How to use SPL meter to calibrate HOME THEATER

[@thomaswu3378]

Corey, thanks for the video. You are the ONLY person that actually shows on screen the steps to do it, everyone else just talked about it and there's nothing on screen to see. Also, you are the only one that tells the viewers how much you turned up the volume for the Test Tone, no else does that. Why?? That's a crucial part of the whole calibration, personally, I would turn it up even more (you said -20db, but I would at least go up to -15db; not sure if that makes any difference, it's just my preference). Anyway, great details and thanks!!

[@coreyskinner]

Thomas you are so welcome man. Ya you could totally go to -15 that's fine. Please subscribe more videos coming!

[@wazup3333]

this makes no sense, what should volume be on the receiver when calibrating every speaker to 75 db

[@coreyskinner]

0 preferrably

[@wazup3333]

@@coreyskinner if it's on 0 there's no volume on the absolute volume scale

[@MrArjanOskam]

Mine just goes from 0 to 100, no db reading. At what level should I set it?

[@anandshah71]

I have been exploring so many videos in homenthestere and sound this video topic no one has ever talked on So important Thanks man

[@coreyskinner]

Thank you so much Anand! I really appreciate it I hope it helps.

[@VinceVega303]

Thank you for this no-nonsense, helpful video!

[@coreyskinner]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Foreverjazzfan]

Need to remember to raise the AVR volume to 0 which is reference level. Then you can run your pink noise and adjust to 75DB. I raise my center channel 2db hot and my height channels the same for atmos.

[@coreyskinner]

yes i also add a few to my height and center channels

[@VandergriftMoefies]

Awesome vid! One thing I was wondering about is what do you have your gain set to on the back of the sub itself? 50% or something else?!

[@ibrahimjimmy6057]

Instablaster...

[@coreyskinner]

yes 50%

[@JC-bl9bo]

Great video, I thought you set the receiver to 0/reference to do the test?

[@coreyskinner]

Ya but it was wayyyyy to loud for me. Had to adjust for that.

[@MC-jb9uf]

Hi My front height speakers were pretty faint. I had to bump them up to + 9.0dB to hear the Atmos effects. Wondering if you experienced the same. Thanks for the vid!

[@coreyskinner]

Yes I think mine are bumped up about 4 or 5 db as well.

[@davidj.martin948]

What happens to your speakers Delay when Audyssey set your speakers DISTANCES which determines the DELAY and then you go in with the SPL and undo it by putting you own Speaker levels Thank You

[@coreyskinner]

I don't have Audyssey because I have a Yamaha so I have Yapao which is garbage.

[@lfmudge8030]

I know this is an old video and people probably said the same thing that you’re meter should be pointed to the front /screen not up in the air as other people said your volume on your Yamaha should be set to 0 -20 is not reference and then you adjust speakers to 75db

[@coreyskinner]

@@lfmudge8030 ya 0 made the sound incredibly too loud

[@thierrygermain1089]

why set the master volume at -20 and not -0 db since -0db should be the actual reference level? I have been doing much research about this and so far i agree with everything you've explained and my only confusing point is how do we know where to set master volume before measuring?

[@coreyskinner]

So I tried to set the master volume to 0 but it was so freaking loud it was very hard to run the test. Even turned down my gain to everything and it was super loud. So I put my front left speaker gain to "0" and then turned it up until I hit 75db which was -20. So I used that as my speaker calibration to equal all of them out.

[@thierrygermain1089]

@@coreyskinner I tried it and results are pretty good, I have the Yamaha rxa3070 paired with with an outlaw 7000X ran ypao first and then measured everything myself omg ypao sucks lol I also am now using direct crossover to subwoofers. Thanks using the SPL meter was the best thing ever

[@coreyskinner]

Nice! Ya my YPAO was pretty off as well. Thanks for watching!

[@MC-jb9uf]

Great video. Did you run the YPAO first & then change the levels using the SPL meter? Thank You

[@thierrygermain1089]

@@MC-jb9uf i did, just to get things started. And worked on listening distances, all channels speaker sizes my set up is (movies all channels set to small and 65 Hz with the center channel up a few dbz higher) and running subs frequency direct, music listening i run LR. Full range with no subs. Before doing all this u need to know where to start the actual reference level just like @corey skinner subgested.

[@leecaldwell1029]

what should the master volume be set at? That has always confused me

[@coreyskinner]

Well.....some people say 0 if you are using the (-) system of volume, but when I did this it was wayyyy too loud so I had to turn mine down.

