how loud my Dads boat was with the big chrome headers were roaring down the lake. You rarely would see this happen today but neat to see this device used by others. Mine still has that new smell because I keep it wrapped up unused. Too funny!

[@frankcaruso6781]

Excellent advice been doing this for 20 years.

[@richardwestmoreland4796]

I only recently learned about these SPL meters as I bought my AVR used and even though the Yamaha model RX-V781 when you buy it new is supposed to come with a microphone to run Yamaha’s YPAO calibration system I didn’t know that when I bought it used so I have been shopping for the appropriate microphone to use with my AVR but now that I’ve learned a bit about these SPL meters I might forego buying the microphone and just use a SPL meter. It would be interesting to know how accurate Yamaha’s YPAO calibration system is compared to the readings I get from the SPL meter but I think I will just buy a meter first and if I can find a YPAO microphone that fits my model of AVR that is not very expensive I might buy it for comparison purposes. Thank you Gene for your clear and concise video on this topic. Some of the videos that you do are a bit too technically involved for me but that certainly isn’t the case with this one. I fully understand that people have different levels of their ability to understand some of the more in depth information that you share with us less informed people who are interested in this hobby of mine. Thanks again. I very much enjoy and appreciate all that you do.

[@familytime2891]

thanks especialy for the idea about the center chanel , i got to go and check that righ now .

[@SP-kk7rg]

Please upload more videos about audio calibration...

[@danieltremblay8355]

Very good video Gene, one thing that surprised me is the tonal difference between the center and the right mains since the speakers are all RBH.

[@Audioholics]

Yes but the mic wasn't positioned in the center of the listening area and the center is also horizontally mounted so that plays a factor especially when using pink noise.

[@Stevo19801]

I find adduessy sets the levels at 75db with multieq engaged with it off it's about 72db, the reason is the curve is boasted in places to make it flat. So I would recommend genes advise to check all levels independently, especially if you have multi eq off.

[@howardhuuues9866]

Hi Gene...as usual, a great video. I was wondering what inexpensive SPL meters you would recommend in place of the Radio Shack/Realistic meter. I had an analog Radio Shack meter identical to the one you’re using in the video and loved it, sadly it died the other day. I don't want to buy a used SPL meter, and would prefer an analog display. I miss Radio Shack. Thanks in advance...

[@fastudiorecordz1]

Awesome, thanks for the run down very clear.

[@mikebass2700]

Great vlog! What is your thought of downloading an SPL meter app for your phone?

[@thejon1344]

Hello there awesome video! I just have a question what volume do you leave it at when equalizing your system?

[@Kruptosman]

Thanks for this great video but how do you get into manual setup on yamaha?

[@mikecruz5246]

I always check the levels after auto calibration . The receiver tends to set them higher but it does get distance right . I wonder if you have heard or tried a dirac setup to see if it is as accurate as some say it is .

[@grantgoble1443]

Dude, thank you so much man. That's all I wanted to know. If I had done that right.

[@Chat_TPG]

Hi Gene, just found your channel and love the content! So I basically had a similar question as I think someone asked but Im still unsure. When I start the calibration process to check for db levels. What volume level am I calibrating at? I.E. 20, 30, 40? Then I adjust the db lvls from my speakers to reach a db lvl of around 60/80? Using an older reciever Onkyo 626, Klipsch 30c, x4 Klipcsh CDT 5800-CII, & 1 sub Klipsch R-120 Thanks for any advice! I see you cover Marantz & Denon in many of your videos. Would love to see content on other receivers like Sony, Yamaha or even Onkyo. Or maybe covering troubleahooting when it comes to pairing them with LG/Sharp/Sony TV's.

[@ChookyChuck]

I got my SPL meter around 2000. Mine is a Radio Shack one but it has digital readout. They also will reveal how different Artist Mix the audio levels on both Music and Movies.

[@KillerSneak]

I know this is pretty old video but it’s very informative. I do have a two questions. There are 2 settings I can use to add gain/dB on my Denon. There’s also a source level depending on what source (HDMI) is used. Should this always be on 0db as well? And would an app on my IPad also work to measure the sound (as I don’t have an SPL meter “yet”)

[@WindyCity1014]

This is a really informative video, but I'm still a bit confused about how to start out the calibration process. I have a Denon that automatically adjusts the master volume to play the test tones at 0dB as I believe you mentioned. That is louder than I would normally listen as well, but I am still confused as to how to adjust the master volume for the fronts. I think you mean that I should set the pink tone trim for the "fronts" to 0dB and then reduce the master volume until the SPL reads 75dB in the listening position? Since each test tone plays out of a separate channel, would I only do this for the FL? I don't see how I can set both the FL and FR to 0 and reduce the master volume get 75dB from each of them at the same listening position?

