Something wrong with my center?

squish102

Hi, I have moved and set up my HT again and now have a problem that if I watch a DVD movie, I can hardly hear the voices. They are really low. The center seems to hardly put out anything, and the fronts/rears overpower it so much.

Equipment:

Fronts - Polk RTi 10's
Center = Polk CSi 40
Rears = some 8" monoprice speakers in ceiling
Sub = SVS cylinder sub with 300+ amp (cant remember the model)
Onkyo 601 Receiver

Room 14" x 14"
Seated 12" from TV

So here are my questions:

1. Could it be my receiver that does not do the center very well? I have never been happy with the voices even before the move.

2. Could something have happened to my center speaker?

3. Could I have wired it up incorrectly to cause it?

4. I had to lift the center to about 6 foot off the ground above the TV. It sort of aims over our heads. Could this cause it.

5. Is the CSi 40 the completely wrong center for this setup? If yes, what would be a better fit?

6. Could the center speaker be broken? I can see the two mid's vibrate when they playing.

7. Could it be my DVD player that is a problem?

I have set Onkyo to +4db on center to try make it sound better

Any help or pointer would be appreciated.

Fronts - Polk RTi 10's
Center = Polk CSi 40
Rears = some 8" monoprice speakers in ceiling
Sub = SVS cylinder sub with 300+ amp (cant remember the model)
Onkyo 601 Receiver

kevhed72

Alot of material on TV is not exactly recorded with HT in mind, so that is always an issue. Check your AVRs manual - there may be a 'dialog' setting that you can turn on the help with the issue. Also, make sure the center is aimed directly at your head in the seating position. Having the center mounted this high may be an issue....try placing it directly under the TV for kicks...also, this issue with the center channel may be a reason (or excuse) to upgrade some equipment, if you know what I mean;)

squish102

Thanks for the tips, I will try them out as soon as the wife gives up the TV and let you know the results.

rooftop59

Is the distance set up right in the avr? Also, you do want it aimed at the listening position so that should help. Other than that make sure that the settings are right on the dvd player as well and that the cable is hooked up correctly. If none of this solves the problem then there is a chance that your cs140 was damaged during the move...Hope you get in figured out; that is a great center channel and should match your mains nicely.

Peace,
Paul

squish102

Well that was wierd. after taking some advice from above, my first step was to talk an old AR rear speaker and plug it into the center. It worked well, it was not muted anymore!

I brought the polk speaker down off the shelf, tried it and wow it sounded good. Put it back on the self and it sounded fine.

How could that be possible? Could the receiver got confused about the speaker? I didn't touch or set anything.

The last time I played the HT, it was very loud as I was demo'ing it to someone. Could that have caused the problem?

Thanks for all the advice above. I am a little sad that I have no reason to upgrade again

rooftop59

Glad to hear you got it figured out! That is always a relief. Most likely one of the wires was loose, but who knows. Obviously its not blown, and you didn't change any settings on the receiver, so I think that a loose wire pretty much has to be the cause.

Don't worry, I am sure that you can find another reason to upgrade!
Peace,
Paul