[@tomelew8465]

Thank you!

[@coreyskinner]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching! Please subscribe more videos to come!

[@Covarrubian]

Hi Corey, first of all, great video! I have a quick question, I have a smasung q990c, and it doesnt show the volume level in db, can I set it to any reasonable volume level and just make all the speakers to sound at the same db level, disregarding the 75db mark?

[@coreyskinner]

thank you! So if your receiver doesn't show the the level in db it might be an older version. Yes you can adjust the level to a reasonable level but you can still use the 75db mark with a meter. If its too loud then turn the volume down but make sure all the speakers are the same.

[@ShaileshPatel-le8cq]

Plz make calibration video on Yamaha AVR. What is Volume trim functions ND effect of the same. In small room on 0 pink noise (Master volume) spl meter go more than 75 dB so Pl suggest what to do. If I reduced level up to minus 10 as it is max than also level goes more than 75 dB so in this case what to do. Namaste 🙏

[@coreyskinner]

I have a video on using the miniDSP with my Yamaha AVR. Your pink noise should fluctuate with your volume control. So if all speakers are at 75db then great!

[@Ibhenriksen]

0db is better for master volume so it drains out all other noises unless you have a well acoustic room, then -20db is ok.

[@coreyskinner]

nice

[@KrakPoT13]

Thank you for this Corey. I followed your instructions exactly and my measurements were really low with my AVR set to -20db. Base readings were 60ish. I had to raise the DB levels on my FL, FR, and C by about 10.5 DB. I feel like this is bad for my speakers, but it was the only way I could get a ~75 base reading. Can you comment on this? I am new and worried this may hurt my speakers. Thank you.

[@coreyskinner]

Sorry for the delayed response, Its ok to increase the levels on the FL, FR and C to reach the 75db thats now you caliberate the theater. You can still adjust them a little more once you watch a movie, but thats how its done. If your speakers are set correct usually on "small" then you will have no problem. Good job!

[@laurencepardi6577]

After running Audyssey, my measurements were just like yours. Corey's response didn't provide any insight into why the low measurements. Did you get any more helpful info? What did you end up doing?

[@KrakPoT13]

@@laurencepardi6577 I just kept the numbers the same honestly, haven't played around with them since and everything has been great.

[@ice2hotlord]

Question Why do you use C weighted and not A weighted . I see alot of calibraters using A Weighted. I see that C weighted is more sensitive.

[@coreyskinner]

Well it’s because of the level of decibels we are trying to pick up. Around the 70 range. A weighted filters out low frequency which we want to hear and pick up

[@armandoperez6601]

¿At what level do you recommend i should set the master volume on my reciver?

[@coreyskinner]

Depends, some say 0 but for me that was way too loud. I think I set mine to -20

[@waynegram8907]

Corey Skinner, setting very speakers db level to have an SPL at 75dbc is the concept. But why use SPL and not use a dB meter? I don't understand why using SPL to measure the dB level from a speaker

[@coreyskinner]

Same thing. You could use either just make sure its measuring C weighted db.

[@waynegram8907]

@@coreyskinner Guitar amp Speaker cabinets have 2 or 4 speakers. How can I measure the SPL of each speaker when they are all outputting at the same time? I would need to use some type of wood to block the other speakers while trying to measure the SPL or dB of each speaker one by one? Because on the back of the speaker it will say 25watts but I want to measure the SPL and dB out of each speaker one by one, how can I do this?

[@troyd.521]

Shouldn’t the master volume be set at whatever db level you’re setting all tye speakers at? So master at 75, then adjust gain on each speaker until 75 is achieved?

[@coreyskinner]

No you wanna set master volume to zero if you can then run the pink noise test at 75db for all speakers

[@troyd.521]

@@coreyskinner with my master volume at 0 the gain won’t go high enough to achieve 75 db on the meter from any of the speakers.

[@tech4life884]

A weighted is for speakers and C weighted is for Subwoofers. C weighted is for BASS issues only. A weighted is used for all speakers But Subwoofers.

[@coreyskinner]

thanks for watching

[@ShaileshPatel-le8cq]

Good video. I m using Yamaha HTR 3072 AVR. Pl suggest what Master Volume I should set on AVR while using SPL Meter for DB Level. If i set MV 0 than there is no sound and it dose not show any effect on SPL Meter. If i set MV 70 db than only SPL Meter start reading. Pl reply.

