I Think I Hate My Sound Set-Up.. - Blu-ray Forum

nerdboyrockstar · 08-29-2009, 07:56 PM

Okay, I've realized that with my sound set-up, I have to turn up the volume pretty loud to really hear clear dialogue.

But once I do that, any time soundtrack music is played or they want to throw in a loud sound effect, I'm reaching for the remote.. so what gives? I know the audio is supposed to be powerful and blow the roof off...but I wish the sound were more balanced with the dialogue at the forefront.

Is it the mixing I'm not a fan of? I mean I don't have a problem with certain movies like Twilight or Sex & the City (more dialogue-driven mixes) but then watching Race to Witch Mountain recently and something else was a nightmare.

I have a PS3 and running it into a Yamaha receiver with Sony speakers.. with HDMI and optical cable.

Blu Titan · 08-29-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerdboyrockstar

Okay, I've realized that with my sound set-up, I have to turn up the volume pretty loud to really hear clear dialogue.

But once I do that, any time soundtrack music is played or they want to throw in a loud sound effect, I'm reaching for the remote.. so what gives? I know the audio is supposed to be powerful and blow the roof off...but I wish the sound were more balanced with the dialogue at the forefront.

Is it the mixing I'm not a fan of? I mean I don't have a problem with certain movies like Twilight or Sex & the City (more dialogue-driven mixes) but then watching Race to Witch Mountain recently and something else was a nightmare.

I have a PS3 and running it into a Yamaha receiver with Sony speakers.. with HDMI and optical cable.

It could be that your center is overwhelmed by the other speakers.

nerdboyrockstar · 08-29-2009, 08:10 PM

What would you suggest to do?

simcal · 08-29-2009, 08:24 PM

what model number do you have as my yamaha has a night time button

BIslander · 08-29-2009, 08:24 PM

Start out by calibrating your system with an SPL meter. In a few movies (TDK, for example), dialog may get lost in the special effects. But, that should not happen very often. If calibrating doesn't fix the problem, try kicking up the volume of your center channel a few dB. You may also need to reposition it.

You could try applying dynamic range control (DRC), which lowers the loudness of special effects in relation to dialog. DRC usually only works with Dolby tracks, although some players and AVRs have their own night mode settings which may work with DTS and PCM sources as well. Check the PS3 manual to see how it applies DRC.

Is your center part of a matched set of front speakers?

nerdboyrockstar · 08-29-2009, 08:27 PM

I have a Yamaha RX V-361..

And the center channel is part of a 5.1 set yeah. The Front Left and Front Right are about two feet away.

Moefiz · 08-29-2009, 08:36 PM

Could be your center is too low it might need to be adjusted.

Also check and see if you have a DRC option on your receiver...if this is on that would cause your audio to be low...

ldominicano · 08-29-2009, 08:56 PM

same exact problem

possibly the same speakers

...

...i have sony speakers as well and suffered the exact same problem. It was like hear the dialog and no surround effect or hear the effects and maybe catch the dialog lol

I noticed a substantial difference in only changing the placement of the speaker. my center use to be in my entertainment center like at knee level from where the seats are and i moved it to a shelf above the tv.

Also changing the distance/level settings (as mentioned above) in the receiver helps to blend it all even it out. I think im almost where i want to be but i cant help but to feel im not getting the most out of it

lol

good luck!!!

7.1 thru onkyo 605:

front - SSF5000
center - SSCN5000
bookshelfs - SSB1000
sw - SAW2500

BIslander · 08-29-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moefiz

Also check and see if you have a DRC option on your receiver...if this is on that would cause your audio to be low...

DRC does not cause audio to be low. Rather, it allows you to listen at lower volumes because you can hear all of the dialog. DRC leaves average dialog alone and compresses the extremes - lowering the volume of loud sounds (effects) and boosting the volume of quiet sounds (whispers). At any rate, using DRC could help the OP with his problem.

StimpsonJCat · 08-31-2009, 06:04 PM

A few things...

I think the center channel is very important because it handles most of the dialog. You should make sure you use a quality center channel and upgrade if it is lacking.

Level matching with an SPL Meter (as mentioned before) is a good idea. You can even bump the center channel level up a couple if it seems low compared to the rest after level matching.

DRC can help, but I've never been much of a fan until my latest AVR. My Denon has Audyssey and its MultEQ, DynamicEQ, and Dynamic Volume features have done great things with my system for dialog.

Making sure you have the front soundstage timbre matched (L, C, & R). Also it is important to have the mains spread out and not all together. My gameroom is this way because I have no choice (very small room), but if you can spread the mains out.

For my current setup the dialog sounds very clear and easy to hear. I think the quality of my center channel (timbre matched to the mains), speaker placement, AVR's EQ, and level matching plays a big part in this.

jomari · 08-31-2009, 06:17 PM

dont forget, it might also be the media he may be using to test it. some out there have a 'weaker' center channel, and a clarity of a meek goat.

the other big boys are helping out with you on the other technical stuff.

its my day off. time for me to enjoy it.

Driver_King · 08-31-2009, 11:21 PM

Adjust the volume level of the center speaker to a more preferred level. If possible, add some Poly-fill to your speakers in order to improve dialog intelligibility, clarity, mid-range, ect. Also, placing your center speaker vertically will certainly improve the clarity of the dialog.

