What Ref Level Do Ya'll Use ?

[Barney]

I was just reading over at avs about Tom's Power Sound Audio thread. Alot of good info by the way.
But the point of this thread (towen...we're cool my friend...just funnin' with you) was Tom will ask at what reference they listen to their systems.
Tom uses 75dbl as reference when calibrating, and askes if they run their systems at -3 or -5 below reference. At -10 my system scares me....things move in the house if there is a major LFE moment.
Do ya'll watch movies & listen near ref level ?
Just wondering.

 

[AndySTL]

I think my receiver has the reference point at 75dbl. My volume display shows the relative scale, so I think I'm around -20 when I am watching movies. So I guess I watch around 55? Seems low, but that's typically where my volume is set.

 

[AndySTL]

I think Audyssey on my receiver tries to calibrate to 75db on the test tones. When the sub is set too high it stops and suggests the user turn the volume on the sub down until it's around 75db.

 

[Zing]

I opted to calibrate my system to 70dB, not 75dB. As such, my volume display for day to day casual enjoyment is typically between -15 and -12. For blockbuster action movies (or when I'm showing off for friends) the volume is anywhere from -9 to -6.

 

[Huey]

I level match at 80db, only for the fact it is easier to read spl meter, and background noise isn't as big of an issue. Honestly though, aren't all we are doing is matching the levels between speakers? Every brand of receiver is different in what setting is suppose to be reference. On my Yamaha, 0 is suppose to be reference, but that is saying that I couldn't set it at -5, and bump the gain level up, or am I looking at this incorrectly?

 

[Zing]

...aren't all we are doing is matching the levels between speakers?

Yes. Plain and simple. The particular level you calibrate to is all but meaningless.

 

[Rope]

I've used 85dB as reference from the beginning.

Rope

 

[Botch]

My Yamaha receiver set everything by itself, it didn't tell me what level it was playing at but it was uncomfortably loud. Sure smoothed out the bass response, however! :handgestures-thumbup:

 

[Barney]

Well, when calibrating my Rotel @75 dBl the read-out is 75. When I'm home alone & watching a BR on my Oppo, I turn my volumn up to 60-65.
On my Marantz, the readout is 0 when calibrated at 75 dBl & when it was connected to a 5.1 (just a 2.1 now in the family room) I turned the volumn to around -10.
I'm affraid to turn my Rotel up to 75 when watching a movie.....that would be some serious spl peaks... :scared-eek: