I Think I Hate My Sound Set-Up..

[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.

[Blu Titan]

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]

What would you suggest to do?

[simcal]

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

[BIslander]

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]

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]

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...

[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.

[dobyblue]

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.