[@davidmckee2898]

I've got the same sound metre but my digital. You are supposed to hold this up words. But what do you do when you are doing your Atmos speakers. Do pointed straight up or to the side👌

[@chrisohrling149]

This is a very good video on how to set up the sound for the speakers and I don't have a auddessy mic at all or any mic to do a proper setting and when I go to the speaker level to adjust the levels I don't get a hissing sound like yours sound but I get a clipping sound from my speakers and I have 4 power amplifiers running all of my speakers and my front stage speakers are cerwin vega speakers and my speaker levels are set to + 9 and my back speakers are set to + 10 and my power amplifiers are hooked up to the pre outputs on my pioneer VSX-1016 TXV receiver and I need help on this as I don't want to damage anything and please let me know what I can do to fix this do I need a pre amplifier for my home theater system as I don't know what to do and I have 7.1 speaker setup please let me know thank you

[@sgshere]

Hi Gene, I randomly listen to your videos and or visit online articles from which I have received wealth of knowledge so thank you for that. If possible, I would love for you to address my issue. Recently bought a SPL meter in hopes of manually calibrating my speakers. I have an Onkyo TX-NR787 9.2 ch. AVR with 5.2.4 atmos setup. This AVR doesn’t let me alter the master volume using the remote or even using the dial when playing test tones manually. I could clearly tell the test tone is not being played at reference level partly because I can tell that it’s not loud enough but also because when I perform AccuEQ auto calibration setup, it plays multiple test tone at different dBs. Is there another creative way to manually calibrate speakers with such AVRs. I literally have gone through the entire manual. Thanks for your help!

[@stefanpiperov2779]

Thank you for a nice, useful video!

[@jonsanchez1623]

expert advise as usual, how about the subs Sir -- should I also run it?

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

so when calibrating your speakers with an SPL meter, what dbs should you start off at??? on the AVR

[@ronbates9445]

I have a Anthrm 90 processor and used ARC genesis to balance my audio. Should I also use your meter trim method after the ARC calibration?

[@BruceWayne-jg3hv]

How can I attach an Audyssey mic to a tripod like the one shown in this video and the one shown in the Av setup guide setting up crossovers video because I cannot find an attachment that will work with an Audyssey mic for the tripod shown? Which is what I need based on my home arrangement.

[@calinubro]

Thanks for the video! What setting should my subwoofer be set to while running SPL meter test? LFE? And GAIN 1/2 volume?

[@howardhuuues9866]

Your subwoofers gain and crossover should be set to whatever you normally leave it on...by that I mean whatever you normally set it to while watching a movie. Hope that helps...

[@Eurica76]

Hey Gene what's the best why to level match Atmos speakers ? Or could this method be used also ?

[@3dmazter]

If my sub has no LFE but only left right input do I need to use both inputs with a Y adapter or do I use just one of the two inputs? My reciever has two sepperate sub out connectors so I can connect 2 subs.

[@rafacq]

When did the 75db level changed? I remember some calibration DVDs from a few years ago suggested you set the speakers to 70db (at 0db master volume)?

[@Methodical2]

Cool. I haven't done this since I first setup my Denon 3805 years ago. Thanks

[@biteme263]

Man, if you haven't checked your set up in 3,800 years you should probably check it again lol. Every couple of hundred years probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

[@Methodical2]

@@biteme263 Haha!. I can see how that can be misleading to the reader.

[@CarAudioInc]

I have an idea for a video. The dos and don'ts of crossover points. What kind of slopes you like to run, thoughts on overlap/underlap, etc. Sorry if you already have a video like that.

[@Audioholics]

You mean on bass management of the system, not actual speaker design right? If the former, we usually recommend 80Hz as a starting point and sufficient for 90% of all installs.

[@anon7039]

80hz is the starting point for sub-bass because the wavelength is long enough where you cannot determine where the direction of sound is coming from - this is why subs can be put anywhere in a room without penalty as long as they are in phase with the main drivers

[@NathanBRing]

My speakers are postined in the right places and is the same distance from one to the other as it would be but the level balance are or not the same, some are -1 db then the other for instance frount right and frount left will have a 1db difference from the other.

[@SwirlingDragonMist]

Any experience with cellphone's stock built in mics, or with microphone attachments like the Rode ixy, or the Zoom iq7.

[@paulsalmon4771]

Hey Gene, thank you for the video but I have questions. I have OPPO bdp-83 and it also has calibration setting, so my question is ;do I mirror the same values on my player as well or do I only need to calibrate the pre/pro?? My second question is I have 4 15's in my theater 2 running left and 2 right off my SAE A501 so how would I calibrate each in that configuration ?? Or would I just average them out?

[@Samzep]

Hi please help i have all around the speakers 75 i have front and rear sub and have there volume control on about half way and my metre is read 60db do you advise me to turn volume up more ? I find if i turn them up more they cant handle it

[@Elricky124]

Hi Gene, do you still use an SPL meter? What is the difference between this and the Ru or REw device you mention in some other videos?

