Voices Sound Thin and Soft

kliegs

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to this forum and to home theater generally, so bear with me.

I have the polk rm6005 with the psw202. My receiver is a pioneer vsx-912k. I set it up according to the Polk manual, ie, running the sats to the sub and the sub to the receiver. Receiver is set to FL-CS-SS.

My problem is that voices -- in movies and music -- sound thin and soft. Ambiant sounds are perfect. I find that I often have to turn the volume up incredibly high to hear the dialogue, and then turn it down when other sounds/music comes on. I have checked the connections, adjusting the subwoofer, and tried different surround modes, all to no avail.

Anyone have any ideas?

rs159

Sorry to say this but I don't think the RM 6005's (or any sub/microsat combo) will meet your expectations. The 6005's are good little speakers, but it sounds like you want more dynamic range and more midrange, the two things little cube speakers have problems with.

I would reccomend replacing your main RM speakers with R15's or RTi28's and the center RM speaker with a CSi20 or CSi30. Because those speakers are larger they have more bass and midrange and can be played louder. Using the RM rear speakers should be ok, but if you still find this setup to be lacking then use R15's or RTi28's or FXi30's for surrounds.

Since the new RTi series is coming out soon, there are tons of discounts and sales on the current RTi's so now is the time to upgrade if you want to.

Also, what do you have the crossover for the center channel set at on your receiver? 100hz is ok, but 120hz or above is optimal for little speakers like the 6005's.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
I'm sorry things are sounding a little thin. Make sure you have the receiver's setup instructions set so the fronts are "large" the center and surrounds are set to "small". Also, make sure you have the variable low pass filter, on the sub-woofer, set to the 150 Hz position. Also, use the receiver's built-in test tones to carefully balance the five audio channels, this is very important. Let me know if you're not sure how to do that and I can send those instructions. Another consideration is to set the bass level, on the sub-woofer, to about 10:00 o'clock as a starting position. The goal is to have a smooth blending between the sub-woofer and the front speakers, anyone who is not familiar with your system should never detect a sub-woofer. It should all sound as though the small front satellites are making all of the bass information. Double check all of the speaker wire connections, positive and negative terminals of the receiver going to the corresponding positive and negative terminals of the sub-woofer and the satellites.
I hope this is helpful information.
Regards, Ken Swauger

kliegs

Thanks for your helpful suggestions. My receiver has automatic setup for the speakers.

My cross-over frequency is set to 200. Is this too high?

I turned up the low pass filter on the sub to the max. This seemed to help.

Is there a recommended setting for the "phase" switch in the sub?

I think I will get a sound meter and check the speakers with Avia.

Thank you again, and any further advice would be much appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Which crossover frequency are they referring to? Is it the high pass filter for the center and surrounds? If so, that's probably too high unless you're playing at very high levels. If not, I would go to 80 Hz.
The sub-woofer is getting a full range signal, correct?
Ken

kliegs

Ken--

I am sure glad I posted here. Who knew there was so much to learn?

According to my receiver display, this is the cross-over just for the center channel. It only provides three options: 100, 150 and 200.

I am not entirely certain what you mean when you ask whether the sub is getting a full range signal. I have it set up with the front sats in the polk-recommended manner. I thought this meant that I needed to set the receiver to "no sub" and the front speakers to "L". Accordingly, I don't have an option to set the range for the sub.

I apologize in advance if my ignorance is confusing things.

Thanks again.
Matt

dorokusai

Set your center channel to the lowest that you are able, looks like 100. Yes 200 was too high.

It also seems that the other settings are correct since you mentioned the Polk Audio way of connection.

You are not confusing anything, its the only way to learn.

Try that and let us know the new outcome.

[Deleted User]

Good, I'm glad the Forum is helpful, that's its purpose. In using the speaker level inputs, to the sub-woofer, you are providing a full range signal, so you've got it correct. You've shifted the low pass filter from the receiver to the sub-woofer, which is perfectly correct.
The 100 Hz setting of the center channel high pass filter would be the best choice.
Be sure and use the receiver's setup instructions to balance the front three channels (also surround channels). I'm also assuming you've placed the front three speakers as close, as possible, to ear level and separated the two front speakers by about the same distance you are from them?
The relative position of the front three speakers is very important to create the "front stage". Also, try and bring the center speaker as far forward, here again, as possible, to the end of whatever it is mounted on. You don't want to "pinch" the dispersion by having it too far recessed on a shelf or television set.
Ken

Frank Z

Originally posted by kliegs

I think I will get a sound meter and check the speakers with Avia.

A Radio shack SPL meter is a must have item for proper calibration. You'll be amazed at the difference in sound quality after you set all of the speaker output levels so that they are same.

kliegs

By the way, after the power went back on (NYC) I tried the suggestions posted here and the sound is much improved. Thank you very much.

Frank Z

Cool!:cool:
Glad you got things working properly!

makntrax

ok... Maybe one of you guys can help me too. I have the Polk Soundround Bar 360... I'm having the same horrible problem. I can't hear voices at all unless I turn the sound very high.. music seems to be coming in just fine.. too fine! Help! this sounded so good in the store, and a great solution to my limited space. Can anyone help

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

Try starting a NEW thread on this topic and you'll have a better chance of getting help....I'm not that familiar with soundbar systems...but many others are!

cnh