do I have to match the db level on all speakers?

You need to balance the speakers. This is a must. The speaker distance to center listening position is also very important. If the reciever is not setup correctly,you have wasted to money you spent on it.

Tim

I don't know about your receiver, but if available, the distances from each speaker should be measured and entered, for coherent sound. White (or pink) noise is greatly preferable to a tone for setting speaker levels. I think there are DVDs and/or CDs that have such noise, if your receiver doesn't generate it. The Radio Shack sound level meter is inexpensive and good, Use the C scale and slow setting. Hold the meter near your seating position, and a bit away from you so as not to create a major acoustic shadow. Set the output of all speakers equal. Don't forget the sub, if you have one.

db

I think the distance is one thing and the db rating of the speakers is a completly different thing. The distance alone will be sufficient only if all speakers are the same, otherwise I believe an adjustment has to be made in order to set all channels to the same db level (88db or 90 db).