Originally Posted by Still-one
Hector

What I am asking, when people in this thread have indicated a value are they referring to 75dB on a SPL or are they indicating the 75 that is shown in the display of their Meridian CD/Pre.

Those are two different values.
Good point. Volume display setting is relative and therefore is not a valid comparison from system to system. After all, each system may be calibrated differently and will be louder in 5.2 than stereo for the same volume setting.

I calibrate my main speakers at least 3dB down in order to hear the surrounds and subs better. Therefore, my volume setting will tend to be higher than others who calibrate all their speakers at the same level.

On the other hand, an SPL meter is an absolute value. I listen around 70 dB.

DSP6000, DSP5200, DSP5500VC, P300W, SW1600, G68, 568.2, HD621, G57, G55, Oppo BDP-105.