Trying to Improve Home Theater Performance

[loganvonstone]

I'm trying to figure out what needs to be done to improve the audio quality from my home theater system. I recently acquired a pair of Polk Monitor 60 Series II's along with a pair of floorstanding Polk loudspeakers (no idea what the model is). My center and sub are both from the Onkyo HT-SR800 HTIB. I'm using a TX-SR607 as my receiver.

After running Audyssey it improved the sound quality dramatically but it got me wondering what else I can do to improve the quality of what I already have.

Any suggestions?

[bhampton]

The is a "guide" for how to do the Audessey thingie up on AVS that's very detailed.

I think I grabbed a copy and plan to go through that method to check it out. Looks like someone put a lot of detail into trying to come up with the definitive way to get the most of the Audessey calibration program.]

Here's a link for audio setup which is likely more than you want....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=824554

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

I'm trying to figure out what needs to be done to improve the audio quality from my home theater system. I recently acquired a pair of Polk Monitor 60 Series II's along with a pair of floorstanding Polk loudspeakers (no idea what the model is). My center and sub are both from the Onkyo HT-SR800 HTIB. I'm using a TX-SR607 as my receiver.

After running Audyssey it improved the sound quality dramatically but it got me wondering what else I can do to improve the quality of what I already have.

Any suggestions?

IDK,

THESE ADDITIONS WOULD HELP:
Get a matching center( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290213 OR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290212 ).

Replacing the sub would be a good idea also( https://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers...lete-list.html ).

[bigshot]

I don't know how to make any suggestion without asking you what it seems to be missing. The varying acoustics of different rooms and room arrangements make general suggestions pointless.

The best thing to do would be to listen to well recorded acoustic music- string quartets, symphonic music, etc- and try to analyze the sound to figure out where the weak spots are. Electronic music is no good for this. The idea is to listen for the presence of natural instruments.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

IDK,

THESE ADDITIONS WOULD HELP:
Get a matching center( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290213 OR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290212 ).

Replacing the sub would be a good idea also( https://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers...lete-list.html ).

Both good ideas to start with .

[loganvonstone]

Ok. Thanks for the info. As far as what seems to be missing it's mainly the LFE. It seems to almost cut in and out randomly. I'm also trying to find the ideal placement for it.

With the center channel I made the mistake of not thinking ahead and it is positioned under my TV that is wall mounted. With just enough room. I'm assuming it would sound odd with the center channel positioned above the tv (approx 3 - 5 ft above ear level)

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

Ok. Thanks for the info. As far as what seems to be missing it's mainly the LFE. It seems to almost cut in and out randomly. I'm also trying to find the ideal placement for it.

With the center channel I made the mistake of not thinking ahead and it is positioned under my TV that is wall mounted. With just enough room. I'm assuming it would sound odd with the center channel positioned above the tv (approx 3 - 5 ft above ear level)

Could you post a picture of the front of your room.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

Ok. Thanks for the info. As far as what seems to be missing it's mainly the LFE.

If your subwoofer is from an Onkyo HTIB, then I'm not surprised..... You can only get so far with placement, etc.... You'll probably want to upgrade the sub if you're willing to part with the funds to do so...

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

Ok. Thanks for the info. As far as what seems to be missing it's mainly the LFE. It seems to almost cut in and out randomly. I'm also trying to find the ideal placement for it.

With the center channel I made the mistake of not thinking ahead and it is positioned under my TV that is wall mounted. With just enough room. I'm assuming it would sound odd with the center channel positioned above the tv (approx 3 - 5 ft above ear level)

Not at all. I have my Polk CS2 Shelf mounted above my TV, but Angled down a bit, aiming towards my primary seating area on the couch. THIS is the Mount I have ($32/Amazon), Very easy to put together, telescoping legs to help Angle your Center Up or Down. HERE is one photo of the Mount for CS2 Center Above my TV, & THIS photo gives you an even better idea.

Also, do you have an SPL Meter? Audyssey is a good start, but an SPL Meter ($50 at Radio Shack) can help dial in everything that much tighter IMO. All 7 of my Speakers were at 77 db's but I recently bumped them up a bit to 80 db's, & my 2 Subs are at 83 db's.

[loganvonstone]

As far as the sub goes I don't have an issue parting way with some cash for a better sub. It's just a matter of finding the right balance for the sound as I'm on the third floor of an apartment complex. I'll get a photo of the room uploaded once I get home from the office. I don't currently have an SPL meter. I assume there are guides to using them on the forums?

