So my center is MAXed out

[newaudiofile]

Like most people dealing with problem of loudness during explosions(watching Master and Commander again ) whilst living in an apartment building, i was thinking of raising my center channel level high, so I dont have to use the remote all the time to lower the sound during explosions.

I realised my center channel level is maxed out. So i'm wondering....

1)Am having lossless on the center channel due to bad soldering?
2)Is my center not capable enough? Given the specs below it can take more power than my mains. But it is smaller than my mains.
3)Why does it sound richer in two channel PCM on PLII?

Any experience or advice will be appreciated.

Center: Pioneer S-CR52-W, 70 - 20kHz, 130W, 8 ohms.

 

[Hi Ho]

If your center channel is all the way up and you still cannot hear it then try turning down the rest of the speakers. It sounds like your center is less efficient than your mains. Have you ever calibrated your system with an SPL meter? I would highly recommend doing that.

 

[newaudiofile]

If your center channel is all the way up and you still cannot hear it then try turning down the rest of the speakers. It sounds like your center is less efficient than your mains. Have you ever calibrated your system with an SPL meter? I would highly recommend doing that.

Yeah I was thinking about reducing the mains so that they match. But I have not got to it yet. At work

No I have not calibrated with a spl yet. Cos it is so expensive here. 150 euros as compared to 35 euros in the US: (Radio Shack does not ship to Finland)

Maybe i just will have to use a software version for spl, but I cant seem to find any. Any recommendations?

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver setup.

Here are a couple options:
1. Exchange the receiver for a model with the auto setup mic (RXV663)
2. Calibrate by ear, you should be able to get in the ball park, +/- a few dB.
3. Get a measurement mic and pantom power supply. This cost about $80 US and might be more readily available over there. You can use this to measure the SPL and also with free RTA software to analyze the room, configure the sub, etc.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHECM8000

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Question 3 suggests that question 2 is in the affirmative. If it sounds better in 2-channel mode (the center not active), then the center is probably not keeping up with the mains.

 

[jcPanny]

Center channel

If the center channel can't keep up, you should get better performance by turning the center channel OFF on the receiver and running a "phantom" center channel. In this configuration, the mains get the center channel information.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If the center channel can't keep up, you should get better performance by turning the center channel OFF on the receiver and running a "phantom" center channel. In this configuration, the mains get the center channel information.

I agree. I have used phantom center for years because not even Def Tech's own centers can blend seamlessly with my BP10s.

 

[allargon]

Yeah I was thinking about reducing the mains so that they match. But I have not got to it yet. At work

No I have not calibrated with a spl yet. Cos it is so expensive here. 150 euros as compared to 35 euros in the US: (Radio Shack does not ship to Finland)

Maybe i just will have to use a software version for spl, but I cant seem to find any. Any recommendations?

How much does it cost to ship to Finland? I bet one of the members here would ship you one if you agreed to cover the costs.

 

[DrPainMD]

SPL Meter

Check this out, I think they ship to Finland....

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/spl-meters-mics-calibration/3710-galaxy-cm-140-spl-meter-pre-order.html

ENGLUND MUSIC FINLAND OY
9-011-358-9-825-45-600
info@emnordic.fi

http://www.galaxyaudio.com/CM130.jsp
http://www.galaxyaudio.com/CM140.jsp
http://www.galaxyaudio.com/CM150.jsp
http://www.galaxyaudio.com/CM160.jsp