Multi-Channel Music Listening

[Ras777]

Hi All
Sorry for this stupid question but is there a way to easily adjust the level of my LCR speakers when I am listening to multi-channel music without changing what Audyssey calculated. My system sounds great with movies but when listening to music my surrounds drown out the LCR speakers. I am using a Marantz SR6007 for the surrounds and an Emotiva XPA-3 for the LCR and have a 7.2 configuration. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[j_garcia]

If the 6007 allows multiple EQs, you can copy the Audessey one and modify the new one to suit music. That means you have to go into the menu to switch between them though, if you have the ability to do it. I have the same issue but my Emotiva has "tweaks" for each channel that are only active until you turn off the unit.

 

[Montucky]

What's your media player? I never thought about this usage before, but I wonder if you had something like an Oppo with analog multi-channel outs, if you used the HDMI input on the receiver for movies, and then used the multi-channel inputs on the receiver for SACD multi-channel music, then each would easily have their own distinct sound profiles based on the input the receiver's using. Hmmm. I'll have to think about this one for a moment.

 

[j_garcia]

What's your media player? I never thought about this usage before, but I wonder if you had something like an Oppo with analog multi-channel outs, if you used the HDMI input on the receiver for movies, and then used the multi-channel inputs on the receiver for SACD multi-channel music, then each would easily have their own distinct sound profiles based on the input the receiver's using. Hmmm. I'll have to think about this one for a moment.

That's how I used to do it too and is the best way ultimately, but some AVRs today don't have 7.1 inputs anymore. As for Oppo, well getting a new one might be tough. You may have to look used.

 

[sterling shoote]

If you have an OPPO, the analog output of each channel can be set to desired level and crossover, including the sub, for analog output.

 

[Ras777]

Thank you for the quick responses. I will try to adjust the output of each channel thru my Oppo player. So this begs the question why are my surrounds playing so much louder than my LCR during Multi-channel music listening? I don't have this problem with movies. Not sure if I can copy multiple EQs from Audyssey.

 

[2channel lover]

Hi All
Sorry for this stupid question but is there a way to easily adjust the level of my LCR speakers when I am listening to multi-channel music without changing what Audyssey calculated. My system sounds great with movies but when listening to music my surrounds drown out the LCR speakers. I am using a Marantz SR6007 for the surrounds and an Emotiva XPA-3 for the LCR and have a 7.2 configuration. Thanks in advance for the advice.

Some Multi-Channel music sends a bit more content to the surrounds than others, but still a bit weird for discrete channels to have surrounds drown out the fronts. If it's a matrix, I can see it happening more so. In either case, via your Marantz you may have the ability to go into setup and tweak individual speaker post Audyssey.

 

[j_garcia]

For multichannel music it often depends on the disc itself, as in who did the mix. I've found a lot of them use too much rear channel activity for things that really don't add much to the experience. Music mixes tend to be very different that movies too, so there isn't a single answer. Using the Oppo to adjust the levels at the unit before it goes to the AVR is the best method IMO.

 

[lovinthehd]

Can't think of any of my multich music discs having the surrounds overpower my mains. I'd check your calibration. What are your discs that are doing this? Or are you matrixing into multich from 2ch sources? Or?

 

[2channel lover]

For multichannel music it often depends on the disc itself, as in who did the mix. I've found a lot of them use too much rear channel activity for things that really don't add much to the experience. Music mixes tend to be very different that movies too, so there isn't a single answer. Using the Oppo to adjust the levels at the unit before it goes to the AVR is the best method IMO.

My experience is limited, but has mostly been good to great with MC SACD and the handful of Bluray audio discs I've bought.

I've finally got around to connecting the B&W 804m (in lieu of the RB5i) to the rear to see if there was much difference...for some MC SACD discs there is some difference...for movies, not so much. I'm still giving those to my son when he moves out (he's finally giving us a date now...lol)...I can see going with a pair of BMRs or Phil BS with the RAAL tweeter at some point.

 

[2channel lover]

Can't think of any of my multich music discs having the surrounds overpower my mains. I'd check your calibration. What are your discs that are doing this? Or are you matrixing into multich from 2ch sources? Or?

I haven't either...my thought in bold as well.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I haven't either...my thought in bold as well.

This is definitely possible. 2ch to PLIIx will do that for sure.

My question is, is DynamicEq on? My surrounds get obnoxious with Deq on.

