Novice to say the least. HELP!!

[Ngpaw]

I have a marantz 7012 av receiver with definitive tech 9080’s in front. 9080 center and the 9080 surrounds in back. I want to be blown away with the sound but I am not . Do I need a pre amp. And what would be a great pairing ( if one is needed ) thank you ahead of time

 

[lovinthehd]

You mean power amp? Your avr has a pre-amp, and you'd use its pre-outs to use an external amp with. I'd choose the amp by power and impedance handling desired, if that's what you mean by pairing. It may not make the difference you're looking for, tho. It might be the speakers just don't do it for you, hard to know what you mean by "blown away" too. How much you want to spend to find out? Might play around with this to get an idea of power used/needed http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

You don't mention subwoofers, could help out.

 

[Leemix]

More information about the system and what you mean by blown away, do you mean more bass?

Have you run the auto setup in a proper way?

As lovin’ said, what sub(s)?


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[Ngpaw]

First off thanks. The def techs in front have self powered subs . By blown away. I am looking to hear all the little things with more detail , leaves crushed. Horses running.

 

[Ngpaw]

First off thanks. The def techs in front have self powered subs . By blown away. I am looking to hear all the little things with more detail , leaves crushed. Horses running.

And yes I did the calibration

 

[Leemix]

What levels were the speakers set to and how is sub/crossovers set or are all speakers just set to ‘large’?


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[Leemix]

Do you have audyssey dynamic EQ on and dynamic volume off?
What main volume do you play movies at?


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[lovinthehd]

First off thanks. The def techs in front have self powered subs . By blown away. I am looking to hear all the little things with more detail , leaves crushed. Horses running.

They're more powered woofers than actual subs. Plus with actual subs you can place them better to deal with room modes. Maybe you'd like different speakers if you want more "detail". You sure it's there in the content in the first place? Maybe something with Raal tweeters might be what you're looking for at a guess....the Marantz has as much detail as an external amp would bring....

 

[Leemix]

Is this a problem with many movies/shows or just one or two?


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[lovinthehd]

Another thing to think about that's free is working on ideal speaker placement, got a pic or diagram of placement/seating now?

 

[Ngpaw]

Ok so I have at this time dynamic EQ. OFF as well with the dynamic volume Fronts are set large. Center large. Subs none Surround small. And Dolby front small. Crossover is set to all at 80 Hz

 

[Ngpaw]

Ok again want to say thanks to all. I put both dynamic EQ and dynamic to heavy and also dialog level adjust to on. Hear a difference. Now have to check out. Thanks Very cool people

 

[lovinthehd]

Dynamic EQ has a sister setting called Reference Level Offset (RLO) which you can review this info for https://audyssey.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/212347383-Dynamic-EQ-and-Reference-Level

Personally I don't use Dynamic Volume (its a dynamic compression routine....might be good for late night when trying not to bother others in your house, tho).

 

[Leemix]

Dynamic Volume should be off preferably, it compresses the sound so it wont bother sleeping kids and such. Its not really a solution as much as a bad band-aid for your use.

Can you describe or post a pic of the room?


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[William Lemmerhirt]

Ok so I have at this time dynamic EQ. OFF as well with the dynamic volume Fronts are set large. Center large. Subs none Surround small. And Dolby front small. Crossover is set to all at 80 Hz

I’m curious about this. You didn’t list any DAE speakers in the OP. So I’m wondering if I missed something? And also, since you have 9080’s all around, you might as well leave the surrounds as large too. Since the only thing setting to small might do is send the redirected bass to the mains, depending on how you have them set. Might as well not give them the burden imo. Also, this might sting, but I’m going to advocate for at least one real subwoofer. I’m not picking, so don’t get me wrong. But there’s just no substitute for a true subwoofer, and those towers can’t compete.
As far as details, and subtleties. I think the DT’s should convey that pretty well. As I understand they seem to have an elevated treble response more than other speakers. Also, if the room is very “live”, as in lots of reflections, that can smear details because the later reflected sounds cover up the new sounds. If that makes sense.

 

[Trebdp83]

I'm curious how an 80hz crossover is in use for ALL when Fronts are set to Large and Sub set to None. No matter, I'd set all of them to Small with an 80hz crossover. I'd make LFE connections from the Marantz' Sub Pre Outs to the Fronts' LFE inputs. Set the Marantz' LPF to 120hz and the Bass Control knob on the speakers to twelve o' clock. Let the Marantz sort it all out, not the speakers set at Large. If a separate Sub is added to the mix, one will have to switch to the LFE+Main setting if the Fronts go from LFE connections back to just speaker wire connections and Large size settings. Have fun with it and welcome to the forums!

 

[Trebdp83]

You know, these speakers are interesting but trying to do many things in a single box. After adjusting the sizes and crossovers, you might try using the Center Pre Out of the Marantz to the Center Channel speaker as well. This will give you the ability to turn the bass up or down in the center if you don't like the sound of it. I think you may find you can clear things up a bit and have things sound more precise but I'm just guessing. Experiment, have fun!

 

[Pogre]

Can you post any images of how you have your speakers placed? Room acoustics and placement have a huge impact and a lot of folks overlook it.

I agree that some subwoofage might help out a little too, but let's make sure you have everything set up as optimally as you can first.

 

[Leemix]

You know, these speakers are interesting but trying to do many things in a single box. After adjusting the sizes and crossovers, you might try using the Center Pre Out of the Marantz to the Center Channel speaker as well. This will give you the ability to turn the bass up or down in the center if you don't like the sound of it. I think you may find you can clear things up a bit and have things sound more precise but I'm just guessing. Experiment, have fun!

Wouldnt work (well) i think because the center pre out is affected by the crossovers just like the powered out. Unless you want to boost the bass extra for the center running it full range with added gain but the center isnt good for that with speech intelligibility.


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[Trebdp83]

Yes, I was thinking the same since it would be crossed at 80hz but wondered about playing with the bass gain knob on it when connected to the pre out as well. It is kinda’ silly that they labeled the input “LFE” on the center channel. I thought it once to be an actual LFE input but it is neither that nor a straight up center channel pre out input that can be used in place of the speaker wire terminals. So, I wondered just how adjustable it is and if it makes any difference when wired that way. Weird, because they talk about it like it is a subwoofer able to handle LFE and then immediately tell you NOT to connect it to the Sub pre out.