Receiver question

[rl168]

Hi all,

I have a quick question about my current setup. Right now I have the paradigm S8 as my fronts, using my existing infinity center speaker and Sony surround speakers. I have a Marantz SR8001 powering everything. I noticed that when I am watching a movie, the sound from the center speaker is quite low, and I have to turn the volume up quite a bit. But once I switched to 2 channel music, I will have to lower the volume back down as it will be quite loud. Is this normal? I am thinking this is because the receiver has more power when powering just the two front speakers. Whereas when powering the whole 5.1 system, the receiver has to power all speakers thus resulting in lower sound. Am I correct in this assumption? Thanks!

 

[Seth=L]

Check your speaker levels for all channels. How big is the center channel, better yet what model is it. It is also possible the S8's are more efficient that the center. My suggestion, upgrade your center and surrounds.

 

[mnnc]

Hi all,

I have a quick question about my current setup. Right now I have the paradigm S8 as my fronts, using my existing infinity center speaker and Sony surround speakers. I have a Marantz SR8001 powering everything. I noticed that when I am watching a movie, the sound from the center speaker is quite low, and I have to turn the volume up quite a bit. But once I switched to 2 channel music, I will have to lower the volume back down as it will be quite loud. Is this normal? I am thinking this is because the receiver has more power when powering just the two front speakers. Whereas when powering the whole 5.1 system, the receiver has to power all speakers thus resulting in lower sound. Am I correct in this assumption? Thanks!

The spkrs could have different efficiencies. Have you balanced the channels with built in test tone from recv'r or a set-up disc/dvd? You need a spl meter from rad shak to do this accurately. Once all channels are balanced you should be set. Concerning movie/music levels...yes this is normal in most cases. These two formats are mixed differently at studio. Music is recorded/ mixed with most of instruments/vocals equal or fairly balanced whereas movie soundtracks are mixed at different levels depending on the channel for greater effects. Although you listen to music/movie at same volume setting the result is going to be different to your ears. However if you were to listen to music at let's say -20 volume setting(presuming channels have been leveled/matched)and then a movie(well recorded soundtrack)without adjusting the volume setting you would get about the same spl peak but the only way to tell this is by using a spl meter. Movies don't constantly bombard you with the audio part as music does. So basically one source is a more continuous spl while the other(movie)has subtle moments between peaks(bangs, explosions, crashes, etc). And too...power/wattage output does vary a bit with all ch driven vs stereo. It's a good idea to lower volume between all source changes and then turn up to desired level.