Onkyo TX-NR708 Audyssey levels problem

[alkit]

Hi,

Trying to set up the Audyssey auto-calibration on my Onkyo TX-NR708, and having a problem.

It tells me to set my sub to 75 db. I have put my subs (I have 2x subs) on the LOWEST volume, and its picking up 77 db. With subs completely off, it picks up 47 db of subwoofer sound, even though the subs are both off.

If I continue and complete the whole Audyssey set-up, it configures all my speakers to 40hz crossover.

I'm guessing that the Audyssey chip/mic is damaged in the amp (it seems to be picking up LFE noise when it isn't there).

I do not have a mic stand. What I did is placed a small camera tripod on the couch cushion and screwed the mic into the top of the tripod.

My subs are both in the front, about 1/3 from the wall on the left and right. I use the Jamo sub300 subs.
Crossover setting on the subs is all the way up to 150hz.
I changed the phase on the subs to 0.

After 6 positions Audyssey MultEq calibration, my readings are: 0db for surrounds, -4.5db for center and -4db for front right, -2.5db for front left. Subwoofer was set to -5db.

I have subsequently put the subwoofer level up to +10db. At -5db, the bass is definitely there, but to get the THUMP that I like during movies, I find it way too low. This is why I worry it might be an issue when I need to adjust by 10db.

So Im thinking that its 1 of the following options:
1) Something wrong with my Audyssey in my amp.
2) Audyssey's bass levels just set much lower than I like, and I'll have to adjust accordingly, nothing wrong with the actual amp at all.
3) Audyssey is messing up as I don't have a proper tripod?

Hope someone can shed light.

Thanks!

[jrittz]

I can't speak for issues with your Audyssey but from my research...

I've been able to conclude that when you calibrate a sub for HT use and calibration by Audyssey... you basically do one sub at a time and you run through the first measurement (may take several attempts) and you adjust the gain on the sub until the AVR sets the gain within the AVR to +/- 3db's.

1. Sub 1 Off
2. Sub 2 On
3. Run Audyssey
4. Run the Measurement from the main listening position
5. Calculate
6. Check Speaker Levels to see if it falls within +/- 3db's
7. If it's <-3 db's or >+3 db's, start at #3 and adjust the gain on the sub up/down accordingly. If it falls within +/- 3db's, rinse and repeat for the other sub.

I'm not saying calibrating them to 75db's is wrong because I'm not very experienced with manual calibration...

I hope this is of help in some way.

[JerryMeeker]

If you have Audyssey MultEQ XT (not XT32), then Audyssey calibrates only one sub signal. So, if you have two subs, you need to do several things *before* you reun Audyssey calibration, in the following order:

1. Position the subs for best response. There are a number of techniques for determinating the best placement (e.g. the "subwoofer crawl"), or using REW measurements.
2. If at all possible, make sure the two subs are the same distance from the main listening position. This minimizes delay errors caused by different distances.
3. Level-set the two subs. This is to ensure that the output from both subs is matched. (See thread in this forum for instructions).

Now run Audyssey. Don't worry if the sub trim ends up at a minus value, unless it is maxed out at -12 (or -15, depending on your AVR limits). If maxed out, turn the trim levels on each sub down slightly, re-run the level-setting, and run Audyssey again.

Finally, remember that flat bass can sound subdued. Give yourself a chance to get used to it. If you want more bass, turn the trim level in the AVR up several dB--don't touch the trim on the subs.

[jrittz]

JM, I couldnt agree more. I pretty much did exactly what you said aside from equidistant from the main listening position...and in the end after calibration was done, the AVR was set to -0.5db by Audyssey and let me tell you, I think I was wrong with my initial assessment...I think it actually sounds awesome. I did however have to change the 15H from sealed to 1-port open. Now I've watched 2-3 movies and I think it's going to turn out great.

The only thing I'm sad about is that my receiver is only MultEQ XT...but I guess at this point, I could not have gotten away with buying a receiver with XT 32 due to the cost and WAF. :)

Anyways...I'm glad that with all of the information I was able to obtain, I did end up doing basically what you said in your previous post... and thank you for confirming my conclusion. It helps a lot.

[dnoyeb]

I have similar AVR? Audyssey does have the sub too low for certain things. Maybe good for HT but not for rap music or jazz.

I don't know why your subs are registering so loud while off? I used tripod too. Is yours on carpet?