Center Channel volume

[alphamajor]

Recently I moved into a new apartment, having previously been in a house. Due to these circumstances, I can no longer watch movies as the volume levels I would previously. This has lead me to noticing something about my center channel. While it is crystal clear at higher levels, and the dialouge is easily understood, at lower levels like I'm listening to now, it seems a bit quiet, enough that some quiet/background dialouge is not understandable. My setup is as follows:

Receiver: HK AVR-130
Center: Focal.JMLab Chorus S CC700
Mains: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 726
Surround: Focal.JMLab Chorus S 705

There is still plenty of dynamic range from the mains at lower levels. One thing I have not done is gotten the ever-so-popular Rat Shack SPL meter to check my system. Even so, I have no test CD/DVD to use and only have the built in noise test of the HK receiver.

Your thoughts/ideas and opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Warpdrv]

Pick up a spl meter, the internal test tones will allow you to adjust speakers levels and hopefully get you to where you need to be... you can also buy a disk, http://www.amazon.com/AVIA-Guide-Home-Theater/dp/630551982X
IMO.. SPL meter is essential..
that will help you with alot more then just speaker level, if you still need it....

Good luck..

 

[ronnie 1.8]

SPL meter is essential..
that will help you with alot more then just speaker level, if you still need it....

Good luck..

What can be done w/ the SPL meter other than measure sound pressure levels? I have this meter.

 

[mtrycrafts]

What can be done w/ the SPL meter other than measure sound pressure levels? I have this meter.

You use it to level match all channels using internal or external test tones. You can plot in room frequency response of the room speaker interface.

 

[MDS]

What can be done w/ the SPL meter other than measure sound pressure levels? I have this meter.

Other than using it to calibrate levels, if you are ever in the mood to see the maximum SPL level your system can produce you can set the meter to A weighting, Fast response and measure the absolute SPL. You might want to wear hearing protection when you do that.

 

[avliner]

...and also use the SPL as a microphone - if if don't have one - to run up an AVR auto setup procedure, though.

When I had my 3805, I didn't get the optional mic. and used to do lots of setups using either the SPL and a pro mic. as well.

In other hand, it's not recommended to use other devices; only the original mic., as it's properly calibrated, though.

Cheers.