New system set up and tuning

Just bought a used 1050 to replace my Pro-Logic Yamaha receiver circa 1993. I am wondering what I need to get and do to set my new system up properly? I don't have an SPL meter do I need to get one? What kind of test CD or DVD should I get and use. Any and all help is much appreciated. If you know of a website or FAQ somewhere online that would be great too.

Thanks,

Justin

If you listed what other equipment you were using, it would certainly be helpful.

As for setting up a 1050, the internal test tones work fine for everything except the subwoofer. A Radio Shack SPL meter would certainly help finalize your speaker level settings but isn't neccesary for the initial set-up. It is, however, a good investment as you will find uses for it in the future.

I would also recommend you read the manual for the 1050. It is very well written and is a great guide through the set-up process.

One more thing, to avoid conflict on some DD EX DVD titles, make sure you turn the back surround speaker on no matter if you have one or not. Then, before playing any title that features the DD EX label, turn on 6.1 channel decoding. Doing this should avoid any flag problems.

Good luck and enjoy!

I generally use the internal test tones for setting speaker levels, although AVIA and Digital Video Essentials are both good setup DVD's (for both audio and video). As Jason J suggests, a Radio Shack SPL meter is a good investment: I've found it to significantly speed up the process of setting channel levels, and the 1050 manual has some hints on how to use it (around page 24; the manual is available from Outlaw's site if you don't have a copy already).

Thanks guys. My equipment is as follows.

Fronts = NHT 2.2a towers
Center = NHT VS1.2a
Surrounds = NHT HDP2 Dipoles
No center surround.
Sub = NHT SWP1 (10") and a DIY NHT 1259
Sub Amp = Old 200 WPC Soundcraftsman
DVD = Cheap Apex (but does have digital out)

I think I'll get the SPL because I haven't been able to get my NHT 1259 to sound better than the NHT 10" I was trying to upgrade. I hope it is set up. The 10" is ported and the 1259 is sealed.

The room is not ideal. It L shaped 18x10 with a 10x10 boot. My AV system is on the long end of the L. The surrounds are mounted on the walls at about 8ft high. I have vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors.

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| Left Ctr Right Sub|
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| Coffee table |
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|Sur Couch Couch Couch Sur|
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Sorry my picture didn't turn out so well in the last post.

I would strongly suggest getting another surround speaker to use for the rear center surround. Its been my experience that a number of movies even with the trick Jason described above, don't decode properly. With the increasing number of movies in DD-EX, I have found having the extra speaker an excellent investment. Given your preference for NHT, I would look at ebay for a used VS1.2 or a Super Zero/One.

I think the item number for the digital Radio Shack SPL meter is 33-2050. I used one that belonged to a friend along with his Avia test disc and it was pretty easy.
Go to E-bay or the Froogle search on Google.
They look like pretty good deals right now on both sites.

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[This message has been edited by CBWills (edited July 30, 2004).]