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.

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

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 👌

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Excellent advice been doing this for 20 years.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ok dumb question... my system starts the test tone start at 42 volume so I’d have to turn the DBs on the speakers up to 12db to get anywhere near 75db. Question is, what’s the starting volume to start with before I put the meter to it?

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

Please upload more videos about audio calibration...

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

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

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)?

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.

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

The Radioshack manual states "The meter’s built-in microphone works best when you point it directly at a sound source." and "For the most accurate readings and the best polar response, point the meter’s microphone toward the sound source when possible.". That's obviously relevant when the goal is absolute accuracy in the case of a single source. For a traditional 5.x.0 system, pointing it at the ceiling makes the most sense. However, what about an Atmos system ? Surely the Atmos speakers would read too high relative to the ear level speakers.

Thank you for making this video. Very helpful.

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.

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.

I like this format of your videos much better.

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

I’ve been using my SPL meter since my prologic days..

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

Great video! One question, I tried to calibrate my Yamaha Home Theatre System with a SPL Meter at 75. What should be the volume on the receiver or main knob?

I disagree with setting all channel levels evenly. Yes we all want a good balance especially in a 7.x.x surround system . Obviously this comes down to preference so there is no right or wrong , but I much prefer my LRC to be between 2.5 and 3db higher than surrounds.....thanks for the video sir . I use a Dirac 8 channel processor and even with a calibrated mic , I got my meter out of the drawer -set all my inputs to 0db and using the c weighted meter , tweaked the mixer level adjust in Dirac software to within .2 or .3 of my preference .. very very balanced soundstage and obviously with Dirac you get the benefit of mixed phase and Impulse response filters that dramatically address any speaker or room problems - especially in movie dialog coherence .

"Levels changed by the cleaning lady" that's a funny name for your wife

I have the REED SPL. It has a level option that says "Hi/Lo". Do I keep it at high or low? REED 8050

Awesome, thanks for the run down very clear.

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

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.

Great video, Gene! Audyssey and YPAO are great for adjusting tonal curves, but they are both horrible at getting levels correct. The information contained here is ESSENTIAL in getting the most from your equipment.

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

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👌

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

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

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.

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.

When I tried using a SPL for the subwoofer, at reference levels the sub was insanely loud. I just use the volume control on the back and don't balance it in the AVR

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?

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

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

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.

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”)

Is 80 db setting the official thx setting or 70 db is just better all around

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?

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

Question: At 6:14 you lowered the master volume level. Shouldn't you have lowered the trim on the speaker you were testing till 75db? If you lowered the master volume wouldn't that make it 75db at whatever you lowered it to?

I used an SPL app on my iPhone, just to give it a try (it was .99 cents). I set the range to 70, C weight, and slow response. I had my speakers at +12DB (most I could go) and they were only reaching 56DB on my meter. Do I need to do something with my volume? Or is the meter app just not that good and off that much?

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.

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 .

Thank you for a nice, useful video!

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?

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

How high the master volume should be before I start testing?

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

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!

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

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...

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

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?

Thanks!

What do u put the volume of the TV to do this test?

What about using your phone for spl

You forgot to specify what should the AVR master volume be set at before starting the test tones for each speaker?

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

Hi, When it gets to the subwoofer, the meter really does get shaky. It never really stays on 75. What's best? Between 74db and 76db, or 75 and 77db?

thanks for video I have Denon 2400 I try to use the equalize but don't let me , i try many way .... can you please help me

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!

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?

Great video! For those of us that does not have an analogue SPL Meter device, can we use an SPL app via mobile phone or is it just crap?

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?

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

Audioholics, how do you calibrate a speaker cabinet that has 2 or 4 speakers in one speaker cabinet for audio? because each speaker can have a different SPI level so how to you set each speakers SPL level.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's onto those pesky cleaning ladies.... Great video as usual!

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?

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?

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) ???

But what are you raising the avr volume to while testing the speakers

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.

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

Love your vids and reviews. Im trying to set my db levels for 7.2.2 Atmos I have set up with Marantz Sr 7012. When db is ser up for each speaker playing through test stone, what do I do with normal volume? When I turn up volume, my SPL meter obviously reads it louder so I am confused on that.