I can't seem to get consistent speaker to speaker spl readings when using my Radio Shack analog meter. Setting the meter @ 70db, as I start with the left front as my 75db starting point and cycle through, setting each speaker to the 75db level, when it cycles back to the L. front it's now pegging the meter. So I back it down to 75db again, the center needs to be tweaked up a bit, the R.front needs to be tweaked up 2-3db as do the rears. Cycle back to the L. Front and it's pegging the meter again! Am I doing something wrong? Am I not understanding how to do this? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

[This message has been edited by pictureguy (edited August 31, 2003).]

Are you moving the meter at all while you're calibrating? Ideally it should be pointed at the ceiling in about the same spot as your ear would be durring normal listening.. You could try using a tripod to make holding it a easier and more consistant..

I have the meter on a tripod, so I'm not moving it at all during the process.

After cycling through the test tones a couple of dozen times, there seems to be a consistent difference of +2-3 db between the left and right sides. If I set the LF at 74-75db, the RF need to be tweaked up a bit to achieve 74-75db as well as the LR. When I cycle back to the LF, it's back up to 78db or so. It seems that when I tweak up the RF and RR to match the left, it also affects the Left side output. The meter is supposedly accurate to +/- 2db @ 114Db however the test is consistently weighted to the left side being +2-3db louder after going through the cycle. It's really weird.

I haven't adjusted my levels in awhile but if I remember correctly, you can't set the levels differently on the 1050 for the front right and left channels. If you notice the display while adjusting the levels, raising or lowering the level of the FL or FR channels just raises or lowers the overall volume.

I would suggest you work with speaker positioning to get the levels closer. Also, if need be, you may have to adjust the balance control more towards the right than the left if you can't move your speakers. Sometimes, just toeing your speaker in or out a little can make all the difference.

Try this test; Set your levels as close as you can get them and then play a stereo track with a main vocal on it. See if the vocal comes out dead center, almost as if you have your center speaker on. If it's not dead center, move your speakers a little bit until you can get it centered. If you still can't get it centered, you may want to check if you have your speakers wired out of phase. Any THX certified DVD will have a set of pink noise on it for testing phase. Then repeat above.

Good luck!

As Jason says, you can't set the level of the fronts separately. There is a balance control which I'm not sure is on the remote but is definitely on the front panel. Make sure this is balanced first, then set the level of the rest.

A few weeks ago I was having the same problem with a 1 1/2 year old 1050 which had been level set many times. It took a while to realize that the kids had played with the balance and left the right channel at +8.

Make sure that when you set the levels on the center and surrounds that you don't change them with the volume up and down buttons rather than the lft and right srrow buttons. I did this the first time I set the levels and had the same problem you're having.
Good Luck

OOPS! I was using the volume control to change the levels. Makes sense that the volume would change the LF too! Thanks to all for your input.

Regards