PSB_Paradigm_HSU · 09-01-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIslander

DRC does not cause audio to be low. Rather, it allows you to listen at lower volumes because you can hear all of the dialog. DRC leaves average dialog alone and compresses the extremes - lowering the volume of loud sounds (effects) and boosting the volume of quiet sounds (whispers). At any rate, using DRC could help the OP with his problem.

Obviously try DRC on and off to see which you like better but in my case I found it to be the devil...my dialog was much clearer with it OFF.

dobyblue · 09-01-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Adjust the volume level of the center speaker to a more preferred level. If possible, add some Poly-fill to your speakers in order to improve dialog intelligibility, clarity, mid-range, ect. Also, placing your center speaker vertically will certainly improve the clarity of the dialog.

I am looking forward to upgrading my centre to a floorstanding tower once I'm in my new house. Currently I have a Paradigm CC-370v4 which does have an off-axis tweeter, but I am sure if I matched the Monitor 11's with another one in the middle I'd be much happier aurally.

08-29-2009, 07:56 PM	#1
nerdboyrockstar Senior Member Member since:Aug 2008 Blu-ray collection:24 Trading Score:1	I Think I Hate My Sound Set-Up.. Okay, I've realized that with my sound set-up, I have to turn up the volume pretty loud to really hear clear dialogue. But once I do that, any time soundtrack music is played or they want to throw in a loud sound effect, I'm reaching for the remote.. so what gives? I know the audio is supposed to be powerful and blow the roof off...but I wish the sound were more balanced with the dialogue at the forefront. Is it the mixing I'm not a fan of? I mean I don't have a problem with certain movies like Twilight or Sex & the City (more dialogue-driven mixes) but then watching Race to Witch Mountain recently and something else was a nightmare. I have a PS3 and running it into a Yamaha receiver with Sony speakers.. with HDMI and optical cable.

08-29-2009, 08:24 PM	#5
BIslander Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Bainbridge Island, WA	Start out by calibrating your system with an SPL meter. In a few movies (TDK, for example), dialog may get lost in the special effects. But, that should not happen very often. If calibrating doesn't fix the problem, try kicking up the volume of your center channel a few dB. You may also need to reposition it. You could try applying dynamic range control (DRC), which lowers the loudness of special effects in relation to dialog. DRC usually only works with Dolby tracks, although some players and AVRs have their own night mode settings which may work with DTS and PCM sources as well. Check the PS3 manual to see how it applies DRC. Is your center part of a matched set of front speakers? Last edited by BIslander; 08-29-2009 at 08:32 PM.

08-29-2009, 08:56 PM	#8
ldominicano Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:O~Town Blu-ray collection:175 Blu-ray reviews:1	me too!!! same exact problem possibly the same speakers ... ...i have sony speakers as well and suffered the exact same problem. It was like hear the dialog and no surround effect or hear the effects and maybe catch the dialog lol I noticed a substantial difference in only changing the placement of the speaker. my center use to be in my entertainment center like at knee level from where the seats are and i moved it to a shelf above the tv. Also changing the distance/level settings (as mentioned above) in the receiver helps to blend it all even it out. I think im almost where i want to be but i cant help but to feel im not getting the most out of it lol good luck!!! 7.1 thru onkyo 605: front - SSF5000 center - SSCN5000 bookshelfs - SSB1000 sw - SAW2500

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08-29-2009, 08:10 PM	#3
nerdboyrockstar Senior Member Member since:Aug 2008 Blu-ray collection:24 Trading Score:1	What would you suggest to do?

08-29-2009, 08:24 PM	#4
simcal Active Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:El Cajon Home Theater Gallery:35 Blu-ray collection:499	what model number do you have as my yamaha has a night time button

08-29-2009, 08:27 PM	#6
nerdboyrockstar Senior Member Member since:Aug 2008 Blu-ray collection:24 Trading Score:1	I have a Yamaha RX V-361.. And the center channel is part of a 5.1 set yeah. The Front Left and Front Right are about two feet away.

08-29-2009, 08:36 PM	#7
Moefiz Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:288 DVD collection:20 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:70	Could be your center is too low it might need to be adjusted. Also check and see if you have a DRC option on your receiver...if this is on that would cause your audio to be low...

08-31-2009, 06:04 PM	#10
StimpsonJCat Expert Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Texas Home Theater Gallery:5	A few things... I think the center channel is very important because it handles most of the dialog. You should make sure you use a quality center channel and upgrade if it is lacking. Level matching with an SPL Meter (as mentioned before) is a good idea. You can even bump the center channel level up a couple if it seems low compared to the rest after level matching. DRC can help, but I've never been much of a fan until my latest AVR. My Denon has Audyssey and its MultEQ, DynamicEQ, and Dynamic Volume features have done great things with my system for dialog. Making sure you have the front soundstage timbre matched (L, C, & R). Also it is important to have the mains spread out and not all together. My gameroom is this way because I have no choice (very small room), but if you can spread the mains out. For my current setup the dialog sounds very clear and easy to hear. I think the quality of my center channel (timbre matched to the mains), speaker placement, AVR's EQ, and level matching plays a big part in this.

08-31-2009, 06:17 PM	#11
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	dont forget, it might also be the media he may be using to test it. some out there have a 'weaker' center channel, and a clarity of a meek goat. the other big boys are helping out with you on the other technical stuff. its my day off. time for me to enjoy it.

08-31-2009, 11:21 PM	#12
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Adjust the volume level of the center speaker to a more preferred level. If possible, add some Poly-fill to your speakers in order to improve dialog intelligibility, clarity, mid-range, ect. Also, placing your center speaker vertically will certainly improve the clarity of the dialog.

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