[@JohnConboy1]

Hi Guys. I recently purchased the Kef T305 speaker package along with two Kef in ceiling Atmos speakers. I have them connected to a Denon AVR-X3400H receiver. As the T2 sub that came with them doesn't have a volume control dial, I left it to Audyssey to set the sub trim which it did to -0.5db. After calibration, I used my Radioshack Digital SPL meter to make slight adjustments to get everything up to 75db, but to get the sub to hit 75db would mean increasing the sub trim to +6db which I feel maybe too high. I spoke to someone on Avforums who said I should put it back to -0.5db as per Audyessy as I would need a special SPL meter with Z weighting measuring brown noise to get an accurate measurement.Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sorry about the long winded post.

[@briguy6868]

Gene is it good to have the input level of devices set at plus 12 and have speaker levels at plus 10? Theater sounds awesome but I'm still going try audesy calibration tho to see what it comes up with

[@markjones2349]

I have a set of Logitech Z625 which are 2.1 speakers. The center detent on the bass knob seems overkill. Since I am just adjusting the bass relative to the side speakers would it be better to just play white or pink noise and use a spectrum app on my phone and adjust the knob until its flat?

[@MidnightMagic]

so i got dual subs. do i set each one to 75db? (trun one off and set the other to 75db via the gain control on the sub and vice versa) and then when both subs are set to 75db, do i turn both subs back on and set them both to output to 75db using the channel level control on the avr?

[@nitrodarrell]

My mains, centre and surrounds have been set to give 75 dB with a test tone (SPL meter set to Slow, C-weighting). I am now running a test tone into the sub. Theoretically, should that level be set so the SPL gives the same reading as with the rest of the speakers (ie 75 dB) ? When I do so, the sub still sounds damn quiet, even for film scenes which are well-known for thir LFE's....unless I turn the sub up, but then I'm not sure if it's turned up too much and it's delivering extra base which the film director doesn't intend the audience to feel.

[@corolex]

I have two subwoofers and got the bass almost flat by having the rear subwoofer at 30 and front at 43 while in the amplifier levels it is -2 and -4 respectively. There is bass but not enough feel it, and if i crank up the volume my ear gets fatigued. Should my subs have been equal volume or is it better to have a flat line?

[@pauljames1586]

Hello. Can this be done with a regular amplifier? I don’t have an AVR. Thank you.

[@TerminatorJuice]

So I just received a TrackLife SPL Meter after waiting over a week for it, and it doesn't have the C Weighted option... So should I just immediately return it for a different model if I want to calibrate my receiver to reference levels?

[@weimin3928]

Ran an SPL meter for the first time on my Yamaha Avantage RX-A8A (5.1.4). Previously, I left the job for YPAO to do. Happy to say there were only minor (1db at most) imbalances. However YPAO chose to have my subwoofer down about 8db but I am happy with the way it sounds. Would you suggest anything? Thanks!

[@msoles1000]

Hey Genie can you do a basic video on rew how to use it for a average consumer for speaker placements for better sound to a flatter response

[@msoles1000]

And to see whether auto calibration will help or make things worse

[@eriksrensen6369]

I have a question.....In the level speaker setup there is no test tone before i turn up the volume for the speaker. Audissy setup my left front speaker to -9.5 decibel. I know I have to set the speaker level to 0 decibel before testing. But should I turn up the speaker volume (white noise) ???

[@thomaswu3378]

Gene, great video, I am learning how to calibrate my system and this is perfect, thanks! But I do have a question if you don't mind, at what level should I turn to volume to with my Denon during the Test Tone broadcast? This is the part that I don't quite understand, please advise!! Thanks!!

[@mephInc]

Sweet the receiver to 0db while running your test tones. Then bump up or down each speaker individually so they are all at 75db with the test tones. This way you have lots of head room while watching content

[@Playboyer670]

After running auto calibration on my Yamaha TSR 700 I used sound level meter C weighting and SLOW setting and found that all my speakers were 70db. I decided to adjust from there raised volume to 0db and raised speaker levels until speakers were at 75db. Thing is, now alot of my speakers are +dB. Some at +1.5dB and others as high as +5.5dB and +6dB. Is this okay?

[@oscartirado8146]

Do I still need to do this calibration if I'm running a 2.0 setup? I have two Klipsch RP-280Fs and may add a sub in the future.

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

Hey guys I'm getting back into surround sound and curious where I can find the GRAMMY or SMPTE specifications for 5.1 placement and calibration. I couldn't find much good info.

[@maze400]

Room EQ corrects timing of the sound waives so they arrive at a designated spot at the same time. The SPL lets you level out and balance those waves. I have the Onkyo NR7100, I have run the Dirac live for room correction and SPL levels... Question, on the Onkyo when running the pink noise levels the amp sets the volume to 82db's I assume this is the zero reference level you mentioned? I never listen to movies above 65db's and TV at 50-55db's, should I run the SPL at my listening volume or the reference volume?

