Center channel distortion?

[dg5150]

Here's a question: I notice in a lot of movies a small bit of what sounds like distortion in my center channel. Happens usually when a male voice is shouting. Does not occur when playing SACD/DVD-A, don't notice it as much in Dolby Digital tv signal. Seems to occur more with DTS HDMA and PCM tracks. I googled center channel distortion and found forums going back to 2006 with the same problem, multiple receivers, multiple speakers. People were also saying they went to a retailer and heard the same phenomenon on multiple setups as well. By the way, I did trade out my speaker and the same thing happened when I tested a bookshelf in the center. It also did it when before I upgraded to my Elite receiver (Pio 920 before then). I also played a frequency sweep and could hear no distortion in the center channel, so the speaker is not blown.

So what causes this? I have to believe it is the source recording. Is the HD audio so "good" that it brings out the flaws in the track as well? Just wondering your thoughts.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by dg5150

Here's a question: I notice in a lot of movies a small bit of what sounds like distortion in my center channel. Happens usually when a male voice is shouting. Does not occur when playing SACD/DVD-A, don't notice it as much in Dolby Digital tv signal. Seems to occur more with DTS HDMA and PCM tracks. I googled center channel distortion and found forums going back to 2006 with the same problem, multiple receivers, multiple speakers. People were also saying they went to a retailer and heard the same phenomenon on multiple setups as well. By the way, I did trade out my speaker and the same thing happened when I tested a bookshelf in the center. It also did it when before I upgraded to my Elite receiver (Pio 920 before then). I also played a frequency sweep and could hear no distortion in the center channel, so the speaker is not blown.

So what causes this? I have to believe it is the source recording. Is the HD audio so "good" that it brings out the flaws in the track as well? Just wondering your thoughts.

Can you give us the frequency response numbers for your speakers and the crossover numbers you are using?

If there is no physical problem with the receiver and/or the speaker, the only other thing is the level and crossover set for the center channel speaker. First of all, get an SPL meter and check the level of the center speaker to make sure it is not set too high. Next, experiment with the crossover frequencies for the center channel and increase the numbers from 80Hz to 160Hz and see if it makes any difference.

If nothing else help, you may have to buy a more powerful center speaker. Also, make sure the center speaker is not inside a cabinet as the sides of the cabinet will interfere with the speaker.