is it me, the a/v setting or the speakers?

[avncars]

i just recently completed my theater and am starting to second guess all my decesions in equipment...my current setup is 7.1, for front L/R i have Paradigm studio 100 V.5's, my center is a Paradigm CC-690, side surrounds are Paradigm adp-370's and my rear surrounds are Paradigm studio 10 V.5's on stands, and a Jl f112 and Jl f113. The problem im having is i feel like my front sound stage sounds absolutely incredible along with the subs. but the side and rears arent too noticeable at all. i know the surround channels arent suppose to be over powering and are for surround effect, but unless i get really close to them i cant even tell that there on. to power them i have a Marantz Sr8001 for my preout and a B&K 200.7 amp. i used the Marantz in my previos setup, and lost the manual for it long ago. im not really sure which setting is best to leave the Marantz on, and not sure if that would help make my surrounds become more noticeable. would it be stupid to get another pair of Paradigm studio 100's for my rear speakers or is that overkill? im also wondering if my side surrounds are placed too high, the bottom of the speaker begins at about 6' 6". i have no choice for the height cause i dont want people walking into them, but some dipole/bipoles have a speaker mounted at the bottom. would that help me? any suggestions, help or info would be greatly appreciated...

[progers13]

All of your gear is really good, and so after reading your post, it brought a couple of suggestions to mind.

First, and most importantly (IMHO), have you calibrated your system using an SPL meter? I know, receivers have the auto calibrate function, but those are prone to be problematic. Ideally what you want is for all speakers to be at the same volume level at your listening position. You can get an SPL meter from Radio Shack (or other places). Turn up the volume on your receiver so that your front speakers are at 75 dbs. Then, play test tones through each discrete speaker and monitor the reading on the SPL meter (place it at ear level at your listening position). Make whatever + or - adjustments you need to make in your receiver's speaker level settings so that your entire setup is matched at 75 dbs. You could go higher on subs if you like, but probably no more than 85 dbs.

Second, the height of your rears shouldn't be that big of a deal if you adjust for them. Meaning, when you calibrate, you may have to bump their levels up a few decibels to match the 75 dbs levels of your front soundstage. Also, if possible, try to angle them downward to the listening area (depending on how you have them setup, this could be as simple as putting some wood shims under the back of them to lift the back and angle the front down).

I'd recommend trying these things before changing out speakers. It made a big difference in my setup.

[-DLS-]

I'm with progers13 - calibrating with an SPL meter will probably give you the surround experience you're looking for. Check out Big_Daddy's thread - Calibrating Your Audio With an SPL Meter.. good info and very easy to follow. We've got a very similar audio setup and it will sound much better once calibrated - I was way off trying to set the levels myself and calibrating with an SPL meter has made a big difference in movie watching and multi-ch music listening everything will blend perfectly.

[Blu_balls]

http://us.marantz.com/DFU_SR7001_SR8001_final_eng.pdf

Now you have a new Marantz manual

[ManUtd]

If you calibrated your setup properly it could be the source. What source are you playing when you say the surround speakers are weak?

[ldgibson76]

Hello avncar.

It's time for you to create a thread in the "Home Theater Galleries" section.
With a system like the one you have, it's almost mandatory that you do so!
Plus, it allows for a better platform for fellow posters to express their opinions about your system and room. And you'll definitely will get a lot of feedback with any inquiries you pose. Not to mention, it's a great group of guys over there! You ought to check it out.

By the way, you really need to read the Marantz owners manual. Marantz is very descriptive and helpful in explaining how to get the most out of your rear surround field.

The SPL meter will help no doubt, but your settings for the rears which will be dependent on what surround mode you select, is just as important as the calibration. Trust me on this one!

I also left a comment and rating in your gallery. Great photos!

[avncars]

WOW, thanks for the responses! i just got back home with an spl meter. im gonna try this out and pray it works...thanks for the manual too. i had no idea you could get the entire thing from the internet(im not very computer savy) and to that last question, its on every movie i watch. EVERYBODY else that has been over to watch a movie is blown away, meanwhile i am crawling around the room with my face up against the speakers every 15 minutes to make sure they are on! everyone yells at me and tells me im out of my mind and it sounds great...i'll try this cool little thing out as soon as my son is done yelling into it and watching the needle go back and forth! Thank you all so much again and i'll get back in a few

[Blu_balls]

You'd be amazed at what you can find on the internet really. For things like that, just type in exactly what you need, "Marantz SR8001 manual". Google figures the rest out and gives you your options. As for moving the little needle on the SPL, I still do that and I'm 30! I try it with lots of things though just to see what happens.

[avncars]

thank you ldgibson76, but i wouldnt know where to begin to do what you said. im learning to navigate a computer now. you should see how long it takes me to type these messages here!

