New system about to go out the window

[MDS]

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.

The Onkyo version is called 'Late Night' mode. That feature only works on Dolby Digital programs (on all receivers) but it does help quite a bit with the dialog level because the loud sounds are compressed.

 

[mke1078]

The Onkyo version is called 'Late Night' mode. That feature only works on Dolby Digital programs (on all receivers) but it does help quite a bit with the dialog level because the loud sounds are compressed.

Where is this "late night" mode?

 

[MDS]

On some models, like my 502, there is a dedicated 'l.night' button on the remote.

On the newer models, you have to get it through the audio adjust menu. There should be a button on the remote marked 'audio' and pressing it brings up a menu where you can scroll to the late night function.

 

[Joeteck]

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.

If it were me, I would keep the center channel, because the whole point of having a surround sound system is trying to reproduce movie style viewing and listening. If however, you don't want the sound to come from the TV point of view then ditch it. But then why does everyone sell center channels if its such a bad choice of placement?

 

[lsiberian]

If it were me, I would keep the center channel, because the whole point of having a surround sound system is trying to reproduce movie style viewing and listening. If however, you don't want the sound to come from the TV point of view then ditch it. But then why does everyone sell center channels if its such a bad choice of placement?

It's a great question isn't it. Why does monster sell 100 dollar cables?

Just because people sell something doesn't make it inherently good. That being said not all centers are bad. Some are excellently engineered with great sound.

The main problem with Centers is called lobing. Since many more knowledgeable folks than I have written on this topic I suggest you do a search on your own if interested. I wouldn't do it the justice that many here could.

In a low end system you will likely have very bad center design. Not always but usually. I find no problem with the LR channels fixing the dialogue to the screen. And my small screen is only about 92". Maybe it becomes an issue with a larger screen though. Might also be tough with a TV.

I have had a great center before so they are out there. I used a Beta 360 and it was amazing.

 

[mke1078]

It's a great question isn't it. Why does monster sell 100 dollar cables?

Just because people sell something doesn't make it inherently good. That being said not all centers are bad. Some are excellently engineered with great sound.

The main problem with Centers is called lobing. Since many more knowledgeable folks than I have written on this topic I suggest you do a search on your own if interested. I wouldn't do it the justice that many here could.

In a low end system you will likely have very bad center design. Not always but usually. I find no problem with the LR channels fixing the dialogue to the screen. And my small screen is only about 92". Maybe it becomes an issue with a larger screen though. Might also be tough with a TV.

I have had a great center before so they are out there. I used a Beta 360 and it was amazing.

I really LIKE the center, so getting rid of it is probably not an option. I have also raised my speaker height, gotten into more "calibration", with more to do, as well as found out about the night mode Onkyo offers which sounds like it takes away alot of the loudness and keeps the vocals on "par" with the overall soundtrack. Any other ideas or knowledge is welcome as I am always checking this post.

 

[Joeteck]

It's a great question isn't it. Why does monster sell 100 dollar cables?

Just because people sell something doesn't make it inherently good. That being said not all centers are bad. Some are excellently engineered with great sound.

The main problem with Centers is called lobing. Since many more knowledgeable folks than I have written on this topic I suggest you do a search on your own if interested. I wouldn't do it the justice that many here could.

In a low end system you will likely have very bad center design. Not always but usually. I find no problem with the LR channels fixing the dialogue to the screen. And my small screen is only about 92". Maybe it becomes an issue with a larger screen though. Might also be tough with a TV.

I have had a great center before so they are out there. I used a Beta 360 and it was amazing.

You only have a 92" screen? You're right it is small... Time to upgrade.

I really LIKE the center, so getting rid of it is probably not an option. I have also raised my speaker height, gotten into more "calibration", with more to do, as well as found out about the night mode Onkyo offers which sounds like it takes away alot of the loudness and keeps the vocals on "par" with the overall soundtrack. Any other ideas or knowledge is welcome as I am always checking this post.

I'm with you.. Keep it.. I would leave the center @ +12 and lower everything else to about +6db.. Manually

 

[lsiberian]

You only have a 92" screen? You're right it is small... Time to upgrade.



I'm with you.. Keep it.. I would leave the center @ +12 and lower everything else to about +6db.. Manually

I always used to tick it up 2 db too.

Actually any larger and the picture is too big for me. from my sitting position.

 

[mke1078]

You only have a 92" screen? You're right it is small... Time to upgrade.



I'm with you.. Keep it.. I would leave the center @ +12 and lower everything else to about +6db.. Manually

I have the center at +12 and all else a 0, maybe i need to work on the sub.

 

[Joeteck]

I have the center at +12 and all else a 0, maybe i need to work on the sub.

How are you getting audio to the receiver?

 

[mke1078]

How are you getting audio to the receiver?

What? Audio comes from the reciever, but I think I know what your asking.

My blue-ray is HDMI as well as the cable box. Xbox is the red light thingy (cant' think of the name).

 

[lsiberian]

What? Audio comes from the reciever, but I think I know what your asking.

My blue-ray is HDMI as well as the cable box. Xbox is the red light thingy (cant' think of the name).

Toslink is the red light thingy.

 

[Joeteck]

What? Audio comes from the reciever, but I think I know what your asking.

My blue-ray is HDMI as well as the cable box. Xbox is the red light thingy (cant' think of the name).

Going back and forth like this will take forever...

go here so we can chat back and forth, and who ever else wants to join in, that's fine...

http://www.joeteck.com/livechat.html

I'll be waiting

 

[mke1078]

I can't get in, it gives me an error. I am on yahoo right now.

 

[Joeteck]

I can't get in, it gives me an error. I am on yahoo right now.

ok, then add techtalk540

 

[mke1078]

I'm gonna have to try later, the firewall and stuff here won't let me do much. I'll try later.

 

[Joeteck]

I'm gonna have to try later, the firewall and stuff here won't let me do much. I'll try later.

what is your yahoo ID.. I'll add you to mine... and see if that works...

And if not you can always try www.meebo.com, and login from there.

 

[mke1078]

yahoo id is mke1078

 

[mke1078]

I added techtalk540 to yahoo, your not online

 

[Joeteck]

I added techtalk540 to yahoo, your not online

Oh, I am.... Have you tried www.meebo.com? Your work may be blocking yahoo