Who Has an SPL Calibrated System?

[JSE]

Well JSE, I must be a FREAKIN IDIOT LOSER. I did not want to get into this since I think it is up to the individual to choose his or her method of calibration. I did calibrate with what I consider the PAIN IN THE ASS RS analogue meter and I did not like the results against my own method of calibration. The question I place here is WHAT IS A TRUE BALANCED SYSTEM.

I noted over the years of reading reports on the testing of stereo receivers, int. amps. and separates that there was almost always a slight difference in output between two channels tested mainly because even though the parts used to make each channel were identicical in label, certain parts can vary in their measurements. In those test reports, I might see one channel measured at 100.4 watts and another at 100.8 watts. At that point of testing the volume control offers 0 resistance(the volume control is fully clockwise). But volume controls have a habit of not containing a consistant differential as resistance is added meaning turning the volume down. So for example, at 75% down on the volume, your watts could possibly read 25.1 and 25.2. Sounds like it should be balanced. Nope! It would only be balanced if the channels kept a .4 difference in watts through the entire spectrum of lowering the volume control. You would need a test tone and vtvm meter to make sure that occurred. You would also need the elmination of the balance control. In its place should either be concentric twin volume controls that are round which use to be found on units from Lafayette Electronics years ago or slider volume controls for each channel that used to be found on older Radio Shack equipment. It would be better still to have a circuit that would tell you when your electrical balance was maintained. Go into any high end store and where they have separates with a power amp with a meter display and volume controls on the channels, I think you would find that the only time the power amp delivered proper sound was only when the volume controls were fully clockwise(opened). Deviate from that and you find on different settings that you think are balanced that the sound from the power amp becomes raunchy. When I calibrate my receiver, I do something "close" to what I have described here. It is my feeling at that point that the unit begins to sound more like something one hears in a theater. KELSCI

Hey Kelsci,

I was being a little sarcastic. I don't really think that. I was just giving a little jab to some folks. Definitely not you. Truth be told, as long as someone's happy with their system, that's all that counts.

Have a great one!

JSE

[kelsci]

Hey Kelsci,

I was being a little sarcastic. I don't really think that. I was just giving a little jab to some folks. Definitely not you. Truth be told, as long as someone's happy with their system, that's all that counts.

Have a great one!

JSE

JSE; Eh... What's a little sarcasm once in a while. I am satisfied with my methods of calibration. I wish I had volume controls that were concentric or sliders as mentioned in my post. I will not ever give bulldinky to my fellow compatriots on this board. Things that I have run across have come from experimentation that I have performed over many years.
JSE; have a great one too. Kelsci.

[JSE]

JSE; Eh... What's a little sarcasm once in a while. I am satisfied with my methods of calibration. I wish I had volume controls that were concentric or sliders as mentioned in my post. I will not ever give bulldinky to my fellow compatriots on this board. Things that I have run across have come from experimentation that I have performed over many years.
JSE; have a great one too. Kelsci.

Hey Kelsci,

You mentioned the YPAO. I previously calibrated my older system with an SPL meter and I think I did a pretty good job. About 5 months ago I bought the Yamaha RX-V1400 with the YPAO. I have since calibrated my system with both methods and I really cannot tell the difference. Granted it's impossible for me to do DBT on this but both methods seem to have produced similiar results. With YPAO, I made a couple of very minor tweaks to the auto settings and the system sounds awesome. The YPAO kept setting my mains to large and I liked the small setting better. In fairness, my mains are large Boston VR965s. However, they have builts in subs which are run seperately through the LFE which basically would leave a "small" speaker to be used as mains. Hope that makes sense? This seems to have tricked the YPAO a bit. The sound is good with the mains set at large, but the small setting is just better. One nice thing about YPAO is that it took about 15 minutes start to finish to calibrate my system. Not bad? I have been tempted to sell my SPL meter but I will likely keep it for possible future use. You never know.

Anyway, just thought I would relay my experiences with YPAO.


JSE

[wasch_24]

I don't own an SPL meter but I do own the Yamaha RX-V1400 and have run the YPAO function. If that counts for calibration then let me know, I wasn't sure so I haven't voted yet. BTW my sytem was very dissapointing before running the YPAO.

JSE, As you know I too have the VR-965's connected to the 1400. Off the top of your head, can you remeber what position you have the knob in for the powered woofers? I have mine at about the Nine-o'clock position, which I guess is about 1/4 of the way up. The reason is that the YPAO on the 1400 kept saying the sub level was too loud and it says the sub is about four or five feet further from the mains, which is obviusly impossible since they are in the same cabinet. It sounds good, I just want to see if you are getting similar results.

[kpzbee]

I to have the YPAO feature on my RX-V750. It does make a big difference than when I took it out of the box. I changed rear surround speakers over the weekend & ran the YPAO several times, with slightly different mic placments & what the mic was setting on. It makes a difference if the mic is on something hard, (table) vs something soft (couch cushion). It altered my sub setting the most. Not only is it the level but there is more to it than I can describe. At the same db & volume level, the speaker or sub can be louder or softer. I'm going to keep playing with it until I can understand it better. I am really happy with this purchase. It has a great sound for HT which I use the most.