[progers13]

One other thing to add, avncars. Not all media is coded for 7.1 playback. If you want to play 5.1 media in 7.1, you will have to set your receiver to matrix the sound. Otherwise only the 5 speakers that have been programmed by the sound engineer will play sound. The other 2 will be silent. I'm not familiar with your AVR, but usually this means setting your surround sound to Pro Logic IIx. Not everyone favors matrixing the audio, but I like it. And it gets sound coming from all your speakers all the time, not just on the 100 or so movies that are coded for it.

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by progers13

One other thing to add, avncars. Not all media is coded for 7.1 playback. If you want to play 5.1 media in 7.1, you will have to set your receiver to matrix the sound. Otherwise only the 5 speakers that have been programmed by the sound engineer will play sound. The other 2 will be silent. I'm not familiar with your AVR, but usually this means setting your surround sound to Pro Logic IIx. Not everyone favors matrixing the audio, but I like it. And it gets sound coming from all your speakers all the time, not just on the 100 or so movies that are coded for it.

+1 Good advice Progers13!

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by avncars

thank you ldgibson76, but i wouldnt know where to begin to do what you said. im learning to navigate a computer now. you should see how long it takes me to type these messages here!

Start a thread here, Click this link and remember to post in it and you will get fast results.

[curse]

What where you testing your sound with? A good surround movie like master and commander?

[avncars]

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

[rpatt]

That's a really beautiful theater you and your Dad built. Gotta love twin Fathoms.

[avncars]

thanks. they sound great despite what everyone says about not being able to use different sizes...

[progers13]

Originally Posted by avncars

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

I wouldn't sweat that. Before I calibrated I would have my master volume setting at 37. After I calibrated it became 43. What really matters is the amount of power you're pushing to your speakers. Numbers on a dial / screen aren't really that important in that sense. So long as you are not experiencing clipping or distortion (signs that you're putting too much strain on your amp), you are good to go. Enjoy your newly calibrated setup!

1 other thing to add: if pushing your receiver too hard concerns you, you could always add an amp to the mix. In fact, given the awesome setup you have, some people might even recommend it. Many people here use an amp in their setup. I personally don't, so my knowledge is a bit limited on it, but others can weigh in on it to help you out.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by progers13

I wouldn't sweat that. Before I calibrated I would have my master volume setting at 37. After I calibrated it became 43. What really matters is the amount of power you're pushing to your speakers. Numbers on a dial / screen aren't really that important in that sense. So long as you are not experiencing clipping or distortion (signs that you're putting too much strain on your amp), you are good to go. Enjoy your newly calibrated setup!

1 other thing to add: if pushing your receiver too hard concerns you, you could always add an amp to the mix. In fact, given the awesome setup you have, some people might even recommend it. Many people here use an amp in their setup. I personally don't, so my knowledge is a bit limited on it, but others can weigh in on it to help you out.

The OP is already using an amp.

Originally Posted by avncars

i just recently completed my theater and am starting to second guess all my decesions in equipment...my current setup is 7.1, for front L/R i have Paradigm studio 100 V.5's, my center is a Paradigm CC-690, side surrounds are Paradigm adp-370's and my rear surrounds are Paradigm studio 10 V.5's on stands, and a Jl f112 and Jl f113. The problem im having is i feel like my front sound stage sounds absolutely incredible along with the subs. but the side and rears arent too noticeable at all. i know the surround channels arent suppose to be over powering and are for surround effect, but unless i get really close to them i cant even tell that there on. to power them i have a Marantz Sr8001 for my preout and a B&K 200.7 amp. i used the Marantz in my previos setup, and lost the manual for it long ago. im not really sure which setting is best to leave the Marantz on, and not sure if that would help make my surrounds become more noticeable. would it be stupid to get another pair of Paradigm studio 100's for my rear speakers or is that overkill? im also wondering if my side surrounds are placed too high, the bottom of the speaker begins at about 6' 6". i have no choice for the height cause i dont want people walking into them, but some dipole/bipoles have a speaker mounted at the bottom. would that help me? any suggestions, help or info would be greatly appreciated...

[progers13]

Originally Posted by avncars

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

Originally Posted by fireman325

The OP is already using an amp.

Well, there you go. Sorry, I missed that. I read his original post yesterday morning when I was trying to help him. I forgot when I posted it this morning.

In that case, you should be ok.

[Stu123]

Originally Posted by avncars

well i did it. all the surrounds are much better, they are noticeable now. thank you all. only thing now is the volume knob has to be turned much higher to be anywhere near the volume it was before the calibration. i assume this is normal since all the levels were dropped. would i get the same effect and blending from all the speakers if i just raised the decibel level on the spl and set it the same way, but have a higher volume at a lower level on the control knob? its just before 14 on the marantz volume was loud, now i have to go to like -8 to sound good(i like it loud). i just dont want to hurt my Marantz maxing out the knob, i dont know if that can hurt anything or not???

i max out my knob all the time