Was finally able to run the Audessey calibration yesterday with no ambient noise. Just wanted to share my results
Audessey Results January 2, 2011
Room Dimension: 15.5 ft L x 10.9 ft W
Speaker Set-up
01 Front : Small (FL +1.5 dB); (FR +3.0 dB)
02 Center : Small (+0.5 dB)
03 Surround : Small (SL +2.5 dB); (SR +1.5 dB)
04 Subwoofer : Yes (+1.5 dB)
05 SW Mode : Norm
06 FL : 3.0m
07 FR : 3.1m
08 C : 2.6m
09 SL : 1.8m
10 SR : 1.9m
11 SW : 2.5m
12 Cr. Over: Adv
13 Cr. F : 80Hz
14 Cr. C : 100Hz
15 Cr. S : 40Hz
16 Cr. LFE : 120Hz
MULTEQ:
MultEQ: AudesseyMultEQ: Byp L/R
MultEQ: Flat
MultEQ: OFF
SVS Subwoofer settings before and during the calibration as follows:
Gain: 10.5 o"clock
Phase: 0
Crossover: 120Hz
Cossover switch: Disabled
Sub cable changed to a 1:1 connector.
Calibration locations: 6
4---5---6
----1----
3-------2
Results are better this time around. Had to increase the gainof the subwoofer from 9 o'clock to 10.5 o'clock to compensate for the increase of the decible level of the sub on the last calibration, which was at +4.0.
The PB12 is not as boomy any more and gives just the right sound needed for each particlar scene. Moreover, it does not stop just being a sub, but often times blends with the center, main and surround speakers...the total sound produced envelopes me, making me feel like part of the scene.
It seems like the sub is some kind of "support" to the speakers. Just when I feel that the sound of a particular scene has been heard, the sub gives a final say.
I love action films because of the separation of sound coming from the different channels of the speakers. I played Live Free or Die Hard...
...the scene when John goes to pick-up Matthew Farrell and everything goes chaos. The sound of the gunshots in this scene is jaw dropping. Very crisp and clear gunshots...every single shot fired, every bullets ricochet was clearly heard. Simply amazing.
Next in line...famous scene from the movie The Incredible Hulk...
...I cannot even begin to mention how this scene sounded on my HT. I was overwhelmed with the experience. The gunfires bright sound was backed-up with the bass coming from the sub givng a neutral sounding experience.
Adding some more impressions of other "scenes" that I tested last night...
Two of my favorite gunfire scenes that I always use for testing speaker and sub blending are:
Inglorious Basterds - the powerful fire fight scene on the bar; and
Open Range - the final shootout battle scene.
Both these scenes will literally put you in the middle of the action. It feels like you are part of the battle. The sound generated by the speakers and the sub is so realistic - unbelievable!
I also love car race scenes...and when that comes to mind, what would be better than the Fast & the Furious choosen scenes...
...at all four choosen action scenes from each film, the sound experience provided by the speakers and sub places you on the drivers seat. It feels like you are "inside" the car and in the race. The engine roar so realistic, you'd beg for it to be louder, so I cranked up the volume a few noches from 20 to 15 dB level, and to my suprise...the SVS speakers did not let me down.
And finally, who could not test scenes from the movie Terminator Salvation...? I have not seen this film - ever, until the day I went to audition the SVS speakers at Graceland. Brader Alfie, aka Obsi, recommended it and this was my deciding factor to definitely get the SVS speakers.
There are actually many scenes in this movie that I did not know which one to start with....
...however, whichever scene I played, the speakers provided amazing surround sound experience. Every explosion every enveloping ambient sound that puts you in the plot of the movie is heard clearly ang accurately. Like mentioned on the audition of the SVS speakers...the panning scene of the jet powered aircraft from left to center to right can be heard at constant/equal level - simply astonishing.
To end the night, I decided to tame down a bit and eneded my testing with Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City Music Hall.
I have tested this material when my HT was NOT properly calibarated and it already sounded good. Now that the HT is calibrated, I had the same jaw dropping experience. I was again speechless with what I heard. I never had anything that sounded this good until now. It sounded like Dave and Tim were just playing live in front of me "in the same room." The sound of the acoustic guitars were very detailed. You can hear every squick, every strum of the guitar in detail like nothing I have heard before.
The harmony of the S series speakers with the PB12NSD is truly a perfect match IMHO. My HT has never sounded this good from the time I began this hobby. I am truly happy with this investment. If you are looking for speakers, I highly recommend SVS speakers. They are simply awesome.