Blu-ray, PS3, PCM-direct, Denon AVR-888 = no bass

[TheZoof]

Hey all,

I decided to break down and take advantage of a deal for the Denon AVR-888. I am really happy with the clarity and options compared to my AVR-588 that I previously owned but I can't seem to figure something out...

I have the AVR-888 connected to my PS3 via HDMI.

The first thing I did was listen to some music. It seems the only option I have is "Multi Channel", "Stereo" and "5ch Stereo". If I choose "Pure" then it outputs in the front speakers only and doesn't use the sub. I think this is expected for direct sound. Problem is it seems I am in need of new front speakers now. LOL

I decided to load in my Blade Runner Blu-ray to see how this looked and sounded. On a side note I learned a few things about my PS3 tonight as well as my TV. I got the picture looking the best it has ever looked. Now comes to the sound...

If I leave it as PCM Linear then I only get the same options as playing music. If I leave it on "Multi Channel" then it sounds good. I mean definitely better than my AVR-588 on any Toslink connection I used. I can also use any bitstream output for PS3 and it detects Dolby Digital just fine and seems to sound ok(but I could not get it to do Dolby Digital EX or DTS but that is just a bonus question)... anyways... to my question.

I click the "pure" button and the sound is amazing. UNTIL... I realize there is little to no bass. It seems that it doesn't use the subwoofer. Am I doing something wrong or is this what you would expect from a bluray using direct PCM 5.1? I am thinking there is something wrong with crossover or subwoofer settings. I have tried all range of crossover and have the sub set to "LFE+main". I do understand that when I used the "pure" button that it only outputs the original source but I would expect the sub to have any low frequency sounds from the recording. Hopefully with your experience I can get things working 100%.

If this is working as expected then my question is how do you get 5.1 PCM or 7.1 PCM directly into your speakers if it doesn't recognize the sub to use that .1?

Thanks all!!

[TheZoof]

Hey all.

I just took advantage of the $399.99 CDN deal for the AVR-888. I was looking at other receivers but for the price I think this is the only one my wife wouldn't kill me for.

I was playing with options and I realize PCM from music sounds really flat on my little infinity(no LF) speakers. Obviously the PCM is not going to use the subwoofer at all so I am thinking of buying some new Front Speakers.

I have two questions:

1. What speakers would you guys get in the range of about $400-500(currently I am thinking Titan Monitor by Paradigm).

3. Would I be able to use these front speakers in my current surround setup and move my current fronts to the back(they are the same as my current back speakers) without them overpowering everything else all the time?

Thanks,

[Dagger]

Titans are good at that price range.

You should see if you could audition these as well. They don't go very low, but if you are running with a sub...

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/product...s-520-shielded


Not sure about the rears, but seeing that the rears are more for background sound, I don't think the receiver would actually send anything over that would end up overpowering the fronts.

[TheZoof]

What do you guys think of these?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

[TheZoof]

Dagger - Thanks for the reply. Those seem nice too but I need something with some low because I don't want to use the sub listening to music. That's my concern and why I am considering this upgrade.

I was also thinking of Monitor 7 but a little out of my price range.

[Clark Kent]

How is your PS3 set? Are you bitstreaming the lossy audio tracks or are you decoding the lossless tracks in the PS3 and sending them via multi-channel PCM to the receiver?

[TheZoof]

I am using the lossless track from the bluray to the Amp.

If I use bitrate things seem to sound as I would expect. It just seems there is no LF in the few blurays I watched(Blade Runner, 2001 and Troy).

[Johk]

Hey TheZoof,

I have the AVR-988 and the LFE is active in the Pure direct mode for 5.1 PCM (and 7.1 PCM)...

It should be the same with the AVR-888

[crackinhedz]

when listening to audio CD's go into the PS3 menu and unselect 5.1-7.1PCM.

This should output your audio in 2.0 PCM and will allow your sub to play.


(yes, its an annying feature of the PS3 with regards to two channel music.)

[Y2K000]

I got a Denon 1909 AVR and I have some similar things as well. I just got my reciever last week. Can someone who is familar with Denon Recievers please PM me so I can ask questions on this. I use a PS3 as well and Denon has LOTS of options and I am not use to it as of now. Please O' Please help.. LOL

[Johk]

TheZoof,

Did you solve your problem? I could try a couple of things for you.

Y2K000, you can PM with your questions if you want and I'll try to answer them as best as I can.

[TheZoof]

Johk,

Thanks! I think I solved my problem.

I think the end result is that I didn't realize what PCM actually does. It seems that the subwoofer is working but only when expected to work. I think the main problem is when using "pure" or "Multi Ch Direct" it plays the music only in the front speakers. My speakers are so small that it doesn't have and LFE.

Now that I have watched a complete movie in that mode I can say it does sound good and clear. Transformers was great for most of the action scenes. The big problem however is when there is some great music it sounds "lack luster".

If I use the "Multi Ch" option(not direct) then it seems to work as expected but does not sound as "crisp".

I will just wait to move out of my apartment and get a new set of speakers in the future that will handle LFE.



crackinhedz: I have been turning the Denon to "Stereo" mode or "5ch Stereo" and it sounds not too bad but I will try your suggestion. I think the sound is better in PCM.