[JSE]

I don't own an SPL meter but I do own the Yamaha RX-V1400 and have run the YPAO function. If that counts for calibration then let me know, I wasn't sure so I haven't voted yet. BTW my sytem was very dissapointing before running the YPAO.

JSE, As you know I too have the VR-965's connected to the 1400. Off the top of your head, can you remeber what position you have the knob in for the powered woofers? I have mine at about the Nine-o'clock position, which I guess is about 1/4 of the way up. The reason is that the YPAO on the 1400 kept saying the sub level was too loud and it says the sub is about four or five feet further from the mains, which is obviusly impossible since they are in the same cabinet. It sounds good, I just want to see if you are getting similar results.

Yep, I had pretty much the same issue with the subs. The only thing I can think of is that the subs are side and the sound is coming at the mic from two different directions. Maybe this causes the receiver to think they are farther apart than they are?

Bye the way, I also have my sub control knob at about 9 O'clock. Anything more than that and the bass become way to much. Even a slight turn of the knob drastically changes things.

Did your YPAO set the mains to large. Mine did but I definitely prefer the small setting. The large setting is not bad, the small setting is just even better.

JSE

[wasch_24]

That just goes to show different strokes for different folks. The YPAO did pick them up as large as well. I have the LFE output to 'Both'. Maybe that is why I prefer the large setting. Set up as both I was still getting LFE from the woofers with the LFE input disconnected. I think the internal crossover was changing the frequency range being used from the L and R main outs on the receiver. It seems to compliment the LFE output from the receiver. Also, I recently built a built-in entertainment center and created a sort of sealed box around the mains and it really improved the LFE from these speakers. If I ever get around to it I will post some pics.

[JSE]

That just goes to show different strokes for different folks. The YPAO did pick them up as large as well. I have the LFE output to 'Both'. Maybe that is why I prefer the large setting. Set up as both I was still getting LFE from the woofers with the LFE input disconnected. I think the internal crossover was changing the frequency range being used from the L and R main outs on the receiver. It seems to compliment the LFE output from the receiver. Also, I recently built a built-in entertainment center and created a sort of sealed box around the mains and it really improved the LFE from these speakers. If I ever get around to it I will post some pics.

I also have the LFE set to both but I still prefer the small setting. In contrast to your set up, there is alot of open air to the side of my mains and I have them about 2 1/2 to 3 feet out from the back walls. The large setting tends to muddy up the bass a little in my room.

Pretty cool how basically indentical set ups can behave so differently in different rooms. Post some picks of your custom cabinet when you get the chance. Always cool to see other people's custom woodwork.

JSE

[kelsci]

Hey Kelsci,

You mentioned the YPAO. I previously calibrated my older system with an SPL meter and I think I did a pretty good job. About 5 months ago I bought the Yamaha RX-V1400 with the YPAO. I have since calibrated my system with both methods and I really cannot tell the difference. Granted it's impossible for me to do DBT on this but both methods seem to have produced similiar results. With YPAO, I made a couple of very minor tweaks to the auto settings and the system sounds awesome. The YPAO kept setting my mains to large and I liked the small setting better. In fairness, my mains are large Boston VR965s. However, they have builts in subs which are run seperately through the LFE which basically would leave a "small" speaker to be used as mains. Hope that makes sense? This seems to have tricked the YPAO a bit. The sound is good with the mains set at large, but the small setting is just better. One nice thing about YPAO is that it took about 15 minutes start to finish to calibrate my system. Not bad? I have been tempted to sell my SPL meter but I will likely keep it for possible future use. You never know.

Anyway, just thought I would relay my experiences with YPAO.


JSE

JSE; Thank you for relaying your experience with the YPAO. It is very possible that YPAO is capable of detecting my findings on my own experiments and compensating for this voltage variance in its programming. Perhaps that is one of the reasons it is working so well for many. I would be a fool to say that programs such as YPAO, MCACC or any other similar type of set-up program of good quality should not be part of a receiver's make-up. I think eventurally, all units made will include some form of YPAO or the like. It is damm sure much more convenient to use than the RS meter. In fact, it is most likely a chip with a very explicit set of instructions and therefore it in itself is a computer. I expect these new programs to even improve over time. Kelsci.

[JSE]

JSE; Thank you for relaying your experience with the YPAO. It is very possible that YPAO is capable of detecting my findings on my own experiments and compensating for this voltage variance in its programming. Perhaps that is one of the reasons it is working so well for many. I would be a fool to say that programs such as YPAO, MCACC or any other similar type of set-up program of good quality should not be part of a receiver's make-up. I think eventurally, all units made will include some form of YPAO or the like. It is damm sure much more convenient to use than the RS meter. In fact, it is most likely a chip with a very explicit set of instructions and therefore it in itself is a computer. I expect these new programs to even improve over time. Kelsci.

I bet it does get better as the technology matures in terms of auto calibration. To me, any receiver coming out over $500 to $600 , should have some sort of auto calibration. Even in it's current form, it provides better sound for anyone who uses it. I can't think of any downsides for the average consumer.

Anyway, have a good one.

JSE