SPL meter and Avia Disc for dummies?

[uofmrocky]

Hello all. I see people posting all over the place that in order to get the best sound for your buck..you need to invest in a SPL and an Avia Disc.

However even if i went ahead and bought these two items..i would have no idea what i was doing with them nor would i have any idea where to get information on how to use them.

Or EVEN WHERE TO BUY them???


Can anyone shed any insight on these items and how to use them..or point me to a place where i can find information on how to use them.


Rocky

[BradJudy]

The DVD should guide you through their use, but if you're uneasy, you might want to consider the Sound&Vision DVD instead. The instructions are very straight-forward and easy to understand.

BestBuy had the Sound & Vision DVD a few years ago, but it was labeled as a 'BestBuy' home theater setup DVD.

If you want to get the Avia disc, you can get both it and the meter from SVS for $80 - http://www.svsound.com/products-parts-avia.cfm

[Trench]

If you have Netflix, rent Avia (the other big-name-one is there too, can't remember what it's called).

SPL I've most often heard is at Radio Shack. (It'd be nice if we newbies could pass one along, as it's mostly a one-time-thing...)

The disc you use will of course have instructions.

[BradJudy]

If you have Netflix, rent Avia (the other big-name-one is there too, can't remember what it's called).

That's a good point that didn't occur to me since I own a copy. It looks like Blockbuster online also has both Avia and Sound&Vision.

[BGHD]

If you have Netflix, rent Avia (the other big-name-one is there too, can't remember what it's called).

FYI: In case you planned on using Avia to calibrate your TV too, the one I rented from Netflix didn't come with the color filters.

[MikeAndAnnie]

Hello all. I see people posting all over the place that in order to get the best sound for your buck..you need to invest in a SPL and an Avia Disc.
However even if i went ahead and bought these two items..i would have no idea what i was doing with them nor would i have any idea where to get information on how to use them.
Rocky

And don't forget to do Lee's phase check to get the distance right.
It works great!
http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showpost.php?p=8027&postcount=1

[JeffD2]

From everything I've read:

DVE is considered better for video calibration.

Avia is considered best for audio calibration because of redirected bass and a subwoofer tone ON DVE that was miscalculated and that to my knowledge, has never been corrected in subsequent publishings. The calibrations I performed with DVE were quite simply aweful sounding.

OTOH- Avia Pro is considered best of all for the DIYer.

At a cost of $45-$50 for Avia, I just rent it from Hollywood Video for $4 a pop. So far I've spent $12. Wifey gets new furniture soon so that'll make it $16 so far.

BTW- You may have to rent from what's called a "library branch" of Hollywood Video to get the Avia disc.

[uofmrocky]

Ok well where is the cheapest place to buy an spl meter?

[bikeman]

Wifey gets new furniture soon
I thought new speakers were always included with new furniture. Are the 340SE's on order? :D

David

[ChrisA]

Ok well where is the cheapest place to buy an spl meter?
Amazon.com has new and used ones at decent prices, I just went ahead and bought a new one from Radioshack for $45.

[KETA144]

I had a hard time with them (RS-SPL and AVIA). I wasn't sure what I was looking for. I haven't had the time to post an official thread yet:

The way I see it, if everyone says to get the disk, get it. Learn it after you buy it. There are enough people on here to eventually break through the coarse layer of skin around my skull that seems to inhibit me from fully grasping the HT concept. If they can teach me, they can teach anyone.

If the disk and meter seem like they are too much for you to spend, then most likely they are. If you can afford to spend $50 on something that you'll never really need, go for it. The worst case scenerio is, you realize you are too lazy to really care. The way I see it, save your $50 when looking for a wedding ring or baby toys. It's not like they really get used anyways. At least with the disk and meter, your wife can't complain because you're always out. You'll be too busy moving your speakers around for a couple of weeks to actually go anywhere! Besides, you can always measure the range of your wife's/girlfriend's voice. What could be more fun than that?

[uofmrocky]

Your right...I'm definately worried that i'm going to spend the cash to get this stuff..and when i get it..have no idea what the hell i'm doing with it. So i'm confused as to direction i should take.

[BradJudy]

I guess my point of view is that if you're spending $1000+ bucks on HT audio plus whatever you're spending on the TV and DVD player, it's worth well more than the cost of the DVD and meter to make sure it's set up right.

Here's what I recommend you do: go and rent the video. If the instructions are straight-forward enough that you're comfortable, go buy the SPL meter too. If not, then you're only out the cost of renting the video (could be nothing if you have Netflix/Blockbuster online) and maybe you can do some of the video calibrations anyway (the ones that don't require the color filter card).

It's the lowest risk scenario (other than borrowing the disc from a friend) that I can think of.

[uofmrocky]

Sounds like a good plan..just hope the video stores near me have it!!

[JeffD2]

I thought new speakers were always included with new furniture. Are the 340SE's on order? :D

David
Not yet David. Still working the WAF. Thanks to you I have Nick as a collaborator. You know how it is, the TIMING has to be just right. She'll be ripe for the pickin's when she gets her end.

EDIT- Come to think of it, I will have already been picked. Dang wifey! :D