ovies are mixed in rooms calibrated for film reference. To achieve the same reference level in a home theater system each speaker level must be adjusted so that –30 dBFS band-limited (500 Hz – 2000 Hz) pink noise produces 75 dB sound pressure level at the listening position. A home theater system automatically calibrated by Audyssey MultEQ will play at reference level when the master volume control is set to the 0 dB position. At that level you can hear the mix at the same level the mixers heard it.
Audyssey Dynamic EQ is referenced to the standard film mix level. It makes adjustments to maintain the reference response and surround envelopment when the volume is turned down from 0 dB. However, film reference level is not always used in music or other non-film content. The Dynamic EQ Reference Level Offset provides three offsets from the film level reference (5 dB, 10 dB, and 15 dB) that can be selected when the mix level of the content is not within the standard.
0 dB (Film Ref): This is the default setting and should be used when listening to movies.
15 dB: Select this setting for pop/rock music or other program material that is mixed at very high listening levels and has a compressed dynamic range.
10 dB: Select this setting for jazz or other music that has a wider dynamic range. This setting should also be selected for TV content as that is usually mixed at 10 dB below film reference.
5 dB: Select this setting for content that has a very wide dynamic range, such as classical music.
...
can you please clarify what happen with Dynamic EQ once I raise the volume to 0db or more?
will it still try to touch the balance?
Yes, Dynamic EQ will operate above 0 dB on the master volume to preserve the reference balance.
...
what about at exactly 0db?
It's not needed at 0 dB because you are already at reference level.
...
Reference is the level at which movies are mixed. Most people at home listen 10-20 dB down from there. In the past, this would change how you perceive the balance of low and high frequencies in the mix because of human hearing differences at lower volumes. But, Dynamic EQ addresses that so you can hear the proper balance at lower volumes. It's highly unlikely that it will damage your hearing to listen at reference for a couple of hours per day (i.e. during a movie). You listen at reference every time you go to the movie theater.