Low voice, high sound effects watching DVD movies

I'm at work so I don't have my specific model #'s, but I have a
general question for now: most DVD's I watch, especially The Matrix
movies and lately the Kill Bills, the voices are kind of low. I
increased the center speaker volume and kept the fronts and rears to a
minimum. But I still have to raise the volume loud to hear the voices
clearly, and then when there's an action sequence it seems its going
to bring the ceiling down. I live in a condo complex so thats not
really acceptable.

I've read different posts and have spoken to different people and it
seems this is not an uncommon problem. Does anyone have any
suggestions when it comes to some kind of audio balance, so the voices
are higher yet the explosions and effects are not tremendous ?

I have an Onkyo receiver and Polk speakers. I can get model #'s if
necessary.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Paul

Paul:

Did your Polk speakers all come as a package? If not, do you have a different
model Polk that you are using as the center speaker? I am curious as to whether
these speakers all have the same efficiency rating....

Chris

Paul wrote:

I'm at work so I don't have my specific model #'s, but I have a
general question for now: most DVD's I watch, especially The Matrix
movies and lately the Kill Bills, the voices are kind of low. I
increased the center speaker volume and kept the fronts and rears to a
minimum. But I still have to raise the volume loud to hear the voices
clearly, and then when there's an action sequence it seems its going
to bring the ceiling down. I live in a condo complex so thats not
really acceptable.

I've read different posts and have spoken to different people and it
seems this is not an uncommon problem. Does anyone have any
suggestions when it comes to some kind of audio balance, so the voices
are higher yet the explosions and effects are not tremendous ?

I have an Onkyo receiver and Polk speakers. I can get model #'s if
necessary.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Paul

I have the same problem too. Panasonic receiver, Energy take 5.2 speakers
and a Toshiba DVD Player.

"Chris Munson" wrote in message
...
Paul:

Did your Polk speakers all come as a package? If not, do you have a
different
model Polk that you are using as the center speaker? I am curious as to
whether
these speakers all have the same efficiency rating....

Chris

Paul wrote:

I'm at work so I don't have my specific model #'s, but I have a
general question for now: most DVD's I watch, especially The Matrix
movies and lately the Kill Bills, the voices are kind of low. I
increased the center speaker volume and kept the fronts and rears to a
minimum. But I still have to raise the volume loud to hear the voices
clearly, and then when there's an action sequence it seems its going
to bring the ceiling down. I live in a condo complex so thats not
really acceptable.

I've read different posts and have spoken to different people and it
seems this is not an uncommon problem. Does anyone have any
suggestions when it comes to some kind of audio balance, so the voices
are higher yet the explosions and effects are not tremendous ?

I have an Onkyo receiver and Polk speakers. I can get model #'s if
necessary.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Paul

"Paul" wrote in message
om...

...Does anyone have any suggestions when it comes to some kind of audio
balance, so the voices
are higher yet the explosions and effects are not tremendous ?

I have an Onkyo receiver and Polk speakers. I can get model #'s if
necessary.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Paul

Hi Paul, first of all you must make sure that your speakers + sub are all at
the same volume level. The best way is to get an inexpensive analog sound
meter from an electronics store, but if you don't have one you can also do
it by hear.

Your amp comes with built in test tones for speakers + sub, set the volume
level at about 1/3 to 1/2 and run the test tones. Then use the amp's speaker
levels settings to make sure all speakers are roughly at the same sound
level.The sub is harder to balance by hear but play some music with a deep
beat and bass lines and make sure the sub is not overwhelming the sound (no
chuffing or whoofing sounds).

After this play a DVD you've had problems with and try the sound. If you're
still unhappy with the sound levels, your amp does come with a dynamic range
compression option which makes the dialogue louder and special effects
etc... softer, it's usually used when listening at low volumes at night so
switching that on will help.

--
Italo

On 8/16/04 11:28, in article , "jml"
wrote:

I have the same problem too. Panasonic receiver, Energy take 5.2 speakers
and a Toshiba DVD Player.

