New system about to go out the window

[mke1078]

I have had my "new" system for about 7 months. I currently am running an Onkyo TX-SR606 with Energy C-100 (4) and C-C100 and the ESW-8 sub. Not the best, but the deal I got on all of it is definatly worth it.

My problem is I have to turn the volume wayyyy up to hear the dialogue on movies (dvd or blue ray), but then when action starts it goes absolutely crazy. Probably wakes the baby upstairs. What can I do to get the balance I need in my system?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have had my "new" system for about 7 months. I currently am running an Onkyo TX-SR606 with Energy C-100 (4) and C-C100 and the ESW-8 sub. Not the best, but the deal I got on all of it is definatly worth it.

My problem is I have to turn the volume wayyyy up to hear the dialogue on movies (dvd or blue ray), but then when action starts it goes absolutely crazy. Probably wakes the baby upstairs. What can I do to get the balance I need in my system?

Did you set it up properly in the receiver? Speakers, size, sub, yes, levels matched with internal test tone and spl meter?
Anything interfering with the center ch. speaker?

And, if that system is about to go out the window, better strap it down

 

[mke1078]

I probably should check that setup, I did do the Auddeysey (sp.) but that might have been before the new speakers. I don't have the SPL thing. I will post back when I do that.

 

[Joeteck]

I probably should check that setup, I did do the Auddeysey (sp.) but that might have been before the new speakers. I don't have the SPL thing. I will post back when I do that.

Center channel sounds like is set way too low.... Or your center channel is not connected... With the center disconnected, you should hear a little bleed off from the center in your left and right channels...Almost distant sounding..

 

[mke1078]

Center channel sounds like is set way too low.... Or your center channel is not connected...

Thanks, but my Center is at +12db and you can hear it.

 

[Joeteck]

Thanks, but my Center is at +12db and you can hear it.

Then lower all of the other channels

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest you anchor it. Then It's less likely to go out the window.

Seriously. Try this

Disconnect your center and disable it. Run Audyssey again with as many readings as you can. Put the mike on top of a tall box or tripod(if you have one)

You're probably sitting in a bad spot for the center.

Also make sure you enable DRC. It helps bring up low volumes.

I bet it works fine after you ditch the center.

 

[speakerman39]

I have had my "new" system for about 7 months. I currently am running an Onkyo TX-SR606 with Energy C-100 (4) and C-C100 and the ESW-8 sub. Not the best, but the deal I got on all of it is definatly worth it.

My problem is I have to turn the volume wayyyy up to hear the dialogue on movies (dvd or blue ray), but then when action starts it goes absolutely crazy. Probably wakes the baby upstairs. What can I do to get the balance I need in my system?

I would re-run audyssey and make sure you use the (2) distinct measuring points of reference. Then, I would double check distances, settings, and etc. to confirm nothing is out of the ordinary. After doing that, I would double-check my levels by using a RS SPL meter and the pink noise generated by your 606. If you want to be even more specific, why not get the Rives test CD II which already compensate for the RS SPL meters non-linearity. Here is a link:

http://www.rivesaudio.com/software/TestCD.html


If, after doing all of this and your still not satisfied try running the center speaker 2-3 db hotter than the rest of your speakers. This should do the trick assuming you have your speakers positioned correctly. Try this and get back to us. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[Joeteck]

Should he put it back after the recalibration? or just make it a 4.1 system?

 

[speakerman39]

I suggest you anchor it. Then It's less likely to go out the window.

Seriously. Try this

Disconnect your center and disable it. Run Audyssey again with as many readings as you can. Put the mike on top of a tall box or tripod(if you have one)

You're probably sitting in a bad spot for the center.

Also make sure you enable DRC. It helps bring up low volumes.

I bet it works fine after you ditch the center.

Oh yeah, forgot about using a Tripod. Very good point.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[mke1078]

Thanks to all for your help to this point. I have sat in every position in the room. The problem only happens when using the blue ray, not tv or xbox. I guess I should double check my settings and run everything again like suggested.
Thanks again.

Also, I have a C-C50, the smaller center channel. Could I use that in the rear, as a rear center channel?

 

[lsiberian]

Should he put it back after the recalibration? or just make it a 4.1 system?

I would suggest he keep it a 4.1 system if he's satisfied. Then he can sell the center. Centers aren't always good additions to a system. They are situational speakers.

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks to all for your help to this point. I have sat in every position in the room. The problem only happens when using the blue ray, not tv or xbox. I guess I should double check my settings and run everything again like suggested.
Thanks again.

Also, I have a C-C50, the smaller center channel. Could I use that in the rear, as a rear center channel?

center channels tend to be bad compromises in loudspeaker design. I suggest never buying one unless it's a must for you. I see them as a waste of space in many setups. The LR channels do a good job of approximating the center and usually have better sound. Plus with the money you save on the center you can spend more on the LR channels.

 

[jamie2112]

If you do end up throwing your "new"system out the window could you please take a video of it.I have always wanted to see a system thrown out a window.. That would be cool.......

 

[cerwinmad]

wellllllllll

I had the same problem with my onkyo 503, i found some movies are worse than others such as "wanted", anyway i found getting the speaker distance settings correct fixed it, when you adjust this on the center or fronts you can hear the sound change. i had my center measurement wrong, and after adjustment it was fine. there is settings in audio setup that may help. center image, which lowers the left/right channel level by -6dB on 0 setting to give the center more weight, and at setting 5 does not lower the front levels at all. this only applies to DTS neo:6, the center width setting controls the left, center, right mix on pro logic IIx music or pro logic II music settings, hope this helps!!!!

 

[Joeteck]

center channels tend to be bad compromises in loudspeaker design. I suggest never buying one unless it's a must for you. I see them as a waste of space in many setups. The LR channels do a good job of approximating the center and usually have better sound. Plus with the money you save on the center you can spend more on the LR channels.

That's an interesting approach. But wouldn't you loose the dialog separation? Center channels are designed for dialog only and have a certain frequency response. Now if the L&R have this task, wont it sound slightly deeper and not sound correctly?

 

[mke1078]

If you do end up throwing your "new"system out the window could you please take a video of it.I have always wanted to see a system thrown out a window.. That would be cool.......

I got some old crap I could do it with, but then I doubt i could sell it.

 

[lsiberian]

That's an interesting approach. But wouldn't you loose the dialog separation? Center channels are designed for dialog only and have a certain frequency response. Now if the L&R have this task, wont it sound slightly deeper and not sound correctly?

Woah. Now that's not really the case. Center Channels are just a different type of speaker. Speakers are designed to reproduce sound.

I use a normal speaker for my center channel actually. Works great too.

The separation part depends on your room size and many other factors. But think about it this way. Would you rather have 2 300 dollar speakers or 3 200 dollar speakers. It's a question you must discover for yourself.

Try life without the center just to experiment. If you find you like it then you just saved yourself some change. If you find you can't live without it then you just discovered you need one. Either way a bad center isn't better than no center.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks to all for your help to this point. I have sat in every position in the room. The problem only happens when using the blue ray, not tv or xbox. I guess I should double check my settings and run everything again like suggested.
Thanks again.

Also, I have a C-C50, the smaller center channel. Could I use that in the rear, as a rear center channel?

How is the bluray audio connected?
If you can process 6.1 try it.

 

[3db]

My Yamaha has a setting called Dynamic Range Control that controls the loudness of the entire suite of speakers as a fucntion of volume. The lower teh volume button, the more the loudness is limited during loud scenes. The louder the volume setting, the less the loudness is limited. maybe your Onkyo has a setting similar to this.