Center speaker lacking volume output - Blu-ray Forum

Kuraudo · 03-22-2008, 10:17 PM

Ok so I have a

Infinity C250 (91db sensitivity)
and Boston Acoustics CR67 (89db sensitivity)
Theoretically if I lower the volume of the Infinity by -3db
on my PIONEER VSX-815 Receiver the volume should be the same.

I checked all the settings and set the Speaker to be LARGE as well and the wiring is correct in the back according to polarity and tightness in the back of the speaker and receiver.

However the volume is really low, it sounds several times lower than the LR channels. The sound quality on DTS ps3 games and movies sound kind of "tunnel like"

I bought my speaker off of ebay so how do now I'm worried if I got a "counterfeit speaker" but the build quality seems all very good and heavyweight.

Since the overall volume still is low, I have it at 0db.
At this level its still very low.

Any other input on this speaker and amp combo?
Everyone complains that they can't hear the movie unless I switch to stereo mode.

Slec · 03-22-2008, 10:34 PM

have you tried messing with the receiver's DSP modes? well, besides stereo that is.

gearyt · 03-22-2008, 11:02 PM

1st... swap two speakers and see if it follows
2nd... how is your ps2 hooked up ? Optical ??multi, or red/white

ManUtd · 03-22-2008, 11:04 PM

Does this still happen if you leave the speaker levels as is after running MCACC?

moviefan · 03-22-2008, 11:05 PM

If you have a subwoofer, set all the speakers to "small".
Why different brands of speakers? You could have a compatibility issue here.
Are all the speakers 8 ohms? If the center is 4 ohm, and the rest are 8 ohm, you will never get the volume from the center!

gearyt · 03-22-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moviefan

Are all the speakers 8 ohms? If the center is 4 ohm, and the rest are 8 ohm, you will never get the volume from the center!

This will be corrected by running MCACC

Kuraudo · 03-23-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

This will be corrected by running MCACC

Yes, precisely. I have MCACC on, and checked it on OFF (default settings)
no good still.

Setting speakers to small doesn't help matters in sound quality, since my speakers are full sized. Tried that, sounded ugly.

gearyt · 03-23-2008, 02:26 AM

still need to know how you have the amp connected
did you try swapping speakers ??

gearyt · 03-23-2008, 02:51 AM

It really sounds like you are running in stereo mode - 2 ch

Slec · 03-23-2008, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

It really sounds like you are running in stereo mode - 2 ch

No doubt... Let's start at the beginning. Was everything in working order before you bought these speakers?

Do your PS3 sound settings need to be changed to allow more than Stereo? Sometimes the "automatic" sound setting doesn't pick up DTS and other codecs, so manual might need to be selected and then you can pick the other codecs.
What are you running from the playstation to your receiver?

Kuraudo · 03-24-2008, 08:09 AM

I'm not in 2 channel. PC sources, and dvds from it running DTS show up on the receiver.

I connected my old Klipsch Promedia center speaker again and its much louder and clearer although much smaller and weaker (60 watt/6ohm).

I think I'll be calling up Infinity and ask about my options.
Since I bought it off of ebay, I'm pushing my luck. I wonder if they can fix the speaker for a nominal fee less than $100. If its more, might as well shop for a new center.

The ps3 has nothing to do with this as this problem has persisted from the day I bought the speaker, before I got a PS3. People kept recommending i change settings but there isn't any change regardless.

I don't know why you guys are talking about different Ohms, my fronts and center are all 8 ohms. Actually I was wrong the center is 90db sens and the Bostons are 89db sens, so its not that far off from each other.

I have different speakers because i'm not rich and I started out from just PC speakers and upgraded my Fronts only first. The center speaker from Boston was only available in the set with a passive radiator and speaker (not dual speakers) and was twice the cost of this Infinity.
I'm slowly replacing each piece of my component at a time.

Beta Man · 03-24-2008, 12:30 PM

SPL meter

haste · 03-24-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

SPL meter

+1

Kuraudo · 03-24-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haste

+1

I don't need a f*ckin SPL meter to say this speaker is weak and garbly, no one in the room can hear it, it has a distorted sound to it.

