So I've done some calibrations -
1. Set receiver (used as pre-amp) volume to 0dB (Powered subwoofer volume also set to 0dB)
2. Use 'Internal Volume' mode with JRiver MC19 (Win8.1Pro) through HDMI
3. Entered measured speaker distance in 'Room Correction'
4. Run JRiver's 'Volume Calibration' clips (narrow band pink noise at -20dBFS) for 5.1ch @ 192Khz
5. Used 'Set level from decibel meter' to enter each speaker number at 'Room Correction'
6. Subwoofer volume level was automatically set to -8.4dB in 'Room Correction'
7. Run the 'Volume Calibration' clips again and measured 83dB at 96% internal volume
8. Set the 'Internal Volume Reference Level' to 96
9. Enabled loudness
Two things that I observe now -
1. Some songs are loud... For reference songs from Mezzanine can peak 90dB at 50% Internal Volume. (Regardless of Loudness)
2. Subwoofer for some songs is
much too loud with loudness enabled, like one of those "Bass Boost" buttons.
Other info -
1. I measured using dB(C)
2. I used Ipad 4 with SPLnFFT as an SPL meter (until I'll get a real one..) after reading it was tested to be comparable with a 2000$ SPL meter here:
http://www.safetyawakenings.com/safety-app-of-the-week-42/3. I use JRSS Mixing, only mix stereo to 2.1
4. I use JRSS Subwoofer at 60Hz with Subclarity enabled
5. I use Bass Management in Room Correction to 'Remove bass below crossover', at 60Hz 12 dB/octave
6. My Sub is JL Audio E112 and is treated nicely for room modes with DSPeaker AntiMode 8033 (Added 2.5ft to Sub's distance to account for the AntiMode's latency)
7. Since the change to 0dB I live in fear waiting for some glitch to play something really loud and wreak havoc in the system or worse, my ears or worse, my poor blind cat's ears
(Funny perhaps but it's true)
Thanks for anyone helping,
Ron