Have any of you dip****s bothered to read the ****ing manual? How 'bout
investing 50 bucks in a meter and running the built-in setup routines?

Duh.

OUCH!!! Honestly,would any one with a panasonic receiver care enough
about HT performance to invest in a sound meter.Thier not dip****s but
rather dimwits. I had a panasonic once but ive grown up










"Bob Morein" wrote in message
...
On 8/16/04 11:28, in article , "jml"
wrote:

I have the same problem too. Panasonic receiver, Energy take 5.2
speakers
and a Toshiba DVD Player.

Have any of you dip****s bothered to read the ****ing manual? How 'bout
investing 50 bucks in a meter and running the built-in setup routines?

Duh.

On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 07:17:42 +1000, Bob Morein
wrote:

On 8/16/04 11:28, in article , "jml"
wrote:

I have the same problem too. Panasonic receiver, Energy take 5.2 speakers
and a Toshiba DVD Player.

Have any of you dip****s bothered to read the ****ing manual? How 'bout
investing 50 bucks in a meter and running the built-in setup routines?

Duh.

welcome to usenet where all the cowardly pieces of **** suddenly grow
brass balls...nice reply dip****...

Spiff

Top-posting Moron Asswipe barry morton wrote:

OUCH!!! Honestly,would any one with a panasonic receiver
care enough about HT performance to invest in a sound
meter.Thier not dip****s but rather dimwits. I had a panasonic
once but ive grown up

Every time I start to think I *might* be coming down a little
too hard on the "Heat Seekers", along comes a scumbag like
you that tells me that I need to keep up the good work.



--
Saluting America's #1 (animated) "MILF" - Lois Griffin!
--------------------------------------------------------
Tom Pendergast e-mail is for sissies, say it on line

On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 20:47:58 -0400, Bill wrote:


welcome to usenet where all the cowardly pieces of **** suddenly grow
brass balls...nice reply dip****...

While harsh and unnecessarily rude, his comment is likely correct.

Most issues with center channel volume are related to speaker balance
levels and/or receiver setup. If the center speaker is not of the same
model line, the tonal match will likely be off a fair bit and make it
even harder to get a good balance.

For what it's worth, my speaker system is matched and balanced with a
meter, and I have NEVER had an problem with center channel voices. They
are always loud and clear as they should be. I don't think brands of
receivers have a lot to do with it either.

I recommend to Paul to start at the beginning, read the manual on how to
configure the DVD player and receiver, double-check the speaker wire
connections for correct polarity (+/-), and then run the test tones to
ensure all 5+ channels of sound are evenly balanced and at the same
volume levels. From there it should sound pretty good and a little fine
tuning will make it perfect.

Well said...apparently it was too tough for him to say that...instead
he wasted everybody's time posting his drivel..
in case the orig poster doesnt/didnt thank you ...

Spiff

(Paul) wrote in message . com...
I'm at work so I don't have my specific model #'s, but I have a
general question for now: most DVD's I watch, especially The Matrix
movies and lately the Kill Bills, the voices are kind of low. I
increased the center speaker volume and kept the fronts and rears to a
minimum. But I still have to raise the volume loud to hear the voices
clearly, and then when there's an action sequence it seems its going
to bring the ceiling down. I live in a condo complex so thats not
really acceptable.

I've read different posts and have spoken to different people and it
seems this is not an uncommon problem. Does anyone have any
suggestions when it comes to some kind of audio balance, so the voices
are higher yet the explosions and effects are not tremendous ?

I have an Onkyo receiver and Polk speakers. I can get model #'s if
necessary.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Paul, I think the solution for your problem is a compressor. If you're
not familiar with compressors, they're used by professionals in sound
systems and recording studios. Their purpose is to limit the dynamic
range of the audio signal; that is, the quiet parts of the movie will
be louder and the loud parts will be quieter. Go to
www.partsexpress.com/ or www.pssl.com and search for "compressors". I
know price is a concern and they start around $100. You will need
4-1/4" to RCA cables since post pro-sound gear uses 1/4" and XLR
connectors. I hope this helps.

Greg

Paul