the problem

Posted by Joe Murphy Jr (A) on October 1, 2002 at 16:14:34

In Reply to: What is the problem with this 5.1 system? posted by Audio Girl on October 1, 2002 at 13:18:50:

#1 Here's the problem with the room:

>>>The room has hardwood floors, no rugs or carpeting, stone fireplace, windows along one side of the room (no curtains or blinds), 10' ceilings, open area to kitchen, breakfast nook, hallway.<<<

Except for the 10' ceilings (that's a plus), it's too reflective. From the description of the room, you have sound bouncing all over the place. There are some non-audiophile geek things you can do to help with this situation: get a big throw rug for the floor, put up some curtains that match the room's decor, etc.

#2 Is the system calibrated? Did you set each speaker's level with an SPL meter or by ear? If you didn't use a meter, try this to improve the clarity and consistency in the sound.

#3 There are many DVD soundtracks that are notorious for poor dialogue reproduction. I don't know if it's the transfer of older (5 or more years back) soundtracks to the Dolby Digital or DTS digital codecs or just bad engineering of the center channel information. And, of course, it could be both. This has been observed from a properly calibrated hi-end system, so it's not due to poor electronics/speakers. In this case, if you're still having problems with center channel dialogue, after you calibrate the speaker levels as closely as possible with a meter, boost the center channel level by 1 or 2dB. This should be done as a last resort, but you may have no choice.

#4 Since you said "some" DVD movies, I believe believe you are experiencing the problems that I addressed in #3. If your system or speakers were the problem, it should affect more than "some".

The above suggestions and opinions are just that -- MY suggestions and MY opinions. I hope that you can get the performance out of your HT that you desire.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - What is the problem with this 5.1 system? - Audio Girl 13:18:50 10/01/02 (21)

Where is the center channel speaker located ? - oldvinyl 15:08:14 10/08/02 (0)

Audio Girl how about an update? - bstan 14:00:52 10/04/02 (2)

Update - Audio Girl 16:00:52 10/04/02 (1)

Re: Update - bstan 14:34:46 10/05/02 (0)

POS cables -- specialty type hi-end cables like HMS? - Joe Murphy Jr 17:17:11 10/03/02 (0)

Re: What is the problem with this 5.1 system? - the solution? 19:56:03 10/02/02 (4)

This may cause A/V synchronization issues. - Joe Murphy Jr 20:48:58 10/02/02 (3)

Re: I beg to differ - bstan 08:28:15 10/03/02 (2)

I think you missed my point. - Joe Murphy Jr 17:09:20 10/03/02 (1)

I understood your point - bstan 13:59:05 10/04/02 (1)

the problem - Joe Murphy Jr 16:14:34 10/01/02 (1)

Re: the problem - bhjazz 21:40:27 10/02/02 (0)

Re: What is the problem with this 5.1 system? - Estes 15:03:29 10/01/02 (4)

I also agree... - Lowrider 08:26:39 10/02/02 (0)

Two different systems... - Audio Girl 16:14:39 10/01/02 (1)

yes (nt) - njjohn 20:52:59 10/01/02 (0)

i agree - njjohn 16:10:23 10/01/02 (0)

Agree, can be very source dependent - cfraser 14:55:57 10/01/02 (2)

I listen to Death Metal (growling and barking vocals) .... - Aroc 20:11:08 10/01/02 (1)

*I* don't have a problem - cfraser 21:34:57 10/01/02 (0)

Re: What is the problem with this 5.1 system? - oldschool 13:46:26 10/01/02 (0)

Follow Ups

the problem - Joe Murphy Jr 16:14:34 10/01/02 (1)

Re: the problem - bhjazz 21:40:27 10/02/02 (0)

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