Setting the speaker level on my Sony STR-DA3100es Receiver?

Question

I have a Sony STR-DA3100es Receiver and have hooked up my Bose Acoustimas 15 series Surround Sound System. What I'm having trouble with is getting the level of the sound correct. I have to turn the volume on my Receiver to -35db's to get good sound.

Can anyone help me figure out what the best way to set up my speaker level? My brother-in-law has the same Bose system as me but an older model of the Sony Receiver, but he has great speaker volume at -52db's. So I can't understand why I have to turn mines up to -35db's to get good sound.

Any suggestions??

-Thanks

Answer 1

after buying a sound level pressure meter (analog) set the device to 70db and push the speaker test button on the receiver. make sure the spl is set to slow response c metering. adjust all speakers so that the level is in the middle of the meter. thats it.

Answer 2

Short answer: Dont worry about out. As long as you are not at 00db, you are not straining anything.

Here is the way to think of the display: The -NNdb is the volume measured 1 foot in front of a reference speaker.

Your brother in law may have his speakers better aligned to point at the center seat and be sitting closer to the speakers than your setup. This accounts for the extra power needed.

If you want to 'do it right': Get a Radio Shack SPL meter (analog prefered) and a copy of "Avia" or Digital Video Essentials.  It has a tutorial that shows you how to properly level adjust your speakers for your room.

The SPL meter held at your seat shows you the REAL volume, not the display which is just an aproximation.