[@coreyskinner]

Thanks for watching. Most people recommend setting your master volume to 0db which is extremely loud.

[@coreyskinner]

0 at reference level that is

[@Cristianino87]

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

[@coreyskinner]

technically is subjective. Whatever sounds best to you. I had them all the same

[@dannyr2272]

My receiver is Onkyo and volume is from 0 to 100 at volume so what should I have it at for measurements ?

[@coreyskinner]

Ya thats the old school way of having volume now its with the negative numbers. I forget the terminology regarding it.

[@elvisp2684]

Yup should bump up the Dolby Atmos speakers 2-4 decibels

[@coreyskinner]

Ya I continually play with the levels of the atmos speakers.

[@elvisp2684]

@@coreyskinner Yea but like I said. Your atmos speakers should be 2-4 dbs above your base layer speakers because you won’t really hear that much from the atmos speakers if they are at the same levels as your other speakers. So professionals recommends to bump up the atmos speakers 2-4 dbs above your other speakers.

[@brenttitus2134]

This is good but you did not say anything about volume level when setting the gains? 25% then set gains etc?!? Phone apps work good to. I use Decibel X on my iPhone.

[@coreyskinner]

50%

[@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🙏

[@coreyskinner]

yep. You are welcome.

[@mnormansell1984]

I tried this for my Yamaha Rx-V585, the spl mater was a app on my s21 uktra (i know a proper meter would be better) but if i set my master volume to 0db, once i start the pink noise test, i have to minus every speaker to -10 (lowest value) ans that gives me a reading of 90db!!!! I have slow reading and wighting set to C type, not sure what im doing wrong.

[@coreyskinner]

hmmm ya maybe the meter is on the wrong setting

[@patrick7799]

Hello when I listen to the incubus song just a phase on my stereo speakers the mid sound is 30 decibels and the bass sound is 60 decibels Corey Skinner is the sound like that with your stereo speakers

[@coreyskinner]

Not sure what you mean

[@cab4u1969]

I have a Rotel RSX-1056. The master volume only displays a 1 thru 100 volume level. No decibel display. checked out a lot of videos calibrating with spl meter and most folks say set master volume to 0.00 decibels and then do the pink noise calibration. question is what volume level on my Rotel is equivalent to 0.00 decibels. thanks.

[@coreyskinner]

Yea you can depending on the receiver you either have the db volume or the 1-100 volume. I am actually not sure what volume equals 0db on yours. I simply could not set my volume to 0db because it was beyond loud. Like blowing my speakers loud. I had to lower it.

[@loulocs]

My Sony receiver only test tones the speakers in a sequence pattern, not individually. So how do I test each speaker independently?

[@coreyskinner]

hmm thats odd. There must be a test tone that cycles through all speakers.

[@loulocs]

@@coreyskinner yes it does but if I increase/decrease the volume during the test sound of 1 speaker, all 5 speakers do the same.

[@coreyskinner]

well exactly you have to go to your settings to adjust just the individual speakers one by one.

[@giannibrocke8531]

Moin Moin Entschuldigt bitte die frage, aber irgendwie versteh ich das mit dem Nachträglichen einstellen der LS noch nicht so ganz beziehungsweise verwirrt es mich etwas. Ich bin jetzt so vorgegangen und hoffe das es so richtig ist. 1) Eingemessenen wurde mit Audyssey EQ App Ergebnisse der einmessung FL: -0,5dB FR: -1dB C: -2dB SR L: +2dB SR R: +2dB Sub: -7db 2) Eingangspegel mit (Rosa Rauschen) u. einem SPL-Meter von Amazon wurden die LS und Sub auf ca. 80dB eingestellt. Ich habe den Lautstärkenregler am AVR auf 0dB gestellt und habe dann anfangen mit dem Rosa rauschen, die LS auf die ca. 80dB zu stellen, angefangen mit dem lautesten LS Das sind die Ergebnisse die, die LS jetzt auf ca. 80dB haben FL: +6dB FR: +6dB C: +7dB SR L: +6,5dB SR R: +6,5dB Sub: +-0dB 3) Der Kanalpegel ist am TV für Netflix Amazon & Co. nachträglich angepasst worden. FL: +-0dB FR: +-0dB C: +2dB SR L: -1dB SR R: -1dB Sub: +-0db Filme schaue ich bei einer Lautstärke am AVR mit Max -30 bis -45dB und ich kann mich nicht beklagen. -80dB ist natürlich Stumm 4) Dynamic EQ ist: AN Dynamic Volume ist: Aus Offset ist: Aus Mittelkompression ist: Aus 5) Der Subvolume, steht auf 9-10Uhr am Subwoofer. Ist das jetzt so richtig, oder habe ich da was falsch gemacht ??

