A Guide to Setting Up Surround Sound Speaker Levels in Your Room
When it comes to creating an immersive home theater experience, the setup and configuration of your surround sound speakers will make all the difference. Have you ever wondered, "Where do I put my speakers in my room, and at what level should I set my surround sound speakers' volume”?
In this article, we’ll explore the various aspects of calibrating your surround sound system, ensuring that your audio experience is nothing short of perfect!
Let us review what a surround sound is: Surround sound is a multimedia audio technology that replicates sound coming from multiple directions, creating an immersive experience. Unlike traditional stereo sound, which uses two channels, surround sound typically comes in configurations like 5.1, 7.1, 7.2 or even more advanced setups like 9.1, 9.2, and 11.2. The numbers refer to the total number of speakers and subwoofers in the system.
For Example:
A 5.1 system consists of five main speakers (front left, center, front right, rear left, and rear right) and one subwoofer for low-frequency effects.
A 7.1 system adds two additional surround speakers for even more immersive sound.
A 7.2 system adds the two additional surround speakers and a second subwoofer.
After 7.1 or 7.2, the added channels for 9, 11, and 13 are referred to as “Atmos Surround.”
In all cases, bass improvement is amplified with a second, third, or fourth subwoofer.
A standard surround sound system consists of several key components:
Speakers: Each speaker [5-7-9 plus sub or subs] is strategically placed in your room to produce sound from different directions.
Receiver: This is the hub, the electronic traffic cop, that processes audio/video signals from each of your sources and routes them to the appropriate speakers and display [monitor or TV set].
Source Devices: These include streaming devices, Blu-ray players like the Magnetar UDP800 MKII, turntables like the TEAC TN 5BB, or CD Players like the Unison Research Unico Duo. All sound sources send audio/video data to the receiver.
Calibration Tools: Most modern AV receivers come with built-in calibration tools that help adjust speaker levels automatically. Alternatively, you could acquire a multi-channel set up disc [if you have a turntable] from Avia, Sound & Vision, or DTS. This disc will help you calibrate the listening levels for your speakers and subwoofer. The disc has sweeps of frequencies from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for all channels. Understanding how to use the built-in calibration tools and manual tools will help you grasp the importance of setting appropriate levels for each speaker in your system for ideal surround sound performance.
How do I set up the speakers in my room?
Speaker Placement when setting up your Surround Sound System:
Proper placement ensures that sound reaches your ears from the intended angles. Here’s a basic guideline for speaker positioning:
Front Speakers: These should be placed at ear level, approximately 20 to 30 degrees from your listening position. Placement of front speakers should be in line with or slightly in front of the TV screen plane, but never behind the face level of the TV. If positioned behind the front of the TV, you WILL lose left and right imaging, especially with music.
Center speaker: The center channel is responsible for dialogue and vocals in movies. Ensure that it is audible and clear without overpowering the other speakers. The center speaker should be directly aligned with the center of the television and as close to ear level as possible. Many times, that is not possible. When the center is below the ear level or above, use a wedge to lift or lower the face of the center speaker so that the drivers are aimed at your ears.
Surround Speakers: Side speaker position should be left and right of the sitting surface [3 to 6 feet] and 6.5 to 7 feet in the air and 90 to 110 degrees relative to your listening position. The rear surround speakers should be slightly behind your seating area [3 to 9 feet], 6.5 to 7 feet in the air, and 135 to 150 degrees relative to your listening position.
Can you use bookcase speakers and put them on speaker stands both on the side and in the back of your view/listen position? You can, but it will not sound as THX or Dolby intended for the rear side or pack surround sound. The sound in the rear and the side is supposed to be a fog or mist. When you drive in the mountains, in the fog, you cannot tell if the fog is coming from the top or the bottom or the front or the back. That is how the rear of a surround system should be; the exception is when a plane flies over, a bullet bounces from front to back, or someone is talking off the front of the screen. The rear of the surround sound is a FOG without, 90 percent of the time, any direction.
Subwoofer: A subwoofer delivers low-frequency effects, such as explosions and rumbling. You will find that most experts say that placement of the subwoofer is less critical and “just put it in a corner” to enhance bass response. That is wrong, wrong, wrong. The subwoofer placement is as important as each of the other speakers in your system, and IF you elect to have dual subs in your room, it is even more important to position them correctly. The subwoofer can be placed behind the viewing or listening position only if it is a true subwoofer and not a bass extender labeled as a subwoofer. A subwoofer is a speaker that functions from 80 Hz and below only; if it has the ability to produce sounds above 80 Hz, it may not be a subwoofer, and it is most likely a bass enhancer and should only be in front of your viewing or listening position.
