onkyo 7.1 audio help

[lordofdavipers]

I've been through another thread getting help on what system was best to buy and from friends and acquaintances, Onkyo became my choice. I purchased the HT-SR800 HTIB (http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?class=Systems&m=HT-SR800&p=i).
In short, it includes the HT-R550 AV Receiver and the DV-CP704 DVD Changer. The rest is at the link above.

I purchased my system from hhgregg. Of course, in the beginning it was a blast going from nothing to awesome Surround Sound (SS). Once that hype ran down I started noticing some issues: when I use the system I hear very little sound out of the surround back left/right speakers and get moderate sound from the surround left/right speakers. The center, subwoofer and front left/right speakers are fine (and a bit loud).

Here's what I've done to try to fix it.
I've changed the channel selections within the +12 and -12 ranges and not much changes (most noticeable sound is only in subwoofer). I've also tried different sound types like neo6, or DTS, etc. with little difference. Lastly, I've checked and all cables to ensure that they are properly inserted to their color-coded counterpart on the av receiver and all cables have also been checked for shorts or cuts and such.

So RARELY will I hear true SS like a movie that has rockets you'd hear it swoosh from left to right or whatever. The easiest conveyed analogy is that of when I watch a live concert on TV I hear great (but loud) sound from the front and center, little from surround and nothing from surround back.

I appreciate any help and tips. (I also love but hate technology. I buy a "top-of-the-line" system and now it's obsolete with newer models. Oh well, that's life.)

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Adam]

Andrew,

While there may be something wrong with your system, please know that the vast majority of sound from most movies and concerts comes from the front (left/right/center) speakers and the sub. The surround speakers typically aren't that loud. Sometimes they are, but for the most part they aren't.

I imagine that system can generate a set of test tones. Do you get adequate sound from the surround speakers when playing the test tones?

Adam

 

[lordofdavipers]

Yes, Sir. Before the system would even function you have to calibrate it with a microphone calibrator and each speaker emitted several high and low blips. So I'm quite sure they all "work" but I didn't take into account that most shows (tv or older movies) work on 4.0 or 4.1 sound.

What's odd is the movies that do notate they are dts, dolby, neo6, or whatever they say, that don't exhibit 7.1 SS. It could be me but when I see a movie with, for example, jet fighters or something and they shoot a missile, it should swoosh across from one side of the room to the other. Give or take some movies don't.

So what would you suggest?

 

[Adam]

Just as a note, Dolby Digital doesn't indicate how many audio channels there are. I have some mono Dolby Digital DVDs. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when I found that out (back when I bought them, I thought that DD was always 5.1). I'm not sure if DTS implies any number of channels.

Do you have Air Force One? If so, there is a scene where some F-15s sweep behind the screen and the sound does sweep around the room. If you have that movie and don't know which scene, I can give you the specifics (I would just need to put in the DVD and find the track for you).

 

[lordofdavipers]

Unfortunately, I don't have that movie. Hmm. I suppose I'll have to deal with the system as is. I do, however, expect new dvd or blu-ray movies to be capable of it.