I need your opinions on how to set up an hi-fi setup. I've bought a calibrated mic for measurement, I downloaded Spectra Lab, I tested it with internal pink noise and I had a very flat response on the screen (this tell me that program/PC/sound card are working properly).
So I connected the mic to my sound card input and start to do measurement.
After few tests, many questions come to my head.

1. Should I have the same response curve than in the cinema? So, flat wheight and -3dB per octave after 2k?
2. Subwoofer level. I believed that subwoofer should stays at the same level of front channels. So I recorded a band limited pink noise, I played through subwoofer and set subwoofer to have the same level on the RTA.

In this way, however, bass frequency seems a little poor for me.

Anyone has any suggestions?

1, if you are talking home set up like bed room or livving room it can be done but, getting the propper curve and having the sound sound right is very dificult. You have a lot of furniture a bed couch and hard walls to deal with. A lot of bouncing around and absorbtion in the sound. What I have done in the past when possable is hook up designated 10 band graphic equalizers to each channel. Now to do that you need a designated pre amp output and amp imput for each channel. THen you can equally adjust each channel to achieve a given to ear sound response. Basically trial and error till you get it the way you want.

2, If it is a computer set up don't bother in my opinion. Computer sound cards and programs like to change the way the sound is represented and use 3D technology to enhance the sound.

The final project is a dedicated home theater setup. It will be a preamp with equalizers for all output. In the meantime I was trying to equalize my home theater in my bedroom in stereo mode.
I realize that it is hard to found a good compromise between place and taste but I believe that a mic can help you founding a "standara" setup from wich you can start playing (like bass/high, sub level ecc.).

About my previous question, it was my mistake! I realize a DTS CD with pink noise sound and I forgot that DTS LFE was set to +6. This is why in pro logic I had poor bass frequencies!

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For instance, I "lost" the calibrated mic that came with the RTA (actually, that mic was STOLEN) and to get a new mic, I had to send the RTA back so that the new mic could be calibrated to it (or vice-versa).

My point being that I didn't know it was possible to just "buy a calibrated mic."

Perhaps "calibrated" is not the right term. I mean that I've bought a very linear mic abut, actually, I don't have any real measurement of SPL.

Gordon,
Thanks for the info. About the sub, I reset the levels and now I have good bass, both in multichannel (+10dB) and in stereo (+0dB).

A question: the hard bass boost (like disco music) is realized in recording (boosting the low bass) or in reproduction (boosting the sub)?

How much "far less" the roll off?

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Thanks for the info on ISO curve. I'll have a search on Internet, perhaps I'll found something.

About ultra bass: I'm not going to record it or buy something. I wonder this. In cinema soundtracks subwoofer channel is set 10dB higher to have more headroom for very loud effects (up to 113db).
In Dolby Stereo subbass channel is just there to have more bass extension on the lowest frequencies but at the same leve, right?

So, if I set my Hi-Fi subwoofer for +0dB versus main speakers, I will have just the freq. responce flat up to, say, 30Hz.

But what about disco music? What about hi-fi music when the lowest frequencies are intended to be loud as at the theater?
Is it possibile to have them very loud with a sound system set to +0dB (so playing with the channel's recording) or should the system have to be set like a theater so with, say, +10dB on the sub channel?

Just a curiosity. I hope that I was clear

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By the way, if you still think you hear an audible improvement, do consider buying the Film-Tech line of speaker cables. Price ranges from $20-100/foot depending on the gauge and is made from genuine zip cord.

Brad and gordon, cabels do actually make a difference. I dont want you to to think less of me because of this reply, I have the greatest respect and admiration for the both of you. I have been working with home theaters now for about 10 years. The only thing i can really say that i agree with the both of you on "Cable wise" is that the copper cabel itself doesnt make a difference but more of how well the cabel is ligned with shielding material to eliminate interference of anykind. I consider the interconnect the most important part of the system ( and the first most missunderstood aspect of a soundsystem ) so that cabel has to be the best cabel in the whole rig. Now the second most important cabel is the speaker cable the second most miss understood aspect of a soundsystem. You can get by with less shielding on these cabels than you can with the interconnect. Know i know what you guys are thinking ( what a load of shit this guy is feeding us ) I know how long you guys have been in the bizz and i know how intelligent you guys are in the field of sound. I really think you guys are miss-understanding me in this area so please listen to what i haft to say.

On a entry home set up( be it 2 channel or 6 channel), hi end cabel will not give you a noticeable difference. The problem is with the system and the components you use. The "cable" just preserves the sound your sending through your components and to your speakers. If your components are cheap your going to get cheap sound no matter what kind of cable your using. My advice to Antonio was to experiment with different cable, since he is in the theater bizz and does work on sound systems.I assume he has a better than average home soundsystem. Its way cheaper than buying expensive equalizers for each channel and and making his home setup more complicated than it should be.

The only real benefit you get from hi-end cabel on a entry level system is good connection between your components and speakers.

Now on a mid level and high-end system you have to use the good or the best stuff in cable. Because the components are made better or alot better, the good or best cabel will preserve your sound from beginning to end. The cable i use is for mid to hi-end home systems. I currently run a mid level home system at home so i use a cable that best preserves my sound from components to speakers.I want to be able to hear the most from from my players,processors and speakers and i would think you do to.

Give me your reasons why you think high end cable is a gimmick.