Tuning my HT - no high frequencies? - tuning help needed

[ViperZ]

Hi all,

I just moved, and installed my HT in the new condo. Basically, I have whatever is in my signature:
* Sony STR-DA333ES receiver.
* Samsung DVD-HD941 is the source. Belkin optical cable and AR 6-channel analog interconnects.
* RT1000p - mains.
* CS245 - center (I'll bring CS400 from Houston to Toronto only in July).
* R15 in the back.
* NHT SubTwo sub.
* 12 AWG speaker cables with banana plugs.

Problem: I really do not hear the highs that I'd expect to hear. I tried multiple discs - Deep Purple DVD-Audio, Queen 5.1 DTS DVD, various audio CDs in stereo, etc.

[EDIT]By high frequencies I mean something like cimballs or highs when the drummer is playing on the plates. [/edit]

This receiver does have an equalizer option, where I increased power to high frequencies in mains and in center, but it didn't help much.

- I cannot modify the room, so I am stuck with whatever acoustics.
- No funds right now to add separate amp (I just bought my new place!), but I'd think 80 Watts per channel out of Sony ES receiver should be enough to drive these speakers.

Are there any "easy fixes" that I am missing? I did buy HT setup DVD with sound meter, but didn't get a chance to properly setup anything (until next month).

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello,
Thanks for posting on the Forum. Was everything sounding correct before you moved? Is this a new problem that showed up after the move? Are there high frequencies being produced, but you wish they were more pronounced? Or, the tweeters on the front three speakers don't seem to be producing any sound at all?
If you can provide some additional details I'll try and offer an opinion.
Regards, Ken

[ViperZ]

Hi Ken,

It was the same before the move (room acoustics changed, so it probably got a bit worse because of that). High frequencies are just not pronounced the way I'd like them to show up. All 3 tweeters (mains and center) work great.

I just can barely hear cymbals and other high frequencies when playing concerts, and I heard the same tracks in other setups with much better results.

I only had one chance to try other speakers in my setup - Infinity reference series towers. The highs were more pronounced, but still not where I'd want them to be.

I am looking for an advice on how to tune something in the receiver to get it working. And I am also not sure what is causing the problem - type of tweeters?, not enough power going to speakers from receiver?, receiver filtering?, problem between the source and receiver?

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello,
Thanks for the additional information. In all likelihood the receiver will have some way of adjusting the tonal balance. It might be in the form of an EQ or it could be simple bass and treble tone controls. As you increase the treble adjustment the upper frequencies will be played louder. Keep in mind that at higher playing volumes the increased treble setting will mean your receiver will run out of power sooner than a flat frequency response. If you begin hearing any harshness or brittle quality to the sound, reduce the playing volume to prevent your speakers from being damaged from excessive high frequency distortion.
Regards, Ken