Why the heck are PS3 games so loud compared to Blu and 360

[Matt S]

Trying to see how close I am to all of this

From what I call tell: 360 supports digital audio only; PS3 will support PCM (if receiver handles it via HDMI which mine does) and blu movies via PS3 do the same

what bugs a bit, when I used just my tv, I played everything at the same level- more or less. Now that I use a receiver with all these fancy audio format options, I play:

Blu movies at level 47 of my receiver
PS3 games at 39 (they are noticeable louder than everything else)
360 at 45

I did test Dead Space on my PS3 and 360 and both sound great via 5.1, however, the PS3 version was much, much louder and system had to be turned down

Anything I can do to adjust this directly on the PS3...Sure, I can turn it down no problem. Just trying to see if many have different level issues depending on format/system?

Thanks

[ghebert]

I have noticed the same thing....I think it's because they put the surround effects louder...maybe something else. I usually listen to movies at -20db to -16db but with PS3 games I have to turn it way down to -45db or so...that's a 25-29db difference. Of course I could put to about -30 or so to have it the same loudness as movies, but I like my movies louder anyway.

[johaen]

It's not like that for me. Most PS3 games I have the volume set to -34 to -36. Cable and movies (DVD and BD) I have the volume set to -26 to -28 (0 is max volume). It's all hooked up through fiber optic to my receiver, so maybe that makes a difference?

[Steve]

Maybe you should ask this in HT General Discussion or Blu-ray Games and PS3 or Off Topic. Your question, while interesting, doesn't really have anything to do with speakers and you might get more responses a different forum area.

[aramis109]

For me, the 360 is much louder than the PS3 whether it be games or movies. For some reason my receiver detects it as needing a +4db boost. I'm running optical for the 360 and HDMI for the PS3. I have noticed though that PS3 games I run at about -30/31db and movies about -27db and louder. The 360 I run at -35db, consistently.

Agree with fireman- just pm a mod to move the thread into the appropriate area.

[Matt S]

Thanks, everyone. Yeah, meant to post in the receiver section

Interesting how everyones situation is a tad different. No doubt the receiver differences is a main factor.....

still reading up/educating myself of this crazy 5.1 world Ive entered

[aramis109]

Oh, and there are some volume settings in the PS3 and 360 menus. Personally I would recommend leaving them alone, but give them a try if you like. Boosting them is in my opinion a bad thing since the amplifiers in those devices aren't going to be as good as in your receiver by nature, and turning them down could do more than just dial down the volume- it could introduce dialog normalization or compressing of the dynamic range.