i just finshed setting up my system. i ran the calibration test tone from my 970 and it seems to me that my 5 channel home theater needs no adjustment (just +1 debibal from my 2 surrounds). i set my sound level meter on 60 because the 970 test tone was rather low and all my speakers seemed to read the same on the sound level meter. is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

It seems reasonable that the sound level would be close if all the speakers are about the same distance from the SPL meter and they generally are the same. I took a brief look at the 970 manual, and like the 990 manual, it fails to say to turn up the main volume control when calibrating the speakers. I usually set the volume at 0db and then shoot for 80db on the SPL meter. Others in the Saloon calibrate with the main volune at -10db and 75db on the meter. I imagine the higher volume takes care of ambient noise that could influence the settings. Let us know if increasing the main volume yields a different result. Enjoy!