How would I optimize my speakers for general TV?

[spyker99]

I just received my BIC Acoustech Cinema Series 6 Speaker System (http://www.shop.com/op/~BIC_Acoustech_Cinema_Series_6_Speaker_System-prod-40272927-53519581?sourceid=298)

Along with my Pioneer VSX-816 AVR. I tried using the auto-setup mic but after it was done auto setting up, I guess they decided my subwoofer was not necessary so they switched it off. So basically, right now, I just applied the "quick setup feature" and have been stuck since. The receiver gives me some different listening modes such as

standard-
Pro Logic IIx Movie
Pro Logic IIx Music
Pro Logic IIx Game
Pro Logic
Neo:6 Cinema
Neo:6 Music
-----------
advanced-
adv movie
adv music
tv surround
sports
adv game
expanded
7 stereo
vir surr
phonesur

so basically, i watch TV through these 799.99 speakers with the ADV Game mode on(because I guess it makes surround sound opposed to TV surround), its not sounding particually great. i'd really appreciate it if you guys could give me some tips on how to tweak my stuff for optimum performance. by the way, im just a newbie with this stuff, so im sorry if i asked any dumb questions.

thanks

PS: i know some of you may recomend me to read my manual... but pioneer did a really bad job on writting this thing. its hard to understand what there saying at times.

 

[Davemcc]

Get into manual setup and set the speakers to small, turn the sub back on, set the crossover and you're halfway there. If there is an auto setting that selects the surround mode according to the source, use it. I'm not familiar with your exact receiver, but some of these settings are standard and can be found in your setup menu.

 

[jcPanny]

TV surround modes

For watching TV, I would stick with 2 channel stereo mode most of the time. It you want simulated surround sound, try the Dolby ProLogicIIx Movie and Music modes.

The auto setup on your pioneer should adjust the speaker level and distance settings, but you might check them in the manual setup mode.

 

[spyker99]

For watching TV, I would stick with 2 channel stereo mode most of the time. It you want simulated surround sound, try the Dolby ProLogicIIx Movie and Music modes.

The auto setup on your pioneer should adjust the speaker level and distance settings, but you might check them in the manual setup mode.

I tried watching tv with STEREO toggled on, and it sounded pretty bad. I then went through all the audio settings to see which one sounded ok. I've concluded that AVD. Game sounds the loudest since it is the only setting that "really" uses the subwoofer. Its description in the manual says "suitable for video games" so that doesnt say much. Do you guys know if I am able to go in and manually adjust the different audio settings?

 

[Maceo23]

I had a similar issue with my Pioneer VSX-1016. When I did the auto setup, it set all my speakers to large and turned off my sub. I had to go back in manually and set the speakers to small and set the crossover point. However, once I did that, the levels were pretty much perfect. I even pulled out my Avia dvd and the trusty old meter, but really didn't have to adjust anything. Everything was spot on.

 

[spyker99]

I had a similar issue with my Pioneer VSX-1016. When I did the auto setup, it set all my speakers to large and turned off my sub. I had to go back in manually and set the speakers to small and set the crossover point. However, once I did that, the levels were pretty much perfect. I even pulled out my Avia dvd and the trusty old meter, but really didn't have to adjust anything. Everything was spot on.

The manual recomends me to set my speakers to 100 hz but i heard 80 works better for the ACOUSTECH speakers.

 

[phillyguy]

How are your routing the input of your tv or cable box? Do you have a digital cable box? Not sure what kind of hook ups you have into the back of your receiver, but I use the optical output out of my digital cable box and run it directly into the back of my Denon receiver. I set the denon up to use the optical input, and then set the receiver to Dolby pro logic. When it gets a Dolby signal from the cable box, it handles it as a true 5.1. If it gets a non-5.1 signal it just matrixes the sound into 5.1. Re-Read your manual unfortunately they all kind of suck, but hopefully this will help make it clearer. Your setup for cable vs a dvd player is virtually the same. BTW, you may also need to adjust some settings on the cable box as well. Hope this helps.

 

[spyker99]

I had a similar issue with my Pioneer VSX-1016. When I did the auto setup, it set all my speakers to large and turned off my sub. I had to go back in manually and set the speakers to small and set the crossover point. However, once I did that, the levels were pretty much perfect. I even pulled out my Avia dvd and the trusty old meter, but really didn't have to adjust anything. Everything was spot on.

I just performed the auto setup again, and yes... they switched my sub off. Still trying to turn Sub back on and set all speakers to small