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

As far as the sub goes I don't have an issue parting way with some cash for a better sub. It's just a matter of finding the right balance for the sound as I'm on the third floor of an apartment complex. I'll get a photo of the room uploaded once I get home from the office. I don't currently have an SPL meter. I assume there are guides to using them on the forums?

https://forum.blu-ray.com/receivers/...spl-meter.html

[MrDeeds]

I have calibrated mine with the SPL meter and it made a big diffrence...Try some acoustic treatments, The Foam Factory sells acoustic foam panels for decently cheap...it can make your system sound much more crisp and spacious once you take care of all the reflections.

[kingofgrills]

There are a lot of good suggestions here. Without knowing more about your room, or seeing pictures, I would have to recommend starting with upgrading your subwoofer. A good sub that is well integrated should "disappear" into the room, so it is not distracting and able to be localized with your eyes shut.

Once you upgrade the sub, I would focus on speaker placement and alignment, followed with Audyssey and fine tuning with an SPL meter. Depending on the results, you can follow that up with accoustical room treatments.

[KASR]

Have you considered acoustic treatments? (bass mounts, panels, bass traps, etc.)
Calibration is only part of the equation - sound will still be chaotic if it's bouncing all over hell and back incorrectly in the room.

[Xenomorph]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

After running Audyssey it improved the sound quality dramatically but it got me wondering what else I can do to improve the quality of what I already have.

Any suggestions?

+1 on using an SPL to even up the speakers after running Audyssey.

[TKNice]

You'd have to shell out some cash, but adding a UMC-1 will add a lot to the detail and clarity of every soundtrack--I know I was very surprised.

There have been some issues with it up to this point but I think the latest firmware versions have fixed almost everything, especially if you mostly watch movies.

-TK

[LordoftheRings]

1. Do you have Surround speakers? If yes try this: After running Audyssey, raise their levels by one dB (Side & Rear ones).

2. <<< MOST IMPORTANT >>> Read the Audyssey Setup Guide as one member already posted the link (it is also in my sig). ...There are some very important instructions relating to the correct settings of your subwoofer, like:
- Phase = 0 degree.
- Gain (volume level) = 1/3 position.
- LPF = Bypass or highest position.

3. A new and better sub would help.

4. After Audyssey has store all the settings, manually change the speaker's x-overs to 80 Hz or even 100 Hz.

5. Make sure the LPF of the LFE is set to 120 Hz.

6. Set the Double Bass to OFF.

* Personally, I don't use my Radio Shack SPL meter anymore, only to calibrate the balance of my two subwoofers. Audyssey does an excellent job at calibrating all your channel levels. ...Check #1 suggestion.
> You can also try to raise the Center channel level by half dB to a full dB.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

Ok. Thanks for the info. As far as what seems to be missing it's mainly the LFE. It seems to almost cut in and out randomly. I'm also trying to find the ideal placement for it.

If it has a switch on the back for Auto/On/Off, Select always ON.
* Between your two Front main speakers is good, even near a front corner...

With the center channel I made the mistake of not thinking ahead and it is positioned under my TV that is wall mounted. With just enough room. I'm assuming it would sound odd with the center channel positioned above the tv (approx 3 - 5 ft above ear level)

Make sure you aim it at your listening position with the right amount of tilting.
It shoud be fine. But best is to be within a couple feet max between with the tweeters of your main Fronts (like all their tweeters).

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by TKNice

You'd have to shell out some cash, but adding a UMC-1 will add a lot to the detail and clarity of every soundtrack--I know I was very surprised.

There have been some issues with it up to this point but I think the latest firmware versions have fixed almost everything, especially if you mostly watch movies.

-TK

I don't think that the OP is ready to deal with this component; his Onkyo 607 receiver is good enough and easier to operate, in my honest opinion.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by loganvonstone

I'm trying to figure out what needs to be done to improve the audio quality from my home theater system. I recently acquired a pair of Polk Monitor 60 Series II's along with a pair of floorstanding Polk loudspeakers (no idea what the model is). My center and sub are both from the Onkyo HT-SR800 HTIB. I'm using a TX-SR607 as my receiver.

After running Audyssey it improved the sound quality dramatically but it got me wondering what else I can do to improve the quality of what I already have.

Any suggestions?

The three basic rules of improving your audio performance:

1. Speakers/Subwoofers
2. Room Treatment
3. Calibratin/Equalization with auto programs and an SPL meter