I meant to add this earlier, but I didn't have time, so here goes:
If you're adjusting levels by ear, without an SPL meter, set the receiver volume to your normal listening level, then go into the audio menu to adjust the individual levels. Start with the main speakers. Check the left and right levels individually, then play something in stereo. If the audio sounds like it's properly "centered" in the front soundstage, the levels are probably closely matched. From there, test the center channel and then the surrounds, and match them to the level of the mains.
When testing the subwoofer, keep in mind that you will have to turn it up louder than necessary for a test tone to sound roughly as loud as it does on regular speakers, which means it will likely be too loud for regular listening (i.e., a bass- or LFE-heavy movie or audio track). In that case, adjust it until it sounds roughly comparable, then dial it back a few dB. Then test with a movie track and adjust the subwoofer level up or down as desired until it seems more properly balanced with the rest of the speakers.
(If it's too soft, you won't be satisfied with how the sub "pounds"; if it's too loud, it may sound boomy or the bass may be otherwise exaggerate or out-of-balance with the rest of the speakers.)
That's how I'd do it, anyway.
If you're adjusting levels by ear, without an SPL meter, set the receiver volume to your normal listening level, then go into the audio menu to adjust the individual levels. Start with the main speakers. Check the left and right levels individually, then play something in stereo. If the audio sounds like it's properly "centered" in the front soundstage, the levels are probably closely matched. From there, test the center channel and then the surrounds, and match them to the level of the mains.
When testing the subwoofer, keep in mind that you will have to turn it up louder than necessary for a test tone to sound roughly as loud as it does on regular speakers, which means it will likely be too loud for regular listening (i.e., a bass- or LFE-heavy movie or audio track). In that case, adjust it until it sounds roughly comparable, then dial it back a few dB. Then test with a movie track and adjust the subwoofer level up or down as desired until it seems more properly balanced with the rest of the speakers.
(If it's too soft, you won't be satisfied with how the sub "pounds"; if it's too loud, it may sound boomy or the bass may be otherwise exaggerate or out-of-balance with the rest of the speakers.)
That's how I'd do it, anyway.
