Audio/Video gurus

|aYg.Leone*|

Special User Title
Veteran X
Been having some issues with my surround sound system... most apparent in action movies, the background sound is ridiculously loud and most of the dialogue is barely able to be heard, so i am forced to constantly be playing with the volume while watching movies.

has anyone experienced this problem, and/or have any solutions?
 
Does your receiver have separate volume controls for each speaker? It should, and it should have a test tone or something similar that can be activated to send a signal to each speaker one by one, so that you can adjust the balance.
 
.... specs? is it an actual home theater setup or your computer? are you watching dvds, or are you watching avis?
 
also keep in mind it's home THEATER

aka wall-shaking bass levels are the norm for audible dialogue
 
We need more info. What receiver? Does it do this on all sources? What speakers do you have? Most people out of the box run their subs way too hot anyway, what gain level do you have your sub at?

Possible issues-
-Center channel is not wired right or is loose
-Receiver's volume setting to center is way too low compared to the other speakers
-center channel amplifier is shot
-center speaker is shot

Get a test/setup DVD, or run your receivers test tone, and make sure you get the same output (or reasonably close) from all 5 channels. Obviously it is better to do this for your problem if you can do it from within the receiver, because then you can take out the possibility that the screwup is coming from the signal into the receiver. If the test tone is equal across all channels, then go look at your sound levels in the receiver, you may be running your center at -10 or something goofy accidentally.

It could really be quite a few things...for instance some Klipsch speakers are 102dB/w, if you happened to have a Klipsch L and R, and a different speaker from Infiniti as your center that only gets 92dB/w, that would cause a similar problem. Come back with your equipment and more info, and run the test tone, and let us know how it sounds.
 
Some DVD players and receivers have a AVC (Auto Volume Control) function which could help you with your problem if enabled. I guess it works somewhat like a compressor, making louder sounds quieter and quiet sounds louder, thereby evening out the levels. Check to see if you have AVC and play with the settings.
 
awesome, thanks guys... purchased a test DVD today, and changed the center channel in the mean time. seems to be doing the trick thus far
 
Back
Top