Keep in mind, if the BEST positions for your speakers and/or subwoofers are not possible, consult a room design expert to help you pick “the right speaker for the wrong place so that you can have the correct sound.” Our experts at soundapproach.com are happy to help consult on your specific space and speaker setup!
It is OK to experiment with speaker placement to achieve the best sound in your room and for you. As we like to say, “use the knowledge and experiment, experiment, experiment.”
Setting up speaker levels for the best sound performance in your room.
You have two choices to do this: manual or automatic. Both methods ensure that your audio output is balanced across all speakers, enhancing your listening experience.
Automatic—the easy way.
Using the built-in speaker sound calibration systems can save you a lot of time and provide a great starting point for optimizing your surround sound speaker levels. All modern AV receivers come with automatic speaker calibration systems, like Odyssey or other similar systems. Using the built-in calibration system simplifies the process of setting the sound levels in your room.
Here’s how: Place the Calibration Microphone: Most systems will provide a calibration mic; position it at ear level at your primary listening/viewing spot.
Run the Calibration Program: Follow the prompts on your receiver. The calibration program system will play various test tones and automatically adjust the speaker levels based on sound measurements taken by the mic in your room.
Fine-Tune if Necessary: After using automatic calibration, you may want to make small adjustments for personal listening preferences.
Manual calibration—the time-consuming way.
A more effective and accurate way to set speaker levels in your room is by using a sound pressure level (SPL) meter. You can buy an analog or digital meter to perform this calibration or use an app on your smartphone. Phone apps are not always the most accurate, but they are convenient.
Here’s how to calibrate your speaker levels with an SPL meter:
Position the Meter: Place the sound level meter at your primary listening position and set the meter to “C” weighting and “Slow” response. Play a Test Tone: Many AV receivers include test tones that play from each speaker sequentially. If you have a turntable in your system, you can buy a record with test tones on it. A signal tone generator can be plugged in and used. Play the test tone to read the sound level for each speaker.
Adjust Levels: Adjust the individual speaker levels within your receiver until all speakers' output is roughly at the same volume, generally between 75-85 dB. This method ensures that your audio output is balanced across all speakers, enhancing your listening experience. However, the levels set may need to be tweaked depending on the movie or music source recording and/or the surround layout in your room.
Fine-tuning your surround sound experience:
The type of content you’re consuming can influence how you might want your speaker levels set. Once you have set the initial levels, it may be beneficial to fine-tune them for specific content or personal preference.
For Music: Generally, a more balanced sound is preferred. Consider slightly increasing the levels of the front speakers to ensure that vocals and instruments come through more clearly.
For Movies: You may want to elevate the center channel to enhance dialogue clarity, especially for action-packed films where audio effects are layered thick.
What about the room?
It’s also essential to account for your room’s acoustics. such as wall materials, furniture, and room shape, all of which can impact sound quality. Should the sound be too bright or it bounces or echoes in the space, you may have too many hard surfaces like tile or wood. These issues can be tamed by adding rugs and soft furnishings to absorb sound. If the bass sounds too boomy, reposition your subwoofer and/or adjust the crossover settings (the frequency at which the audio transitions from the L&R speakers to the subwoofer), on your receiver or subwoofer. Understanding your room’s acoustics can help you further refine your speaker levels for a more tailored sound experience.
Other issues you may encounter:
One speaker’s sound is different than the other. If you notice that one speaker is significantly louder or softer than others, revisit the physical placement and the levels set for that speaker. This could be due to incorrect positioning or possibly a damaged speaker.
If your speaker’s audio sounds distorted, you may have the volume control turned up too high, pushing your speakers too hard. Reduce the volume level of all the speakers that sound distorted. Make sure to check your receiver volume control settings, as you may be exceeding the power of the receiver.
Suppose the dialogue gets lost in sound effects, consider adjusting the center channel to be slightly louder than the other speakers. Some AV receivers have a setting that will allow you to enhance dialogue only and not affect the other speakers in the system.
Conclusion:
Setting surround sound speaker levels is not just about selecting the right numeric values; it’s a comprehensive process of understanding your setup, room acoustics, and audio source material. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a perfectly tuned surround sound system that engages your senses and transforms your viewing and listening experience. With proper configuration and adjustments based on personal preferences, you will unlock the full potential of your surround sound system, immersing yourself in stunning audio that complements the visuals. Whether you’re watching the latest blockbuster or jamming to your favorite tunes, the right speaker levels can make all the difference. So go ahead, experiment, and enjoy the remarkable audio landscape your surround sound system can offer!
