Is something wrong?? HELP

[Ceycey]

I am starting to watch a lot of movies on amazon and for some reason my speakers are not sounding too crisp as I am used to. I hear a lot of distortions. I tried changing the all the program functions but nothing seems to work. When I am listening to music the straight stereo setting is the best. Not sure if my hearing is going or not. I just purchased a new Definitive Tech Procenter 2000 for my center speaker to go with my bookshelf Infinity kappa 5. I have mounted Mirage ceiling speakers for the back surround. I have the Yamaha RX-a840 receiver. My Living room is 18'x 27' with 10' ceilings. I have and open floor plan so my living room opens up into the dining room and kitchen. I am in the process of buying a subwoofer and have narrowed down to The HSU VTF-3 MK5 HP or the SVS PB 2000. But before making this purchase I am just wondering if I need to rethink something here. Possibly my living room is too large for what I have? Would I be better off having either another pair of smaller bookshelf on the back to replace the ceiling mounted mirage? Or should I just go with a soundbar?

Any help you can provide this newbie would be appreciated.

thanks.
Carlos.

 

[shadyJ]

My guess is the problem is occurring in the processor, something in the Yamaha receiver isn't acting right. If you have another receiver or amplifier handy, try using another amp to see if it is the Yamaha. You will have to narrow down the problem's location through deduction by trying different components.

 

[j_garcia]

Do they sound equally unclear with ALL sources or only a particular one?

 

[Ceycey]

Do they sound equally unclear with ALL sources or only a particular one?

No - When I put in a music CD it is a lot clearer in stereo mode. When I switch to 7 speaker The center speaker is more pronounce and the volume decreases some on the the main front speakers. It sounds better in stereo the best.

 

[KenM10759]

That seems like you haven't run any correction routine, such as YPAO, with the receiver after adding the center speaker.

 

[shadyJ]

No - When I put in a music CD it is a lot clearer in stereo mode. When I switch to 7 speaker The center speaker is more pronounce and the volume decreases some on the the main front speakers. It sounds better in stereo the best.

The problem is your AVR. I would run the YPAO auto correction, and then go in and set the channel levels to where they sound best to your ears.

 

[Ceycey]

The problem is your AVR. I would run the YPAO auto correction, and then go in and set the channel levels to where they sound best to your ears.

I have run this YPAO several times. I will do it again.

 

[KenM10759]

You may be getting the wrong readings off the center speaker. You should be able to bump it up by 2dB to 3dB, but if it needs more than that something else is wrong. Perhaps out of phase?

 

[lovinthehd]

If it is true 5.1 or 7.1 movies the center will get a large chunk of the audio....if 2.0 music in 7ch it would depend on your matrixing/mode used....

 

[Ceycey]

Just want to let you know that I recalibrated and tweet it a little and getting better results. Thanks for everyone's input. Truly appreciate it.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

my guess is the stream from Amazon is the culprit.

 

[mtrycrafts]

my guess is the stream from Amazon is the culprit.

I would agree with this assessment as I notice issues on Amazon and Netflix with audio quality.

 

[Ceycey]

I think you are correct. Amazon is not the best for streaming.
Thanks again.

 

[lovinthehd]

I get good quality streaming for Amazon video, dont use their music service, even with slow and fairly crappy internet service. How are speakers positioned? At what volume levels and what playback modes/settings are you getting the poorer SQ?

 

[Ceycey]

I repositioned the front speakers to the corners and recalibrated and it sounds a lot better. I am going to change the center channel to a Definitive Tech CS-9040 instead of the pro Center 2000 due to it still being under the 60 day return policy. See if that makes a difference. I have been using the 7 speaker playback mode on the yamaha. It sounds worst under the prologic . thanks for your input.

 

[lovinthehd]

I repositioned the front speakers to the corners and recalibrated and it sounds a lot better. I am going to change the center channel to a Definitive Tech CS-9040 instead of the pro Center 2000 due to it still being under the 60 day return policy. See if that makes a difference. I have been using the 7 speaker playback mode on the yamaha. It sounds worst under the prologic . thanks for your input.

Is that a matrixed 7ch surround mode or 7ch stereo? What specific settings? Are you using YPAO Volume or DRC modes?

 

[Ceycey]

It is the 7 channel Stereo. I do not know the answer to: What specific settings? Are you using YPAO Volume or DRC modes? How would I find out?

 

[Pogre]

Firstly I never listen to music or anything else in 7 channel stereo. It messes up the stereo imaging and I don't like it.

I believe YPAO volume is a setting in your avr similar to Dynamic Volume on my Marantz. It's intended for late night listening and dials back all the good stuff so you won't wake your neighbors. It would have a huge effect on sq. I believe drc does pretty much the same thing. You would find out looking in the menus. Do you have the owner's manual?

 

[Ceycey]

I do have the manual. I will look at it.

If you do not hear in 7 channel stereo what do you hear in?

 

[Pogre]

I do have the manual. I will look at it.

If you do not hear in 7 channel stereo what do you hear in?

I just use 2 channel stereo for music and for movies whatever format it's encoded in (dolby/dts/7.1/5.1). My son used to like listening to music in 7 channel stereo mode and I had him sit down and listen to what it did to the imaging. He prefers 2 channel now. If you want to fill the room with sound you don't need all your speakers going, just turn it up!