Low dialogue - Blu-ray Forum

Bigblue622 · 10-20-2009, 07:48 PM

I currently have Sony SSF-5000 L/R speakers and an old Onkyo HTiB center channel. System is calibrated with SPL meter and all speakers are equal, however in most movies it seems like the dialogue is really quiet and I'm not sure what to do? Is it as simple as bumping up the center a couple notches? Won't that overpower the L/R and reduce the soundstage?

I know I need to get a matching center but for now, I'm tight with money b/c of school and the new apartment. So any cheap solutions?

Also when looking at my gallery, does anyone have any idea on how to improve sound? I have limited space to work with the front sound stage b/c of the odd shaped room.

Thanks

callas01 · 10-20-2009, 08:15 PM

I would say that you can bump up the Center channel a little if you need, if that helps.

Also having owned the Sony SS-F5000s I can say that they are a little boomy and that may be part of the fact that you are hearing the center getting drowned out a little. Try and see if you can get a SS-CN5000 that may help.

ALso remember that some movies just have a quieter dialog then other... but then I haven't experienced that in some time.... mostly because BD's are mixed better and the speakers I have now are so much better.

VinnAY · 10-20-2009, 08:16 PM

I had the same last night with Valkyrie I could hardly make out the dialogue; yes a small adjustment on the center could help, it wont hurt to try it and revert back to your normal setting. Some films are just recorded that way it seems.

Dark Horse · 10-21-2009, 01:38 AM

Your center looks like the same one I have with my current Onkyo HTiB. It's not a very good speaker, and I always have issues with dialogue. I've ended up cranking up the center channel to be about +5db over what Audyssey says it should be at, and I finally got acceptable dialogue out of it. The dialogue's still not the greatest (it sounds muffled/muddy) but it does sound better. Since you're pairing it with better LR speakers, you might need to play around with adjusting the center channel's volume to find a level works with the towers.

I know this isn't the greatest advice, but hopefully it helps a bit.

jomari · 10-21-2009, 04:45 PM

the only cost effective workaround would be to increase the center speaker signal, decrease the fronts, then isolate the speaker with mopads (best 40 bucks ive ever invested in)...

10-20-2009, 07:48 PM	#1
Bigblue622 Active Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Kentucky Blu-ray collection:596 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	Low dialogue I currently have Sony SSF-5000 L/R speakers and an old Onkyo HTiB center channel. System is calibrated with SPL meter and all speakers are equal, however in most movies it seems like the dialogue is really quiet and I'm not sure what to do? Is it as simple as bumping up the center a couple notches? Won't that overpower the L/R and reduce the soundstage? I know I need to get a matching center but for now, I'm tight with money b/c of school and the new apartment. So any cheap solutions? Also when looking at my gallery, does anyone have any idea on how to improve sound? I have limited space to work with the front sound stage b/c of the odd shaped room. Thanks

10-20-2009, 08:15 PM	#2
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	I would say that you can bump up the Center channel a little if you need, if that helps. Also having owned the Sony SS-F5000s I can say that they are a little boomy and that may be part of the fact that you are hearing the center getting drowned out a little. Try and see if you can get a SS-CN5000 that may help. ALso remember that some movies just have a quieter dialog then other... but then I haven't experienced that in some time.... mostly because BD's are mixed better and the speakers I have now are so much better. Last edited by callas01; 10-20-2009 at 09:08 PM.

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10-20-2009, 08:16 PM	#3
VinnAY Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray reviews:1	I had the same last night with Valkyrie I could hardly make out the dialogue; yes a small adjustment on the center could help, it wont hurt to try it and revert back to your normal setting. Some films are just recorded that way it seems.

10-21-2009, 01:38 AM	#4
Dark Horse Member Member since:Mar 2009 Location:Idaho Blu-ray collection:252	Your center looks like the same one I have with my current Onkyo HTiB. It's not a very good speaker, and I always have issues with dialogue. I've ended up cranking up the center channel to be about +5db over what Audyssey says it should be at, and I finally got acceptable dialogue out of it. The dialogue's still not the greatest (it sounds muffled/muddy) but it does sound better. Since you're pairing it with better LR speakers, you might need to play around with adjusting the center channel's volume to find a level works with the towers. I know this isn't the greatest advice, but hopefully it helps a bit.

10-21-2009, 04:45 PM	#5
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	the only cost effective workaround would be to increase the center speaker signal, decrease the fronts, then isolate the speaker with mopads (best 40 bucks ive ever invested in)...

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