Manually setting Speaker Levels????

[jvenard]

Ok, when you want to check you speaker levels, what should the volume control be at?

On my Lexicon MC12, it makes not difference where the volume is, it will pump out a tone that can be adjusted to 75db. I have noticed on the Umc1 if you have your volume set to "65" on the volume control, the sound levels are WAY to high but if you have it set to "55" it is about right.

What corralation does the numbers on the volume control have to finding 0db or 75db playback?

[ratmice]

The test tones are volume dependent. That means that in order to set levels you must adjust the main volume of the UMC-1 for the first (typically the FL) speaker so that you get a reading of 75 dB. Then you can use the test tones to trim all the other speakers to match the same output level (75 dB).

[RSavage]

Use the knob on the UMC rather than the remote to adjust initial level. The remote will drop you out of your setup menu.....the knob won't.

R

[dropzone7]

Apr 14, 2010 10:28:19 GMT -5 RSavage said:

Use the knob on the UMC rather than the remote to adjust initial level. The remote will drop you out of your setup menu.....the knob won't.

R

Yep, I found that out. Very irritating.

[markus]

To do it "right", the procedure should be as follows:

a) Place a SPL meter at the listening position where normally your head would be, set it to C-weighting and "slow"
b) Turn the gain control on your amps down all the way
c) Set the UMC volume to a value that you want to be your reference level
d) On the UMC-1 go to Main Menu > Setup > Speaker Setup > Level Calibration
e) Slowly turn up the amp gain for the first loudspeaker until the SPL meter reads 75dBC SPL; switch to next channel with the UMC-1 cursor keys and repeat for every speaker

Best, Markus

[threxx]

I've found the speaker level test to be far far louder than the content I was playing at that same volume level. If I have a song or blu-ray at a comfortable/normal listening volume and I switch to the speaker test, it just about blows me out of my chair.

For a while there I couldn't remember from the main menu which option would take me to the test and which one would take me to the crossover settings, so even if I wanted to get to the crossover settings, I'd turn the volume way down just in case I selected the wrong one.

[markus]

Something's wrong with the test signal depending on the UMC's volume setting. When calibrating speakers as described in my last post, I had to initially set the UMC to 30 for the test signals not being too loud. After calibaration the subwoofer is way too loud and 30 is nowhere near reference level.

[jvenard]

Apr 14, 2010 11:20:53 GMT -5 @markus said:

To do it "right", the procedure should be as follows:

a) Place a SPL meter at the listening position where normally your head would be, set it to C-weighting and "slow"
b) Turn the gain control on your amps down all the way
c) Set the UMC volume to a value that you want to be your reference level
d) On the UMC-1 go to Main Menu > Setup > Speaker Setup > Level Calibration
e) Slowly turn up the amp gain for the first loudspeaker until the SPL meter reads 75dBC SPL; switch to next channel with the UMC-1 cursor keys and repeat for every speaker

Best, Markus

I am not aware of any amps that have volume controls on them?
I have Adcom and they do not have any way to adjust the volume of the amp other than through the pre amp

[markus]

Good amps have

[jvenard]

Yes, I am sure yours do have big knobs and many lights for accuracy and adjustments. Also, putting a volume control in line will reduce any possible noise that could be added.

[darien87]

I think the test tones are still messed up. I tried them last night and the sub is still about -10db down from all of the other speakers.

I just put the levels back to where I had them when I set them with a test disc.