Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems "Reference" volume level

In many places, I read about listening to movies/music at "reference levels." is there a certain volume in dB that is considered true "reference"?

I've heard the numbers 87dB and 75dB thrown around. Which would be more preferable for our systems or is this entirely dependent on which processor/speaker/amp combo each of us have?

Thanks.

-0db is reference.
Use the display button on your remote to change between -dB and +.

I did not realise 0dB was reference level. I really enjoy loud music and movies but can't listen much above 85 on my system. Does this not also depend on how the system was initally set up (gain etc)?

Regards

If you set all channels to 75dB using the built in test tones (or calibration DVD) then select 0dB volume on the processor, then the volume you experience would be that for which the soundtrack was mixed.

Confusingly, in 5.1 mixing you get 'full scale', which is also 0dB and is the loudest a channel can be reproduced, which if properly calibrated is 105dB for the full range channels and 115dB for the LFE.

I think the thing to remember here is that Reference level is more pertinent to a theatre rather than a home environment.

In some instances, calibrating each channel to 75dB may involve reducing output by a few dB, so you lose sound quality, and in some instances, you may not be able to get up to 75dB across all channels, in which case you need to calibrate on the quietest channel anyway (which may be 72dB or 73dB)

I've always calibrated on the quietest channel, and if that is above 75dB, that's fine, it will sound better across the spectrum of music and movies.

I'd set aside any concerns about Reference levels for domestic reproduction, calibrate to your own environment and enjoy the superb music and movie sound that the processor provides. Just 'me tuppence worth.

Cheers

George

A big +1.

Listening at 'the reference' level is way way too loud for my ears.

Regards,
Carl

Thanks for your advice all. This is precisely what I was thinking - I.e. this whole thing is entirely subjective and ultimately down to personal taste!

Mr M and Carl, when you stated the quietest channel heard, which would this generally be in a 5.1 setup? I'm assuming this would be either sub or center (I'm not even thinking about calibrating the sub for all frequencies).

What do you all think?

It's not really possible to say which would be the quietest channel, as it will depend on room size, speaker location and proximity to room furnishings, all relative to the position of the SPL meter used for calibration. (The meter should be at your seating position, pointing vertically upwards. A tripod is very useful here; don't hand hold the meter whilst measuring)

I use DSPs all round, and in my set up, there was a spread of about 3.5dB between the loudest and quietest speaker. The two rears were loudest because they were closest to the measurement position, and I think the front left was the quietest. Consequently, using the processor test tones, I measured what dB value that front left could achieve, then brought the rest down to that.

Hope that makes sense?

Cheers

George

Lol - Interestingly, between the time i wrote that post and now, I found the exact same thing - my Left front is the quietest - i.e. I cannot increase the gain any further.

Therefore, I will adjust all other speakers gain to this volume level.

Thanks again.

I always thourght 87 was reference since I had a 518.

The 518 manual says that unity gain (i.e. 0db) is at volume number 87.

Always assumed this was the same for speakers. Or maybe there's the question of what is reference level vs unity gain ?

I find it quite interesting how difficult some people find getting a 75dB test tone is.
For reference (pun intended) all of my front three are ~2.5m away from the listening position, all channels in the G68 are set to +3dB and each speaker has a gain pot, all set to about 40%. I find 87 way too loud as well, between 65 & 70 is about right.

Just like Mudge, I run my analogue actives turned down; in my case -10dB switches.

I listen between 70 and 90.

Running the system at high levels and attenuating at the speakers is good for S/N levels.

All the best,
Steve.