WMP Equalizer

[Hi Ho]

I have a "hole" in my home theater system. It's a hole in the frequency response somewhere between 100 and 125hz. There is, however, nothing I can do about it with my current system. I believe the problem is the fact that the crossover on my receiver only goes down to 100hz and that my subwoofer (DIY) has a dip right around there. I believe that with a new receiver I could remedy the problem by setting the crossover at 80hz or so.

Until that time, I want something that will make music sound more full. When playing music on my system from my computer (via coax digital) the sound is a bit thin due to the hole. I have boosted it with the graphic EQ in Windows Media Player 10 and it really helps to make it sound a lot better. There is, however, one problem. It distorts the sound, even when I raise it just 1 decible. What is the reason for this? It is a very annoying problem. I have tried other EQ's in Winamp and Itunes with the same results.

 

[droeses58]

What type of speakers are you using? Could it be they are damaged?

 

[mulester7]

I have a "hole" in my home theater system. It's a hole in the frequency response somewhere between 100 and 125hz

.....Hi Ho, did you establish this with an spl meter?.....

 

[Hi Ho]

.....Hi Ho, did you establish this with an spl meter?.....

Unfortunately, no. I don't have one. I used TrueRTA to send test signals. As I manually go through the frequencies it is audibly quieter between 100 and 125hz. It is virtually flat to the ear over the rest of the spectrum. I know this is not a very good way of testing but it's all I can do at the moment.

My speakers are as follows: Advent Smaller Loudspeakers (front), Polk CS1 (center), Realistic Minimus-7 (rear). I do not believe they are damaged. I have found that I get the same distortion when I apply the equalizers on the PC speakers.

 

[mulester7]

Unfortunately, no. I don't have one. I used TrueRTA to send test signals

.....sometimes I think a small gap between the main's regiment and the sub is a good thing to accentuate the sub, Hi Ho....with that though, there brings a need for the sub to be as clean as possible.....

 

[Hi Ho]

My sub is a DIY project. It has a near ruler flat response until around 100hz. I believe this is causing the gap. When I connect the sub using the high level inputs the gap is eliminated and the difference in sound is substantial. However, this doesn't work well for ProLogic material so I do not have it set up this way.

I am seriously considering picking up a Yamaha HTR-5860 in the very near future because I feel it would be a nice upgrade from my current receiver, a Panasonic SA-HE100, which is not a highly regarded model.

 

[mulester7]

My sub is a DIY project. It has a near ruler flat response until around 100hz. I believe this is causing the gap. When I connect the sub using the high level inputs the gap is eliminated and the difference in sound is substantial. However, this doesn't work well for ProLogic material so I do not have it set up this way.

I am seriously considering picking up a Yamaha HTR-5860 in the very near future because I feel it would be a nice upgrade from my current receiver, a Panasonic SA-HE100, which is not a highly regarded model.

.....Hi Ho, our collective problems lie in the same arena....we both have 2-way speakers above the sub....you might consider small cannons also....or, bigger watts continuous, could close that gap a bit by cleaning it up, considering the small Advents you have for front mains, are 4 ohm......

 

[Hi Ho]

I am hoping that the Yamaha will more adequately drive the Advents and that the room EQ will help even out the differences between the speakers. If I find that the Yamaha's amp doesn't cut it I will eventually add a seperate amp to drive the mains. I don't see how the Yamaha could be any worse than the Panasonic though. The sound really isn't that bad. It's not like it's distorted and movies do sound decent. I just know it could be a lot better. I am confident that I will be impressed with the Yamaha. My Panasonic is a very low end unit with very little setup flexibility. The Yamaha appears to be light years ahead of the Panasonic.

 

[mulester7]

I am hoping that the Yamaha will more adequately drive the Advents and that the room EQ will help even out the differences between the speakers

.....then I most certainly hope a new receiver fixes the gap, and you are tickled, Hi Ho....

 

[droeses58]

I don't know fore-sure, but I thought I read somewhere on this forum that the Yamahas have a tough time with driving lower ohm speakers

 

[Hi Ho]

Well again, I don't think it would be any worse than my current receiver which isn't that bad. I have heard the Newer Pioneers aren't up to the task at all.