Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861 and MRC will not work - SNL too low

Can we just clarify this point. When you set up your system (distances, levels)the recommended level to use is 75dB on the SPL meter. When MRC runs it uses each speaker set to 87dB.

Could you confirm that you mean the latter (MRC setup) and not the former as this would produce VERY LOUD sound at volume control levels of say, 60.

yes, sorry... when setting up distances, etc use 75db on SPL meter... thanks

and then when MRC runs it sets each speaker @ 87..

Nick - thanks... just tried everything again... checked speakers and all 5 calibrated @ 75db.... tried new cable and tried MRC again with SPL @ 90, 80 and even 70db and still got message that SNR to low (usually about 15db)...

I didn't ask that. What are the OFFSETS you put in to reach 75db?

Also how long is the cable you are using?

What type of cable are you using?

in Mconfig change the input sensitivity from 1.5v to 2.5v (do not lower)as you may find the meters output clipping the 861's input circuit.

This happened to a mate down south.

This can be found in the options button on the mrc page.

Clipping inputs can give bad SNR.

Michael

Michael's point is correct I think.

Mic sensitivity options are in the MRC Options/setup and range

0.7V
1.0V
1.4V
2.0V
2.8V

Can you confirm what yours is set to?

Mine is running a radio shack SPL meter at 1.0V and yielding about 45dB SNR.

Guys, he had Meridian help him and I'm sure they went through sensitivity and standard stuff.

We need more information.

One reason why I ask for Speaker Offsets is it says a lot about the room.

Like if he came back with -20 or +20. Or -10 on left and +10 on right it says something about the room and possibly the condition of his speakers.

I'd also like to know are ALL his speakers failing or just one or two.
If he is only failing in the front I think it's a serious bass issue (i.e. side firing subs don't agree with all rooms).

It may be as simple as a bad driver. which Calibration offsets might indicate.

It would also be nice to know how each speaker Boundaries are set to (Free, Wall, Corner). They should (in my opinion) all be set to Free.

Good points. I think I needed to run 90db on the RS meter and the lower sensitivity number for the input. But it appears he needs more than this- I dont know what else to do so I am curious just like everyone else. Good Luck with this- sorry I could not be more helpful.

best regards,
Jerry

thanks all... offsets are pretty tight range .. front left and right are -1 and have ctr, rr, rl flat (0).... boundries all set to free..... pretty consistent room (approx 30 by 20) with wall to wall carpet; 10 foot ceilings; and only one window (i.e. the mancave).... have tried input sensitivity @ virtually every level.... purchased a non radio shack spl yesterday and that did not help either... thanks for all the help...

believe only one speaker is failing as mconfig will not let me go past front left b/f shutting down for incomplete test (signal to noise ratio too low)... cables are all standard Meridian (that come with 5200 and 8k - believe that is roughly 30 feet but not sure)....

Good info. You can force it to skip the first speaker or any speaker.

Right Click in the Measurement Tab, Choose New and UnCheck the speaker you're having trouble with. If Right Front fails too skip that. Skip any speaker that fails.

Report back what speakers work and don't work. Also describe the general (roughly) layout of the room and how far speakers are from listener. Also is this carpet on concrete and what are the walls made up of.

See (New) Wiki page for some trouble shooting http://meridianunplugged.com/wiki/index.php/GetGoodSignalDuringMeasurement