Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Speaker level setting

The sensitivity of my front and rear speakers are quite different. When I set up the level on the speakers there is a 7 db difference.

The question is which is better:
1) Set the fronts to -7 and the rears to 0.
2) Set the fronts to 0 and the rears to +7.
3) There is no difference.

Thx.

If I understand the question correctly, the answer is probably "neither". From the Meridian 568 manual (as an example): "For correct THX reproduction you should adjust each speaker to 75dB SPL using an SPL meter. Even if your speakers are not THX approved this setting is recommended. If you have Meridian DSP loudspeakers they cannot be set above +0dB."

In my bedroom setup (DSP5000 L+R, DSP5000C, DSP33 rear surrounds) I have -4.5, -8.5, and -5.0, respectively. This is based on measurements at my listening position. The distances are 8' for front L/C/R and 5' for the rears.


[This message has been edited by tkennedy (edited 12-17-2001).]

You have to set speaker level of 75dB based on when then Volume is set at 87 (which is -0 on alternate display,) which is the reference level. So they might end up being +10 and +3, or -2 and -9, depending on your amp's gain, speaker's sensitivity and distance from listener.

If you don't set it at that volume level, things like MaxdB, SPL limiting, speaker protection and diag normalization would not work properly.