Newbie- Just set up RM6700- weak center channel?

[by23856]

Hi all. I am a new home theatre enthusiast and just bought an entry level component by component home entertainment system, anchored by Polk's RM 6700 and PSW303 subwoofer. I hooked it up this past weekend and the center channel, when it comes to dialog on DVDs, sounds very weak compared to the sound effects and surround sound. During dialog sections of Tomb Raider 2 and Spiderman, I had to turn the volume up to clearly hear the people talking, and then would get blasted from my chair during the actions sequences.

I have wired the front speakers (not the center) through the sub, like Polk recommends, have the speakers set up as FL-CL-SS-no subwoofer. I have the sub set at 12 o'clock for volume and 90Hz for low pass.

I have the Pioneer VSX-D912K Receiver pushing 110 amps per channel. I have not run the MCACC yet, since the Christmas tree was directly in front of the left rear surround speaker and likely would have interefered with the calibration.

Is there a volume setting within this receiver where I can increase the volume of the center channel and have fuller, louder dialog without increasing the overall volume of the system and blasting myself out of my chair when the action starts?

Is one of the settings above wrong (I'm thinking of changing the center channel setting from large to small, but don't see how that would make a large difference- or would it? Is it more of a receiver problem, as I suspect?

BTW, I'm a complete novice, so please don't assume any basic knowledge on my part.

Thanks.

[fireshoes]

The center should be set to small and the crossover should be to 120-150hz.

DVD's have a large dynamic range (the difference between quiet and loud). It's around 30-35 decibels. If you feel like the loud scenes are too loud, you may want to use the dynamic range compression feature on your receiver or dvd player. With that you can reduce the dynamic range to about 10 db.

[mgd99]

When you get your problem figured out, tell me all about your receiver. I have the exact same model showing up in 3 days.

The folks here have held my hand thru the entire speaker choice............fountains of info here.

[by23856]

Fireshoes, thanks for the help. I can't wait to get home and make the necessary adjustments. I also just found out how to adjust the volume of each channel manually. Like I said, I am a stark novice, but learning this stuff is a lot of fun. Almost makes the actual watching of the movies anti-climatic.

MGD99, I'm not the best person to ask for reviews, but from what I have seen, heard, and learned, I would give it high grades, but I have nothing to compare it to, as this is my first step into the Home Theatre venue.

One feature that I don't think it has (at least I haven't found it yet) is the ability to change the necessary inputs on my TV when I change between components, i.e. automatically change to the composite input on my TV when I select my VCR. It would save a couple of button pushes and be very nice and convenient, especially when my technologically challenged folks and siblings visit. I think I read a review on some receiver that did that, although I can't remember which one. I'm sure several do it, though.

The big seller for this receiver, as you know, is the MCACC, which I haven't run yet. I'm sure that will solve my weak center channel by automatically setting it's volume to my listening position. The problem I have there is trying to get a quiet 10 minutes or so in my house to run it.

-Brad

[mgd99]

How is the receiverworking so far?

I received mine yesterday and did a very quick setup (just the two Monitor 10A's and audio from the TV to the receiver). The difference over the older Yamaha is amazing. I read an older post from a pseudo-expert claiming to avoid Pioneers unless they were the Elite model. He must be a price snob, because this thing is spectacular on sound. Connection documentation is another issue however.

There are a multitude of inputs in the back. I currently have my component cables going straight from the Hi-Def Cable box to the TV and the components from the DVD going straight to the TV. According to the documentation, the DVD component cables should go to the receiver (not the TV) and the documentation does not show an option for cable box to receiver. Only TV to receiver (but my TV does not have component out, only S-video and composite)

But.....I am wondering why I would want video cables going first to the receiver?? Seems like extra cables and connections for what purpose??? I have been trying to figure it out in the evening after some rather long days, so maybe I am just over tired, but right now, it is not making sense.

How did you hook yours up?

TIA

[dan t]

Congrats on the new receiver mgd.

I have an abundance of Video inputs on my Sony TA-E9000ES and use none of them. Not sure why they are there either.

Dan