Problems with Movie Dialog-Just the normal?


Hi all,

This is my biggest pet peeve with my system and would appreciate any thoughts-

When I setup my system via spl meter, all channels matching levels, the vast majority of movies have very low dialog levels, or specific instances where I can't hear dialog clearly, in the center channel. Drives me absolutely nuts. I keep turning things up until the loud parts hit the neighbors at the end of the block come a knocking. The distance to listening position is equal across the front.

I have tried to setup a balanced system, see system link. Equal power to all channels, the center channel is the same exact driver set as front mains housed in a horizontal array.

I'm torn between "how the director wants things portrayed-THX standards" and feeling "less-than" by flat out turning up the level in the center channel. Sometimes I've tried the late night modes and almost enjoyed these more.

I don't think the center speaker is "broken" in any way, all drivers make noise...:)

Any ideas?

Thanks
Marty
marty9876
It may be a setting in your processor is screwed up, though I don't know what your system has in it. I used to have an NAD receiver/dvd player setup that was HT-capable but would occasionally get "confused" about whether it was supposed to be doing stereo or 5-channel sound from the dvd player. If it was set wrong, I got the exact symptoms you are describing- difficulty understanding voices, occasionally having them almost disappear altogether. It wasn't easy to find the menu page that dealt with the problem either. But look into it; this may be the problem.
Yeah I also think it is not your speakers. It is in the DVD player, or where ever your audio is being decoded. My Technics DVD player has adjustments in the complex menu system, that enhance or lessen the center channel. I can boost the dialog by a factor up to doubling it, or halving it... Even if I am not using a real center channel!!
I would look in the menu of the DVD player if that is doing the decoding, ot the processor doing it.