I received my 990/7125 last week did setup last Friday and have been loving every minute. I have one immediate questions:

Has anyone checked the accuracy of the 990 auto setup against a manual setup with an SPL meter. Is the auto setup with the mic on the target.

Having just spent 2 grand I have no problem investing $35 in an SPL meter but if the auto setup is good I could use the bucks for something else.

Thanks in advance.

Some folks have trouble with the auto-setup getting confused about large and small speakers, but it sounds like your room was like mine and didn't give the auto-setup any trouble along those lines. From my testing, the auto-setup was very similar to my manual calibration. I'd say that if the auto-setup got your crossovers and distances pretty accurately, than the channel levels are also pretty reliable.

Well, if you're an HT fanatic (like myself) you shouldn't be without a SPL meter, IMO. It's really one tool that has been invaluable for my setup. I've used it both for speaker leveling as well as a mic for low freq response measurements.

Better to be safe than sorry!!

The 990 auto setup function, in particular with the subwoofer, did not provide good results when I tried it. I then did a manual calibration with my Radio Shack SPL meter and a tape measure and I am very pleased with the results. Also, I like to see the results of minor changes in the channel level settings at the "sweet spot" and the SPL meter is the perfect tool to do that.

With all that said, its great that the auto setup worked for you. Enjoy your HT!

Buy yourself a RS SPL meter - best $35 you'll ever spend IMO. I didn't have such good luck with the auto program (my room is acoustically treated and I know it well) and the settings were a bit wonky (tried several times with different results). Once I did it the manual way, everything is just fine. I applaud the Outlaws for including this feature, I just think for the ones who prefer manual control, that is ultimately the way to go. If for now other reason than to have a backup reference to the auto settings (if you can get them to work-which many here seem to have done fine as well).

SPl all the way!

Personally, I wish the Outlaws had omitted the auto setup feature. I could be wrong, but I would imagine the majority of people buying this product are enthusiasts who know how to do a basic audio calibration. It would be better to put that money toward sound quality or a better remote, or reduce the price, IMO.

Hey mz,

The auto-setup feature failed me too. Kept telling me that I needed to reset my speakers to small for calibration. No biggie really, I would have verified the levels manually even if the auto-cal feature had worked anyway (as I assume most of us would

If nothing else, you owe it to yourself to do a comparison using a SPL meter. I agree on several points mentioned, not the least of which you stated: $35 is nothing compared to your $2K investment; and no serious HT enthusiast should be w/o one.

Good luck!

Thanks guys for the responses. Will be picking up the SPL meter later today.

A week or so ago I asked 990 owners if they got the same readings with the 990's auto setup as with an SPL meter, I did not have a meter at the time. Got an SPL meter today and ran through the calibration with the meter and here are the comparisons:

990 Auto Calibration

Left Frt. > 0
Center > -1
Right Frt. > +2
Right Rear > 0
Left Rear > +3
Sub > -2

SPL Meter Calibration

Left Frt.> 0
Center > 0
Right Frt.> +1
Right Rear > 0
Left Rear > +3
Sub > -6

So in my situation the Auto setup wasn't too far off but I feel better doing the calibration with the SPL meter.

mzpro - I'm curious did you apply any sort of roll off compensation to your sub calibration with the manual meter? It's well known that they roll off at low frequencies, and while the test tone is full range, the low frequencies seem emphasized by the nature of the sub, at least to my ears.

Rob

No Rob I didn't but in a week or so of listening have fined tuned the sub to a -4 or -3. Wasn't getting the sound I liked at -6.

Quick question while we ar eon the topic of subs....

When you have a dual sub setup, should one sub be turned off while calibrating? Whats the procedure for a dual sub setup?

Thanks for any help.

I'd have both subs on, since both will be in use at the same time.

If you want to get a bit picky, you may turn the test tone on and run each sub alone. Adjust each sub using the sub amp's gain control until the two give the same level at your listening position. Then you could turn both subs on and adjust the trim at the 990. Some of the dual sub users may have some first-hand feedback on whether that extra step is beneficial.

Both of the SVS 20-39CS+ subs I use are passive, I try and get the location of the subs correct by connecting and placing one in my listening position and wlaking around the room with the SPL meter to find the best response. Then, I locate the sub there. I repeat the process with the second sub. Being the SVS subs are passive, they have no phase, level, etc. When I get the SMS-1 I will compare the results of its frequency response measurement to those I have taken with the SPL meter and relocate the subs if necessary. I will then balance both subs at once with the SMS-1. The only other adjustment I could possibly make with the passive subs is to switch the polarity of the wires on one to throw it 180 degrees off from the other. If your two subs are powered, I would follow the same location process, but then you have more parameters to play with than I do such as phase, level, crossover, etc.

Good luck!

I have two Outlaw LFM-1's

I'll have to extend my sub cable but it is possible to put it right in front of the listening position. I basically have only one area to put the subs...which is on my stage behind or to the side of the screen wall. Otherwise the subs will be in view. I know I will probably sacrifice some performance with this limited placement.

I will begin by calibrating as gonk said and maybe another day I will extend the cable and see if I can better place the two subs. Im satisfied with the bass now in all seats (2 rows of 5) but Im sure I could eek out a little better performance all around if I took the time.

Thanks for the tips. If anyone else has any tips for a dual sub setup I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Lou

I was never happy with the performance of my dual subs no matter how I adjusted them. I spent $100 on True RTA (the full version) and about $100 on a mic and mic preamp. I tested the subs together and each one seperately (with the mic at the listening position). The results were pretty startling & dramatic. I could get better results individually then with both on (due to cancellations). I ended up with a BFD (another $100!). My point in this long story is to try different combinations - you may be as surprised as I was. Oh, and the testing was a lot of fun also.

I found the distance measurement to be accurate, but the DB measurement was off. The 990 also thought I was using "small" speakers. That really hurt..

Anybody know of a site that walks you through setting up with a SPL meter? Something easy enough for a newbie like me.

scofow - its pretty easy. Just turn up the volume a bit - set your SPL meter so its registering well - I like to set the DB setting so that its reading around 0db on the meter - for me thats like 70DB. I use the radio shack meter. Use C weighting so its a bit slower and easier to read.
Then just go through the surround setup and adjust the volume on each channel until they are the same, or as close as you can get to the same.

Before you do all this, run the auto setup so it will identify the distance measurements for you - for me this setting is accurate - however others have had to get out a tape measure.

This is what I do, hopefully I've been doing it correctly! I'm sure someone will chime in if I'm wrong. Good luck.

The Outlaw manuals include some good notes on this. As Subw00er points out, it's fairly straightforward. If you start on page 28 of the 990 manual, it will walk you through the complete manual setup process step by step. Page 30 covers the SPL meter in some good detail

Thanks for the tips! Well my new 990 and 7125 should be here soon.

I have a few questions about the 990:

Reading the forums dealing with bass management and so on, I am confused about my future setup. Here’s what I will be setting up for my new home theater:

Pre/Pro – Outlaw 990/7125 (possible upgraded amp if needed)
Left & Right – Definitive Technology BP7002
Center – Definitive CLR2500
Rears – BPX
Sub – Outlaw LFM-1

Question: With powered subs within the Left, Right and Center are these speakers considered Large or Small? What do you guys and gals think about the setup for the above situation? I do not really fully understand the issues with bass management, am I going to have to deal with it?

Thanks for you time!