sound is compressed - speakers or reciever?

[Guiria]

At reference level my system sounds harsh, it's difficult to find detail in all the sound going on, and my speakers seem completely overwhelmed with the amount of sound they are required to reproduce (running 4.1 - no center.)

If I turn it down to -10 to -15 db it sounds cleaner, highs aren't harsh anymore, effects are distinct, the overall experience is much more enjoyable.

Is this a limitation of speaker components (polk audio RT3 bookshelves nearly 10 years old)?

Is this a limitation of receiver (Yammie HTR-5960 100 watts @ .06% THD 20 Hz-20000 kHz) in a room nearly 2400 cubic feet?

Is this going to be a room characteristic and sound panels will be required?

I'm sure it can/will be a combination of everything, however, I'm interested in your opinions.

Just curious.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If I turn it down to -10 to -15 db it sounds cleaner, highs aren't harsh anymore, effects are distinct, the overall experience is much more enjoyable.

So turn it down. Problem solved.
(FWIW my typical volume setting is between -25 and -29 db.)

 

[Guiria]

So turn it down. Problem solved.
(FWIW my typical volume setting is between -25 and -29 db.)

Very true, although the impact of the sound isn't quite the same at the lower volume. That's a sub issue though...

I do normally watch movies at -15 db. My questions are more directed towards the technical restraints of my HT setup whether it be speakers, sub, receiver, acoustics, etc.

 

[agarwalro]

Have you calibrated your system to counter room effects, etc?

 

[Guiria]

Have you calibrated your system to counter room effects, etc?

My receiver only has a center channel EQ to help match the center to the main timbre. All channels have been calibrated using an SPL meter, and the main speakers are at ear listening level.

I've put some heavy drapes over a large window in the room (Can this actually affect the sound?). Mainly to reduce glare on my TV.
My sub has a serious null just over 80 Hz and that was solved by having my xover at 80 Hz.
My mains used to sit about 3 feet above ear height and I have since moved them to ear height

Those have been my efforts in countering room effects.

 

[mtrycrafts]

At reference level my system sounds harsh, it's difficult to find detail in all the sound going on, and my speakers seem completely overwhelmed with the amount of sound they are required to reproduce (running 4.1 - no center.)

If I turn it down to -10 to -15 db it sounds cleaner, highs aren't harsh anymore, effects are distinct, the overall experience is much more enjoyable.

Is this a limitation of speaker components (polk audio RT3 bookshelves nearly 10 years old)?

Is this a limitation of receiver (Yammie HTR-5960 100 watts @ .06% THD 20 Hz-20000 kHz) in a room nearly 2400 cubic feet?

Is this going to be a room characteristic and sound panels will be required?

I'm sure it can/will be a combination of everything, however, I'm interested in your opinions.

Just curious.

You may not find detail at such high level. Your speakers could be also compressing at such levels, lots of distortion as volume increases. Your sub could be contributing as well as your room and perception.

 

[billnchristy]

There is no way in hades I would run my Yamaha at 0.

With TrueHD I can get to -5 or so and with regular flicks about -15...I accidently switched the mains on at 0 once and it was ugly.

 

[mazersteven]

You state that your speakers are older (10yrs). Is this a problem that just started?

 

[Guiria]

There is no way in hades I would run my Yamaha at 0.

With TrueHD I can get to -5 or so and with regular flicks about -15...I accidently switched the mains on at 0 once and it was ugly.

I never used to turn it up to 0 but when I calibrated 0 to be 75 db of pink noise it made 0 not as loud (even though it is still too loud for movies).

I don't know the specs on TrueHD but I would guess that it's not louder by design, just higher resolution.

 

[Guiria]

You state that your speakers are older (10yrs). Is this a problem that just started?

They've always been like this, although recently I've been cranking it more often and so I believe it's an issue I am more aware of now. Also having read countless reviews, threads, etc, discussing loudspeakers and the reproduction of sound; I find myself being more critical these days than I used to be

 

[Pyrrho]

At reference level my system sounds harsh, it's difficult to find detail in all the sound going on, and my speakers seem completely overwhelmed with the amount of sound they are required to reproduce (running 4.1 - no center.)

If I turn it down to -10 to -15 db it sounds cleaner, highs aren't harsh anymore, effects are distinct, the overall experience is much more enjoyable.

Is this a limitation of speaker components (polk audio RT3 bookshelves nearly 10 years old)?

Is this a limitation of receiver (Yammie HTR-5960 100 watts @ .06% THD 20 Hz-20000 kHz) in a room nearly 2400 cubic feet?

Is this going to be a room characteristic and sound panels will be required?

I'm sure it can/will be a combination of everything, however, I'm interested in your opinions.

Just curious.

Without some sort of testing, there is no way to be certain which is the limiting factor. As a speaker moves closer to its excursion limits, typically the resistance to its movement becomes greater, and therefore the dynamic range becomes slightly compressed. Of course, as an amplifier is pushed closer to its limits, it becomes less able to produce more power to drive the speaker. The limiting factor within an amplifier could be any of several different things, such as the output devices (transistors, ICs, tubes) or the power supply.

With all systems, there is more distortion at the limits of performance. That is, as you turn up the volume very high, the distortion increases. How high "very high" is depends upon the particular equipment.

If you really want higher volumes, you can experiment with replacing either the speakers or the amplifier, obviously buying locally from someone with an excellent return policy so you can return the item(s) for a full refund if it does not help. But before you decide you want higher volumes, I strongly suggest doing an online search for the connection between "loud noise" and "hearing loss". If you wish to be able to hear your system well into the future, you will need to keep the volume down within reason.

 

[Guiria]

If you really want higher volumes, you can experiment with replacing either the speakers or the amplifier, obviously buying locally from someone with an excellent return policy so you can return the item(s) for a full refund if it does not help. But before you decide you want higher volumes, I strongly suggest doing an online search for the connection between "loud noise" and "hearing loss". If you wish to be able to hear your system well into the future, you will need to keep the volume down within reason.

It's not really the volume that drives me, it's being able to hear the details; glass breaking, wood splintering, explosions, gunfire, helicopters, breathing, whatever...

In my system it seems I've got to crank it to do that, although I've found the range of -10 to -15 db for my system is a good compromise.

If the movie, or music would give me the necessary impact at lower volumes I wouldn't be after turning it up to reference level.