I know that I am supposed to use a pink noise generator and a SPL meter to test my setup. Does this mean I need to get a test CD with Pink Noise on it? What is pink noise? What is the noise that comes out of my speakers when I use the mode in my receiver that allows me to adjust all of the speakers to an equal level? Kenwood only refers to it as a test tone. Is it Pink Noise? If I need to get a test CD what should I get? I found a Dolby test CD in a store, but nothing on it referred to 5.1. It just referred to Front-left, center and right* Rear-left, and right. I didn't see anything about sub on it. Any advice would be helpful.

Think:
No.
See next answer.
Pink noise.
Yes.
Avia or Video Essentials if you want other setup help.
If there's separate left and right in the rears, it's 5-channel. The sub is the '.1', because it's roughly a tenth of the full bandwidth.

Actually, there is a good simulation of pink noise in interstation FM hiss. Pink noise is a variation of white noise, which is an equal distribution of all frequencies. Pink noise has a heavier bass weighting because it's based on equal energy level instead of equal voltage level.

There's a difference between 20 Hz to 200 Hz than there is between 200Hz and 2000Hz. The difference is equal in ratio, but not actual number of frequencies. i.e., 2000/200 = 200/20 (10), but 2000 - 200 (1800) does not equal 200 - 20 (180).

The receiver-contained noise generator is okay as far as overall system balance is concerned, but leaves the DVD player out of the loop. As far as which is a better source, the ideal is that each audio/video source has it's own source of noise, so if there is any difference in the way the device decodes or delivers the audio, that is taken into consideration.

It's kind of like balancing car tires on the vehicle, so if the brake drum or rotor has a slight imbalance, that is compensated for. The important thing is to get into the habit of balancing channels last before watching a movie, especially if you have changed any other parameters.

Larry

Larry, Please forgive me if I sound a bit ignorant, but if I understand you correctly, the "test tone" generated by the receiver is fine for selecting balance. I don't quite understand what you mean by "it leaves the DVD player out of the loop." If the test tone leaves the DVD player out of the loop, than what test puts it "in the loop?" Are you saying to play the test DVD in the DVD player? And if so, then again, you are recommending the ones you mentioned? Thanks for your great advice. You are The Man.

Exactly right. To include any channel imbalances from the DVD player, a test DVD's tone will give you a more accurate balance than the receiver's tone will.

However, we're talking a smaller difference than the resolution of the sound meter will display. In other words, you probably won't be able to discern a difference.

However again, there are other tests available on the discs that make them valuable for system setup, so do consider one.

Which one? Read available info about each, and see if any omit something you find important. Otherwise, it doesn't really matter; you usually use them once, or at most, only occasionally.

Larry

Think,

A couple of non technical notes (I just got into this a few weeks ago, so it is still fresh in my mind). First, if you don't already own an SPL meter: Don't make the mistake I did and buy a digital one. They're more expensive and actually harder to use. Radio Shack makes a really nice analog model for (I think) about $40. Second, although your receiver's test tone (which is pink noise) will let give you a good basic balance, I would highly recommend investing in the Avia or a comparable disk. Larry (as always) has listed several reasons why, and at least on my system there was a variance when I fed the noise through the DVD via the Avia disk. Also, the Avia has many other calibration signals available, including video, is stuffed full of great advice of a whole range of subjects, and generally has become an essential part of my library. Since I have never used Video Essentials I can't address that one, but I am a fan of the Avia. I bought mine on-line from Crutchfield.