[@coreyskinner]

Thanks for watching!

[@Victor-i4g4u]

Why are dbs different from all speakers?

[@coreyskinner]

What do you mean?

[@Victor-i4g4u]

@@coreyskinner the numbers are different for your speakers,

[@Squishmallows24]

I bought one of these SPL meters but it doesn’t have a setting to set a range. Online it’s recommended to either set the range on the SPL meter to 70 or 80.

[@coreyskinner]

I don't have a setting to set the range either you just look at what the level is when its pink noise

[@ShaileshPatel-le8cq]

Sir what volume i set on AVR while using SPL Meter. On 0 value there is no sound. Pl reply. I set abv 50 than only SPL Android meter shows result. Pl reply.

[@coreyskinner]

You have to set your sound to reference volume. I watch tv at -46db.

[@Kev-O33]

what should the meter read per speaker?

[@coreyskinner]

75db per speaker

[@Kev-O33]

@@coreyskinner and the reciever volume when testing? how loud should that be at?

[@tite732]

Volume set at 0 but I don’t hear any pink noise. I changed the reference on Avr. I’m confused here. Help

[@coreyskinner]

Not sure what you are missing. Did you hit the test tone button?

[@tite732]

@@coreyskinner I figured it out. I had to turn the volume to zero with the remote and the pink noise got louder. It was confusing me because the receiver was already set at 0. Thanks for the vid and quick reply

[@coreyskinner]

Perfect! No problem.

[@SteveMagr]

It all happens here 6:00

[@coreyskinner]

lol

[@yuki-zl8cl]

master volume shout be 0?

[@coreyskinner]

yes

[@Playboyer670]

You have Hi/Lo and also F/S. What should I use? Low an Slow.

[@coreyskinner]

yes

[@the_maxx31]

I have a Pioneer ELITE SX-S30 that’s a 2.1 system. The volume meter is set in a standard way (0 to 30 I guess) it doesn’t show the decibel units. So, in what master volume number I have to set it before I calibrate it? Also, is it the same to calibrate like this in a 2.1 system as in a 5.1 system? Thanks!

[@coreyskinner]

Alot of people will say set your volume to 30 and then set all speakers to 75db but I didn't. That would probably be too loud. I not really familiar with the 0-30 volumes. And yes you run this the same way on a 2.1 as a 5.1. I have a 7.1 and I ran it this way. All my speakers are outputting 75db at my listening position. Except my subs are 3-4db higher like around 79db. Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe to my channel please. More videos to come!

[@the_maxx31]

@@coreyskinner thanks for the response! Already subscribed! Ok, so I’m other words I should set the master volume to a “tolerable loud” volume? As in 18? (18 normally is the most loud I set when watching movies).

[@coreyskinner]

@@the_maxx31 yes that’s what I would do.

[@bendeco]

I thought at the end there you were going to vape out of it

[@coreyskinner]

vape?

[@muhammadmutakabir]

Why -74 to -75db.

[@coreyskinner]

That's the home theater "standard."

[@mikemmikem2758]

You are so wrong about using a SPL meter - especially not using a tripod.

[@coreyskinner]

Sure a tripod would be nice but it's not going to affect it that much.

[@petervang8589]

Too much talking

[@coreyskinner]

Sorry, Thanks for watching.

[@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?

[@coreyskinner]

Ya I think its ok. You just don't want to have 1 speaker at 10+db and another one at 2+

[@davidj.martin948]

@@coreyskinner Same thing happen to me i had Audyssey set them and all were like -but after using SPL and setting AVR at 0.0 all my speakers are like +3.5 and one at +5 Remember it has to so also with how far away you are sitting from your speakers and how back your surrounds are from your listening area . If your speakers are closer to you then your numbers would be in the NEGATIVE range

[@coreyskinner]

yep nothing wrong with your numbers to be in the negative at all these are just trim adjustments to volume

[@Playboyer670]

Shouldn't master volume be at 0db?

[@coreyskinner]

yes theoretically but when I put my master at 0 my volume was so high it hurt my ears haha