In the meantime the Klipsch PC speaker is doing a much better job
and all I did was switch that out and left it at -2.5db in the channel adjustments to adjust for the Ohms and wwattage.

Pelican170 · 03-24-2008, 04:39 PM

Maybe its just that your Klipsch is a better speaker in general? Maybe the Infinity is defective. Have you tried raising the DB for the center channel alone? maybe your receiver is on its way out and the center channel has a power issue? Could be many things...

Beta Man · 03-24-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuraudo

I don't need a f*ckin SPL meter to say this speaker is weak and garbly, no one in the room can hear it, it has a distorted sound to it. In the meantime the Klipsch PC speaker is doing a much better job
and all I did was switch that out and left it at -2.5db in the channel adjustments to adjust for the Ohms and wwattage.

I must admit, I failed to read your previous and latest posts before suggesting the SPL (as many people think more, or less should be coming from the center, or fronts, which actually many people try to force too much dialog through the L/R rather than the center, but I digress)

After reading, and the fact that you're stating that the sound is "tunnel like" and the fact that you've described the sound as "garbled" since you got it via Ebay, I'm going to bet that it is a defective or damaged speaker in some way. Possibly even blown, or knocked a magnet loose before repackaging as new????? was it sold as "new" ? Do you have any reason to believe the seller wasn't established/reputable?

also, although it may not help your present situation, I suggest EVERYONE invest in an SPL meter.......

blujacket · 03-24-2008, 05:04 PM

No way a bookshelf/center speaker with a 5" woofer is LARGE. Set the speakers to SMALL and adjust the crossover to 100

Kuraudo · 03-24-2008, 07:50 PM

^ Nothing to do with the crossover, anyways it outputs +/-3db on 55hz, I like it warmer sounding. I did try what you said though for kicks, but read below..

Anyways Betaman fair enough I thought you were trying to insult me , but its ok

So we go, the VERDICT:

Infinity told me my woofers are either blown or damaged from shipping and can be easily replaced. Infinity said I just need to fax them my receipt (they MIGHT take the ebay paypal receipt) and will send out the woofers free and all I have to do is unscrew them and put them on.
If they don't take the warranty, the woofers are 32.64 each and I need two of them. Either way its less than the $80 in which I thought it would cost to repair.

I'll update you guys later.

Kuraudo · 03-26-2008, 04:29 AM

infinity is already mailing a replacement, but I have no idea if they are sending a replacement for both woofers

Kuraudo · 03-28-2008, 03:16 AM

Got my SINGLE woofer/driver in but not sure how to remove the 2 wires from the bad woofer , its clamped on. Do i yank it? Or do I need a tool? what kind of tool?

I listened carefully and I think the right speaker sounds worse than the left so I'm going to replace the right one.

(moved to correct thread)

03-22-2008, 10:17 PM	#1
Kuraudo Active Member Member since:Feb 2008	Center speaker lacking volume output Ok so I have a Infinity C250 (91db sensitivity) and Boston Acoustics CR67 (89db sensitivity) Theoretically if I lower the volume of the Infinity by -3db on my PIONEER VSX-815 Receiver the volume should be the same. I checked all the settings and set the Speaker to be LARGE as well and the wiring is correct in the back according to polarity and tightness in the back of the speaker and receiver. However the volume is really low, it sounds several times lower than the LR channels. The sound quality on DTS ps3 games and movies sound kind of "tunnel like" I bought my speaker off of ebay so how do now I'm worried if I got a "counterfeit speaker" but the build quality seems all very good and heavyweight. Since the overall volume still is low, I have it at 0db. At this level its still very low. Any other input on this speaker and amp combo? Everyone complains that they can't hear the movie unless I switch to stereo mode.

03-22-2008, 11:02 PM	#3
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	1st... swap two speakers and see if it follows 2nd... how is your ps2 hooked up ? Optical ??multi, or red/white Last edited by gearyt; 03-22-2008 at 11:10 PM.

