Anyone know of a site that tells you optimal surround sound settings for recievers?
 

I have an old Yamaha HTR-5590 and my cousin comes over and tells me his SS sounds WAY better than mine when he's playing CoD4.

I've been tinkering with this system and wanted to know if it's something I can find online to take the guess work out.

Well, just like video settings, optimal audio settings can be quite subjective. Out of curiosity, how are you connected (optical, HDMI; directly from Xbox or PS3, through the TV) and what audio setting do you play on (straight Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, 6 Channel Stereo, or one of the countless other Dolby variations)?

No one can tell you the optimal settings for it, because there is no way to replicate the acoustics of your room. Just tinker with it until you find something that satisfies you.

Dolby Digital mostly connected optically directly from XBOX360...
my main points was to calibrate the front surround sounds.
Basically, I have 2 JBL 3 way fronts with an 8" woofer , 4" mid & 1" tweet.
I don't know what levels I shouldn't allow to go to those and basically all speakers.

That always confuses me. the Hz... khz, etc.

Don't they have DVDs that help you to do this?

I just prep it to my tastes by ear.

It's different for gaming though... my cousin says he can shoot someone upstairs by knowing exactly where they are because of his surround sound.
That's how I'd like mine.

Hmmm. Guess I would just say play with it until you get it where you want it then. I am certainly not aware of anyplace that breaks it down like you are asking though.

He's full of bull...Until you go over there and actually play it and see if that's the case, I wouldn't buy it. He should be able to tell behind, left, right, in front, but up? He's lying.

I am certain he can only mean he knows it is up by the sound it makes and not the direction of said sound. If he can actually tell they are "up" by the sound in his surround sound set up, then yes, he is lying.

You hear a sound coming from your front left. It sounds as if it is footsteps on the floor above because your brain makes that connection from the sound effect used. Hence, you assume the sound is to your front left and up.

No.

Tweaking your sound is something that you have to do yourself, and it is entirely by feel. The biggest thing is to calibrate it from a couple of different places in the room where people may sit to make sure you avoid dead spots.

You can use one of these and adjust each channel to be equal from the sweet-spot(s).
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-digital...i-2103667.html

I recently bought a Denon receiver that comes with a microphone to automatically setup the receiver to your exact room. You place the microphone in six seating locations, and it sends this sonar-like pulse to the mic to measure the distance and channel level. It's really cool. I recommend one.
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3631.asp

Let me clarify:
I'm not worried about sweet or dead spots as the room is filled with sound.
I want to know what Hz or kHz should be allowed through each channel?

For instance... I don't want anything above 80kHz (?) going through my LFE or sub?
I don't want anything below * going through my center, LF, RF, RR, LR?

I need to know those numbers as i don't understand the Hz, KHz, aspect of it.

In a nutshell... aka. Hertz 101. .... khz = 1000 hz. normal audio range to human error ~30 hz to 18Khz (18000 hz). Based on how much damage ears. (# rock shows, etc). The high end goes first....

Adjustment Depending on room size/dimensions...

A good Bass crossover point for Subwoofer ~40-60 hz. Set it on your sub if that's adjustable or just use the CD for setup.

Feed to LR/RF/LR/RR remainder.

Center channel designed for Voice range ~ 800 hz to 3000 hz.

adjustment on volume from each is a room dimension issue/preference where you sit.

anyone using a good receiver right now? I'm looking for a 7.1 system that will pass through 1080p to my tv. Suggestions?

The Onkyo TX-SR805 is widely considered to be the best under $1000 receiver ever made. It has Burr Brown DACs (unreal sound), can decode all of the new sound formats, and is incredibly robustly built.