[zorax2]

I think it would be very helpful for John to suggest 80 dB as the common set point in the help files. After getting the suggestion from someone else on Home Theater Shack to try this, I also found the 80 dB setting much easier to use.

First, it solved my problem with the "Set Input Volume" on REW maxing out which required changing the Radio Shack SPL level from the 80 dB setting to 70 dB. I think there is maybe a quirk in REW whereas you are calibrating at 75 dB (the 80 dB setting minus 5 dB), you run a greater chance of the calibration not working. Whereas if you start the calibration at 80 dB on the Radio Shack meter, the meter has more room both plus and minus to measure within that scale. Hopefully my explanation of this quirk makes sense. As I was learning to use REW, I ran into this problems a number of times frustrating me. Had I started with all the settings at 80 dB, I don't think I would have run into that problem.

Second, the 80 dB setting, as you have mentioned, is so much easier to read with the needle centered. In my case, all my computer cables to the soundcard, receiver, and BFD are short with the only long cable being the one to the Radio Shack meter at my listening position. It is sure nice to simply see the needle centered at 80 dB as opposed to running back and forth while adjusting to make sure the needle centered at 75 dB.

I'm glad to hear you had already tried calibrating at different volumes. Again, from a newbie's perspective, it's nice to understand what works and doesn't and most importantly to get a consistent methodology for everyone to follow for easy results. It seems a number of folks over at AVS were in fear of the BFD / REW setup - the more clear and concise the instructions we can post, the easier it will be to get folks using either of the BFD equalizers or the SMS-1 to use John's awesome product.