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03-22-2008, 10:34 PM	#2
Slec Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Baltimore, MD Home Theater Gallery:29 Blu-ray collection:241 Blu-ray reviews: 7 Trading Score:30	have you tried messing with the receiver's DSP modes? well, besides stereo that is.

03-22-2008, 11:04 PM	#4
ManUtd Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Location:In my HT Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:15 Blu-ray collection:829 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:5	Does this still happen if you leave the speaker levels as is after running MCACC?

03-22-2008, 11:05 PM	#5
moviefan Senior Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Orchard Park, NY	If you have a subwoofer, set all the speakers to "small". Why different brands of speakers? You could have a compatibility issue here. Are all the speakers 8 ohms? If the center is 4 ohm, and the rest are 8 ohm, you will never get the volume from the center!

03-23-2008, 02:26 AM	#8
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	still need to know how you have the amp connected did you try swapping speakers ??

03-23-2008, 02:51 AM	#9
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	It really sounds like you are running in stereo mode - 2 ch

03-24-2008, 08:09 AM	#11
Kuraudo Active Member Member since:Feb 2008	I'm not in 2 channel. PC sources, and dvds from it running DTS show up on the receiver. I connected my old Klipsch Promedia center speaker again and its much louder and clearer although much smaller and weaker (60 watt/6ohm). I think I'll be calling up Infinity and ask about my options. Since I bought it off of ebay, I'm pushing my luck. I wonder if they can fix the speaker for a nominal fee less than $100. If its more, might as well shop for a new center. The ps3 has nothing to do with this as this problem has persisted from the day I bought the speaker, before I got a PS3. People kept recommending i change settings but there isn't any change regardless. I don't know why you guys are talking about different Ohms, my fronts and center are all 8 ohms. Actually I was wrong the center is 90db sens and the Bostons are 89db sens, so its not that far off from each other. I have different speakers because i'm not rich and I started out from just PC speakers and upgraded my Fronts only first. The center speaker from Boston was only available in the set with a passive radiator and speaker (not dual speakers) and was twice the cost of this Infinity. I'm slowly replacing each piece of my component at a time.

03-24-2008, 12:30 PM	#12
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	SPL meter

03-24-2008, 04:39 PM	#15
Pelican170 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Newtown, CT 4K collection:127 Blu-ray collection:735 DVD collection:256 Trading Score:13	Maybe its just that your Klipsch is a better speaker in general? Maybe the Infinity is defective. Have you tried raising the DB for the center channel alone? maybe your receiver is on its way out and the center channel has a power issue? Could be many things...

03-24-2008, 05:04 PM	#17
blujacket Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Dayton,Ohio 4K collection:70 Blu-ray collection:658	No way a bookshelf/center speaker with a 5" woofer is LARGE. Set the speakers to SMALL and adjust the crossover to 100

03-24-2008, 07:50 PM	#18
Kuraudo Active Member Member since:Feb 2008	^ Nothing to do with the crossover, anyways it outputs +/-3db on 55hz, I like it warmer sounding. I did try what you said though for kicks, but read below.. Anyways Betaman fair enough I thought you were trying to insult me , but its ok So we go, the VERDICT: Infinity told me my woofers are either blown or damaged from shipping and can be easily replaced. Infinity said I just need to fax them my receipt (they MIGHT take the ebay paypal receipt) and will send out the woofers free and all I have to do is unscrew them and put them on. If they don't take the warranty, the woofers are 32.64 each and I need two of them. Either way its less than the $80 in which I thought it would cost to repair. I'll update you guys later.

03-26-2008, 04:29 AM	#19
Kuraudo Active Member Member since:Feb 2008	infinity is already mailing a replacement, but I have no idea if they are sending a replacement for both woofers

03-28-2008, 03:16 AM	#20
Kuraudo Active Member Member since:Feb 2008	Got my SINGLE woofer/driver in but not sure how to remove the 2 wires from the bad woofer , its clamped on. Do i yank it? Or do I need a tool? what kind of tool? I listened carefully and I think the right speaker sounds worse than the left so I'm going to replace the right one. (moved to correct thread)

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