DEEP HZ AUDIO

Proper calibration of your surround sound system, including your SVS subwoofer, this is not only easy, it's downright critical! On the left is a sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter; using one is akin to checking your car tires with an air pressure gauge. If you don't have one (the SPL meter that is) by all means you should get one. You can buy one direct from Deep Hz. Audio just click onto Buy Now and we can send one out to you. We prefer this model to the digital display SPL meter due to the analog version's ease in getting spot-on adjustments.

Why is calibration of the levels of your surround system so important? Well think of it this way in the old days you could just adjust the "Balance" knob on your stereo and get that center image (of the singer, or various instruments) "just right". Try to imagine doing that with 6 channels of a digital surround sound system for a minute! Get any of those channels out of balance by a few decibels (dBs something all but certain without a meter) and the complex realism of the soundstage DVD's and the new high resolution music formats are capable of, goes right out the window.

Start by playing your receiver's internal teat tones so you have something to measure with your SPL meter. Or better yet a calibration disc, like "Avia" also available from Deep Hz. Audio. It's a test disc of calibration tones to ensure your entire signal path from the DVD player to your speakers is set correctly.

Make sure your receiver/processor master volume is set at "00 dB" or another easy to remember level, it will become your "reference level" one very close to that intended for home theaters by Dolby Labs. Finally set your subwoofer amp's volume control. Note here if you have a "PC-type" subwoofer put the volume/gain knob to no more than 1/4th to 1/3rd of the way up. If it's a separate pro-type amp for a CS-type subwoofer, run the gain full (it's a different sort of amp design and expects to be set up this way). It's a good idea to check the subwoofer level control of your receiver before you begin the test tones. Keep the receiver's subwoofer output control to about 25% up or lower then "0dB". This will allow your amp to work with the cleanest signal possible from your receiver while still leaving plenty of downward adjustment you can use from your viewing position (using the remote). As the tones start alternating speaker to speaker (watching the sound meter now) set each speaker's volume to 75dB or 85dB (depending on your tone source) using the receiver's channel controls. Not all test disc or receivers are the same when it comes to calibration tones however, if using a test DVD like Video Essentials should allow you to calibrate reference level at 75dB. Ovation's "Avia" DVD is recorded at a higher level to improve signal to noise ratios during calibration, so you need to measure instead to 85dB for all channels if you use it and not Video Essentials.

What to set the sub to? you might find that a higher level relative to your main speakers is preferable. In other words set to a bit higher than 75dB or 85dB depending on your calibration tone source. Tastes vary and so do movie soundtracks but your SVS subwoofer is capable of tremendous levels of low distortion low frequency bass. Take advantage of this especially if you like action movies with lots of ".1" channel low frequency effects (LFE). Keep in mind to that the human ear is relatively insensitive to low frequencies. This coupled with the fact most people don't watch movies at Dolby Digital reference level (loud!) means tweaking the bass up a few dBs usually yields a better movie sound experience.

As you continue to calibrate you'll briefly need to rotate the sound meter level dial to the 80dB setting to get a good reading on the subwoofer if you go beyond the level of your main speakers as we recommend. Don't forget that most modern surround sound receivers allow completely different subwoofer level settings, depending on the listening mode you are in. With "DVD" as your "source" use the above calibration routine. You may well find that "CD" (music) calls for a lower bass setting for the best balance in your home theater (try setting this by ear with music you are familiar with). The above is a guide. Experiment!