 

[Ras777]

Ok, I am listening to my CD's, not SACD's so I guess this is what you mean by matrixing? Most of my CDs are old from the 80s but I also have this problem when listening to Pandora thru my Oppo player. I tried to adjust the trim levels thru Oppo player but this had no effect. I don't see a way to adjust individual trim levels with Audyssey on so I tried turning it off and to my surprise, I could hear my towers again! I checked all the measurements that Audyssey calculated and they were spot on. Could it have something to do with having LCR and surrounds powered by different amps? Or does Audyssey and multi-channel music listening typically cause these issues?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Ok, I am listening to my CD's, not SACD's so I guess this is what you mean by matrixing? Most of my CDs are old from the 80s but I also have this problem when listening to Pandora thru my Oppo player. I tried to adjust the trim levels thru Oppo player but this had no effect. I don't see a way to adjust individual trim levels with Audyssey on so I tried turning it off and to my surprise, I could hear my towers again! I checked all the measurements that Audyssey calculated and they were spot on. Could it have something to do with having LCR and surrounds powered by different amps? Or does Audyssey and multi-channel music listening typically cause these issues?

So cds would be 2ch. “Matrixed” would mean artificially expanding to the other speakers. Usually this means PLIIx or pro logicII x. If DynamicEq is enabled, the bass, and surround speakers will be louder to accommodate lower(than reference) level listening.

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok, I am listening to my CD's, not SACD's so I guess this is what you mean by matrixing? Most of my CDs are old from the 80s but I also have this problem when listening to Pandora thru my Oppo player. I tried to adjust the trim levels thru Oppo player but this had no effect. I don't see a way to adjust individual trim levels with Audyssey on so I tried turning it off and to my surprise, I could hear my towers again! I checked all the measurements that Audyssey calculated and they were spot on. Could it have something to do with having LCR and surrounds powered by different amps? Or does Audyssey and multi-channel music listening typically cause these issues?

You did run Audyssey with the external amps installed? When trying to adjust trim levels in the Oppo did you use the analog connections to your avr?

 

[Ras777]

Yes, Audyssey was run with the Emotiva XPA-3 driving my LCR's. My only connection from the Oppo player to my Marantz is an HDMI cable. When I turn off Audyssey it turns off Dynamic EQ so I guess this is why it sounds more balanced. So with a set up like mine what is the preferred way to play CDs or stream music for multi-channel listening?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Yes, Audyssey was run with the Emotiva XPA-3 driving my LCR's. My only connection from the Oppo player to my Marantz is an HDMI cable. When I turn off Audyssey it turns off Dynamic EQ so I guess this is why it sounds more balanced. So with a set up like mine what is the preferred way to play CDs or stream music for multi-channel listening?

I leave Audyssey on but turn off deq.

 

[lovinthehd]

I leave Audyssey on but turn off deq.

And some like bypass L/R and use DEQ...an avr at least provides tuning options....

 

[sterling shoote]

I relyed on OPPOs tone generator for all channel level and crossover adjustment cues. This is because my Sony TA-P9000es is an all analog multi-channel preamp with very limited means to trim channels. I'm totally satisfied with results. I used a sound meter app on my iPhone, in addition to my ears to initially set levels. Setting the sub was most difficult, since low volume music generally requires more gain in the 40 to 20 cps region than when playing movies at a realistic level. But, now to my point about bass: in my scenario, initial set-up of level and crossover points presented too much surround channel bass violin presence in a few of my multi-channel Diana Krall multi-channel SACDs. Interestingly, I discovered my favorite listening position was too close to the surrounds; however, Instead of changing the OPPOs settings I just rearranged my sofa to accommodate more seating options.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, Audyssey was run with the Emotiva XPA-3 driving my LCR's. My only connection from the Oppo player to my Marantz is an HDMI cable. When I turn off Audyssey it turns off Dynamic EQ so I guess this is why it sounds more balanced. So with a set up like mine what is the preferred way to play CDs or stream music for multi-channel listening?

I suppose that depends on the music itself, room/setup and maybe even the specific avr implementation of Audyssey; all boils down to your own preferences. You could simply go into speaker levels when playing music and move the surrounds down a bit then back up for movies...altho that is not an elegant solution it would seemingly work for your purposes. I have heard this complaint more with XT than XT32, too fwiw. If you want the Oppo to control trim level pretty sure you need the analog connection; I haven't played with those types of features on my 203, tho....