Troubleshooting: Speakers or Receiver

[jasoncorrie]

Hey guys, I need some help. I have a pair of PSB Image B2 (I think l) 6.5" bookshelf speakers and an Onkyo 601 receiver, as well as a PSB Image center channel of the same woofer size. (I think it is the c-40.) All was well for the last couple of years in a small theater room.
Then, I moved. They are now set up in a rectangular family room with much different characteristics. The problem is that in stereo mode (on any input) the B2s sound muffled. It is not extreme, but obvious to most. When I switch the receiver over to a surround mode - such as Dolby Pro Logic- the center channel kicks in and sounds great. Nice clear highs and mids. And, when the B2s are in stereo mode, the left doesn't seem to be putting out as much - by only a little- as the right, and the left seems more muffled. I have adjusted the tone settings in the receiver, and have changed the crossover to the subwoofer setting in the receiver, but nothing seems to help. They are all set to the "small" speaker setting like they are supposed to be.
So, I need some help. Are the crossovers in my bookshelf speakers bad? The tweeters are working without any static or anything. Or is this in the receiver? Any suggestions on how to find out?

 

[fredk]

Some questions. Is the new location larger than the old one? Are you sitting further away from the speakers?

I suspect that the speakers may not be quite big enough for the space.

As far as the left not putting out as much, have you used an spl meter to level match your speakers? Furnishings and room layout will affect the sound from each channel reaching your ears. In my room, I have to boost the right channel by 2 db to make up for some furniture on that side of the room.

 

[jasoncorrie]

The room is bigger. I do sit further away. I have used a db meter and the left is down 1-2 dbs but when you get right up in front of each speaker to compare, the highs and high-mids are much clearer on the right. Is there any way to test the crossover (?multimeter?)or other components of the speakers to make sure they are up to par?
The space is only 14'x20' or so. Not huge. But the center sounds great! I don't get it.
There is a remarkable difference between the two bookshelfs in stereo, and the all three with the sub in surround.

 

[KEW]

I am a little confused. Do the B2's put out decent treble in surround mode, or do you mean that the center works fine and covers for the B2's?

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey guys, I need some help. I have a pair of PSB Image B2 (I think l) 6.5" bookshelf speakers and an Onkyo 601 receiver, as well as a PSB Image center channel of the same woofer size. (I think it is the c-40.) All was well for the last couple of years in a small theater room.
Then, I moved. They are now set up in a rectangular family room with much different characteristics. The problem is that in stereo mode (on any input) the B2s sound muffled. It is not extreme, but obvious to most. When I switch the receiver over to a surround mode - such as Dolby Pro Logic- the center channel kicks in and sounds great. Nice clear highs and mids. And, when the B2s are in stereo mode, the left doesn't seem to be putting out as much - by only a little- as the right, and the left seems more muffled. I have adjusted the tone settings in the receiver, and have changed the crossover to the subwoofer setting in the receiver, but nothing seems to help. They are all set to the "small" speaker setting like they are supposed to be.
So, I need some help. Are the crossovers in my bookshelf speakers bad? The tweeters are working without any static or anything. Or is this in the receiver? Any suggestions on how to find out?

If the difference occurs between mch and stereo, I must ask if you're using different connections, or does this occurs with the same connection(s)? If they're different, the first culprit is usually loose RCA jacks, I'm guessing.

btw, the b25 has a 6.5" woofer, while the c40 has 5.25" woofers. Either your speakers do not have the same size woofers, or you do not own these particular speakers concurrently. just fyi.

Also, try swapping the speaker wire (or the speakers) for left/right. Does the issue follow the speaker, or does it stay at the same position?

 

[jasoncorrie]

Thanks for your responses.
KEW, the 2Bs put out decent treble all of the time. It is just that in stereo mode, it sounds like the mids or low-mids are cranked way up giving it a muffled sound. When I change the receiver mode over to surround (playing from the same source with the same connections) the voice shifts to the center channel and sounds very clear - like the artist is in the room, like I remember the 2Bs sounding before I moved.

jostenmeat, I actually have the Image 9C. Sorry, I was at work when I started this thread. It has 2 6.5" woofers and a tweeter. I will try swapping out the speaker wire. Good suggestion.

Also, I have reset my onkyo to no avail.

Thanks for any suggestions.