What is the normal listening level on the Sony STR DG-710 rcvr?

Question

I advance the level on the display screen to about 24 before I even get sound. Then I must increase it to about 34 for normal listening. Is this normal? The folks at Sony can not give me an answer because it is not on their script of questions the work from, where ever they are located.

Answer 1

GOOD QUESTION!

The sad fact is, there is no "standard" for volume control readings across the manufacturer spectrum. Some brands, like Denon for example, or even higher lines like B&K, have "very loud" at like (minus) -24!

So, if your listening enjoyment starts at a certain number, then that's how your particular volume attenuation is calibrated.

DO CHECK 2 things though, just to make sure: Your "native volume level" will best be understood by putting your receiver to FM and tune in a good, strong local station. Then set the volume to your "normal" level.

Good. Now switch to a rock'n'roll CD.

How is the volume? Louder, softer, 'bout the same?

Finally, select your cable TV input on the receiver. If the voume is MUCH lower there, check to make sure that THE CABLE BOX REMOTE volume control isn't set too low. If it was, you may want to change a menu setting in the cable box:

In the "audio" section, locate something that gives you the choices; "fixed" or "variable". Yours was probably set to "variable" and you want to be on the other, "fixed". This will ensure that the jacks on the back of your cable box are putting out the full audio signal to your receiver.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Answer 2

Well, The folks at Sony do not have your speakers (they all produce different volume for the same amount of power), and not everyone sits at the same distance to the speakers that you do. And not everyones hearing is the same.

This is why nobody can tell you what the typical volume setting is.

My advice: go to Radio Shack and buy an analog or digital SPL meter. This measures sound pressure (aka "volume").

Sit with the SPL meter at the primary listening position, angled up 45 degrees above the TV. Start the "Test Tone" feature on the receiver or use a DVD setup disk. Adjust the main volume until the L & R speakers are playing at 75 db according to the meter. Then use the recevier setup menu to adjust the center volume to 75 db, then each of the L/R rear speakers.

(Note: Video Essentials or Avia DVD's have a tutorial that take you through these steps. The "Sound and Vision" setup DVD does as well).

Dont make the newbie mistake and assume you should listen to your system at the 75 db volume level. It is way too loud. In general, you will adjust the volume differently for each source (CD, TV, DVD), but using the SPL meter gives you a calibrated system (so all your speakers produce the same volume), and a way to measure volume.