[@Tearsinrain87]

hi, shouldn't the subwoofer be set on the sound level meter 3 db less than the speakers for a flat response? thank you

[@kenestra123]

On my Sony STR-DH750 when I start the test tone my Radio Shack SPL meter(C-weighting,slow response settings)doesn’t even budge the needle. I have to turn up the master volume to about 30 to even be able to start adjusting g any of the speaker levels,which are now about 8.0 from 0 setting. Is this correct?

[@Jeschitown]

I have a dumb question ok so on the spl reading was reading 75db, but how does that number convert to what you should enter in the reciever? I ask because his said 4.5db how to I convert this?

[@badboygto]

i do that with the center also like to bump up the backs abit i have a pioneer sclx87...mine seems drop db at fronts though bumping the backs up ...more for music why i do that ...im using android app at the minute for spl will order a proper one

[@luluanwar1002]

I have HTR-2071 before I go into speaker level settings. volume on AV should be set to 0 or -.? i encountered a problem when i set the volume in AV to 0. SPL reads 85db higher. and I proceed to setting the speaker level. to reach 75db. i had to lower it all the way to -10db and it still wasn't enough. thanks for the reply🙏

[@steve4321able]

My speaker levels can be set into the minus levels and if I go to -10 it turns the volume so low I can't hear it. My receiver has regular numbers for volume. What should I set the 2 front speaker levels to? Is it better to have the speaker levels low and crank up master volume to 30 OR increase my speaker levels and use the master volume at 15? I don't want to strain the receiver. The minus numbers mean low volume on my speakers. I'm running 2 channel system.

[@douglasberry9168]

When I checked my levels they were indeed off. The sub woofer is what I concerned about. When checking Denon internal tones with a Rat-Shack meter. They are supposed to be about 7db's off? I level matched all other speakes to 75db and the sub about 68db when I measured it. If you add 7db it puts in line with all the others. Am I correct? ( I'm running two SVS 20-39's)

[@michaelbested123456]

My Denon X7200WA does not automatically play at 0db when I start the test tones. I guess I should manually set receiver to 0db before I start the pink noise?

[@Musicman369]

Question Gene, Hugo, I did auto Ypao,, it set my fronts to Large, it set my bass @ -10db... ? I went in Manually changed to small fronts 60hrz,, raised bass to +5.0db? What's your thoughts ?

[@bsiccs]

Never knew you use pink noise to setup speakers. 🧐 I assumed something like a sin wave tone would work. 🤣 Thanks!

[@waynepollard6879]

Gene , have same meter . I have a fiberoptic cable going from a (skystream one box) like a roku box ,into a Yamaha HTR 5140 digital receiver . My receiver does not show digital mode like it does when playing a DVD . Dear sir ! What am I doing wrong ? Help ! Thanks for your videos !

[@thepiecesfit5049]

This video is a bit old so there is probably something new. But if you run Audyssey on your system you should not use the internal test tones to check levels after. If you do know that the filters are disabled so it kind of defeats the purpose. If you want to correctly check your levels you need to use another source connected to your receiver. The easiest way is to use REW set up with ASIO4ALL which can send the tones to each individual channel. Just make sure you set it to -30 dBFS which will give you 75dB at 0.

[@luciusblackwood2640]

I use a free app on my phone that measures sound levels. I'm not sure how accurate the numbers are but I figured it didn't really matter as long as the reading is consistent for balancing. Then again maybe it doesn't do as well measuring low vs. high frequencies. Ever tested an app?

[@pabloosvaldopenizzotto1098]

I Gene. I do have the same SLM as you. i have used it to adjust channel levels for my Denon AVR 1611, but not also for this purpose only. in fact I am trying to do manual Eq. Of my system. What weighting curve you would use for manual Eq.? A is the one that, let say copy the human ear response curve (as far as I know), and therefore is used for noise measure in working place environments. Do you think that it is good to do the measurements for system Eq. Instead of using C weighting? I look forward for your comments. Thank you in advance!!!

[@vansonmafeet734]

I am using an SPL meter using C weighting, 60-90dB level and slow response. With the volume on the receiver set to Zero I can trim the level all the way up on each speaker and the SPL meter shows no value change. Nothing registers. If I switch to 40-70dB the meter does respond and indicates value changing. What am I doing wrong?

[@Steve-nu9op]

i have an Onkyo HTR680, when i use its pink noise, i get one reading. when i use JL Audios pink noise (off their site), i get different readings, the subs volume is way off. the sub ends up sounding way louder when using Onkyos pink noise. any thoughts? im using the digital version of that RadioShack meter, C weighted, slow