Low volume coming from TV into active speakers.

[rhyek]

Hi, guys. I have a pair of Edifier S2000 pro active speakers hooked up with 2 sources: 1) To a Panasonic VT60 via optical cable and 2) to my samsung galaxy s9+ phone via bluetooth. I've always noticed that at full volume on the speakers, sound is always much higher using my phone as source rather than the TV.

I am not sure which of the two sources is doing the correct thing in terms of audio signal output, but I definitely prefer the loudness of using the phone. My problem is now am connecting a Bluetooth transmitter between the TV and speakers and said transmitter can work both as transmitter and in bypass mode. In TX mode I am listening to the TV's signal on a new pair of Sennheiser Momentum 3's via bluetooth and in bypass I can listen to the TV's signal on my Edifiers.

Bypass sounds identical as the original configuration, but now the low volume is quite noticeable on my headphones. Again, if I connect my phone directly to my new headphones via bluetooth, they sound louder than when connected to the bluetooth transmitter listening to the TV's output.

My TV is connected to a number of A/V sources including an HTPC, a PS4, Switch, and finally a Chromecast (which I sometimes use to stream Spotify).

I guess finally my question would be, with my current setup, what could I do to increase overall sound quality and loudness? I was initially thinking about just getting a good quality A/V receiver, but then read that it wouldn't work with my active speakers.

 

[lovinthehd]

Actually the signal goes from the sources to the speakers or display, not the other way around (helps to be clear altho I understand what you mean). You simply have differences in output level....a receiver would be a better tool for the job (and with pre-outs it will work fine with active speakers).

 

[rhyek]

@lovinthehd, thanks! hm, I never said anything otherwise regarding the signal directions. maybe my setup wasn't clear.

i any case is it worth buying a receiver for this since it wouldn't be doing one of its major functions (amplifying)?

 

[lovinthehd]

@lovinthehd, thanks! hm, I never said anything otherwise regarding the signal directions. maybe my setup wasn't clear.

i any case is it worth buying a receiver for this since it wouldn't be doing one of its major functions (amplifying)?

Yep misread a bit, sorry. I understand your setup. You could also get a pre-pro if you think you'll never need amps, but usually avrs are better deals.

 

[rhyek]

@lovinthehd, no worries. never heard of pre pros. could you recommend a brand/model? stereo would be fine.

 

[lovinthehd]

@lovinthehd, no worries. never heard of pre pros. could you recommend a brand/model? stereo would be fine.

Depends on the extent you want to use video, particularly hdmi. Lots of 2ch pre-amps out there, tho may be feature limited for your purposes. I'd look at a Denon 3500/3600 on sale....a pre-pro will cost significantly more in most cases. Least expensive one I can think of would be the Outlaw 975/976 but are feature limited compared to something from Yamaha or Marantz (they're also sometimes called av processors, pre-pro just means pre-amp and processor in same housing but without amps).

ps an avr also gives you more flexibility with speakers down the line....

 

[rhyek]

@lovinthehd thanks so much. I'm petty new to all this. Could you help me understand something? The way I understand it, the optical line functions as a line level signal medium, therefore it's volume is at 100% already. If I were to take the TV out of the audio chain and connect all my devices (ps4, etc) directly to a new av receiver, then my active speakers to the pre outs of said receiver, what would be providing the increases volume past 100%? is the av receiver handling the sources better to begin with? is my TV degrading audio quality? thank you so much.

 

[lovinthehd]

Optical/toslink is a digital connection using the S/PDIF standard, and does function as a line level signal (but that level can vary somewhat afaik and would be different from that of a typical line level signal which is analog), and is the full signal to an extent, but still needs a DAC and amplification down the line for use in other gear. An avr's pre-amplifier section will handle such (or a pre-pro) in the case of your active speakers (and the amp section of an avr would handle such for passive speakers).

TVs can limit particularly multich audio from sources, some only output 2.0 and and via optical at best lossy 5.1 audio (i.e. no Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HDMA or the Dolby Atmos or DTS:X soundtracks nor multi-ch PCM). There is a new HDMI standard under 2.1 called eARC that can handle lossless but little gear can actually take advantage at this time afaik. How well a tv handles dac and pre-amp duties for your various sources I haven't seen any analysis of. An avr is a better suited device vs. a tv (altho who knows maybe some super tv will be able to match someday, don't believe any exist at this time).

 

[rhyek]

@lovinthehd I understand. I guess I just always figured since I'm using the optical output, that it being digital meant it'd just function as a bypass for the hdmi inputs on the TV meaning no loss of quality. it sounds like that's not exactly how it works and I believe the proper approach is the av receiver like you said. I will probably try that out.

 

[lovinthehd]

@lovinthehd I understand. I guess I just always figured since I'm using the optical output, that it being digital meant it'd just function as a bypass for the hdmi inputs on the TV meaning no loss of quality. it sounds like that's not exactly how it works and I believe the proper approach is the av receiver like you said. I will probably try that out.

It may pass the digital signal relatively unscathed, I was thinking more of the analog outputs when I mentioned the processing the tv might do. What bluetooth gear did you stick in between? That might change things up, plus bluetooth isn't the best way to go (altho it is convenient). Your gear is a bit different from mine. I only use a tv as a display.

 

[rhyek]

It may pass the digital signal relatively unscathed, I was thinking more of the analog outputs when I mentioned the processing the tv might do. What bluetooth gear did you stick in between? That might change things up, plus bluetooth isn't the best way to go (altho it is convenient). Your gear is a bit different from mine. I only use a tv as a display.

I'm currently using https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JZH47B3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_UaxKDbN8T9J6Y, but will replace it with something else since it's introducing some crackling for some reason. if I do buy an av receiver I would still probably get an external Bluetooth transmitter as well since I rather it had excellent range and aptx low latency.