XBOX 360, MP3 playback, crappy audio

[corsara]

Hi!

I'm new to this forum, but I've got a question:

I have a Pioneer VSX-819H receiver, and the sound system sounds great when I plug a USB flash drive or the iPhone in the receiver, and then play it from there (it has this USB slot in the front).

However, I'd like to use the XBOX 360 for MP3 playback, but the sound is extremely crappy. I am using the component (2x RCA) for the audio, could that be the problem? Do you think getting an optical audio cable will solve the problem? And the problem is with the highs and mids---they seem to be missing. The subwoofer is still extremely strong sounding, but who knows... it's just that everything sounds really quiet and weak... any insight?

 

[jinjuku]

What happens if you throw a CD in and play it back?

 

[corsara]

What happens if you throw a CD in and play it back?

Nope, same thing. CD and MP3 playback of the same song---no difference in volume. I also bought a digital optical cable, no noticeable difference in quality... oh well..

 

[corey]

Don't just say "Oh well". I think you've got a wrong, or at least less than optimal, setting somewhere in the chain. I'm quite happy with the audio from my 360. What is your 360 set to output, 5.1 or 2.0?

 

[dapack69]

Are there settings on the Xbox you can mess with?

 

[jinjuku]

Does game audio go over the same RCA cable? Is it fine?

 

[corsara]

Yes, games go through the same cable, although I already mentioned that I replaced the RCA analog connection with a optic fiber line.

Funny, the in the Console Settings => Audio of the XBOX, the only choices I have are to select "Digital Audio", which leads to 3 different choices: Digital Stereo, Digital 5.1, and Digital 5.1 with something (I forgot, I'm not home now)..

My setup is pretty good---Polk Audio RTiA3 bookshelves + Pioneer receiver with 110w/channel + 15 inch Velodyne sub. It's not that it doesn't sound good---it does, but when I compare the sound of the MP3 played by the XBOX, and then the same MP3 played by the internal Pioneer AV receiver USB port, the difference is big. The XBOX 360 sound kind of lacks the crisp and sounding highs and mids, I don't know how to explain...

 

[corsara]

Don't just say "Oh well". I think you've got a wrong, or at least less than optimal, setting somewhere in the chain. I'm quite happy with the audio from my 360. What is your 360 set to output, 5.1 or 2.0?

My sound system is 2.1, so I chose the XBOX to output in Digital Stereo. I tried 5.1 and the other option, didn't notice any difference....should I have noticed a difference?

 

[corey]

My sound system is 2.1, so I chose the XBOX to output in Digital Stereo. I tried 5.1 and the other option, didn't notice any difference....should I have noticed a difference?

How about a definite "maybe"? As I recall, when I set my 360 up it defaulted to 5.1, and I only got sound out of my front L&R speakers. Changing to stereo let my Denon receiver process the audio & use the surround & sub channels. Your problem doesn't sound just like that, more the opposite, but it points to a possible solution. Look at the interaction between your 360 and receiver - when you play mp3's does it go into a diferent processing mode?

 

[corsara]

Well, I tried everything, still no luck. Please, don't get me wrong---if I crank up the system, it sounds great, the whole sound spectrum is there, sound is great. But let's say I'm listening at low volume, something like 15 on the receiver (1-100), then the difference is huge---through the XBOX, I can barely hear the mid and highs, while the bass is still there (I've got a 15 inch 1000W sub). But if I play the same mp3 from the receiver itself---it sounds great, despite the low volume...hmm... i really tried everything. I'll stick with the XBOX for mp3 playback as browsing the folders and songs on the receiver is too sluggish and slow, but I feel bad that I need to compromise the sound for that..

 

[deangrazy]

Does game audio go over the same RCA cable? Is it fine?

yes mine works fine...i use the same RCA cable.i dont know your entire configuration.can you elaborate more...?