MultEQ's reference level target

For the record, the SMPTE reference is 85 dB SPL (C, Slow) for –20 dBFS.  There is SMPTE RP 200 that mentions –18 dBFS so that it matches the EBU standard.

In any case, MultEQ uses 85 dB for –20 dBFS as the intended level.  I am not familiar with the 82 dB reference from Onkyo.

Thanks Chris.

This is probably beyond the scope of this site, but, from a Onkyo manual: "A home theater system automatically calibrated by Audyssey MultEQ® XT32 will play at reference level when the master volume control is set to the 0 dB position.  "

When switching volume display from "Absolute" to "Relative (THX)": "The absolute value 82 is equivalent to the relative value 0 dB."

Did they simply relabel 85 to 82?

Oh.. that's something entirely different.  It's simply another way to think of the volume scale on the AVR. It has nothing to do with reference.  Onkyo found that many of their customers were confused by the reference level being 0 dB.  Many thought that this means "no sound".  So, they came up with an absolute scale that increases from 0 (no sound) to max.  It just so happens that 82 on this scale corresponds to 0 dB on the more standard relative scale.  This number has nothing to do with reference level in dB SPL. 

Sometimes trying to clarify things makes them more complicated...

Now I'm confused. "Absolute" goes from 0 to 99(?) and "Relative" from -82 to 0.

So "Relative" is absolute and "Absolute" is relative? :)

Welcome to AVR world where confusion is absolute.

Hi Chris

can you please tell me why there is a difference in SW levels (75 dB) and the measurement levels for the satellites (85 db)? Shouldn't they all be the same?

Isn't 75 dB THE level and why 75 dB?

I have measured the SPL with a meter during the measurement.

Thank you in advance.

Kind Regards

Markus

And is there a recommendation - from whom ever - saying that the the SW should be 10 dB louder than the satellites? I don't think so, but do you know something about this?

Thank you again.