Speaker setup

tyatnu82
tyatnu82 Posts: 14
edited October 2011 in Speakers
I have the Pioneer Elite SC-37 with the following speakers Front - Monitor 70s, Center - CSI2, Rear - Monitor 40s, Sub - PSW505.
I have run the MCACC, I set my fronts to large and the center and rears to small, with the sub set to PLUS, and a crossover of 80hz.
The setup sounds great for TV/movies, but when i listen to music, whether i set it to PLII music or stereo the vocals and highs sound almost muffled. Is it something with the SC-37 MCACC configuration that i need to adjust, or is it basically just the best i am going to get out of the monitors? I am going to be upgrading to the RTI-A series speakers in the near future, but until then i want to get the most out of my current system...
Does anyone have any suggestions
Post edited by tyatnu82 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited October 2011
    When you ran MCACC, was there a default PEQ profile that was used?

    Many AVRs have different sound profile options when running auto-calibration - some called "Flat", "Front", etc that have different tonal qualities.

    Try going into MCACC and turn "off" any auto-calibrate PEQ setting - see if that brightens up the sound any.

    You may also try running MCACC with different PEQ settings and saving each one, then comparing what PEQ profile you like best.

    If the Pio is like other AVRs, you can also turn off PEQ and go into Graphic EQ and tweak different frequency bands yourself to your liking.

    Just save your current configuration as a 'baseline' in case you drive off into the weeds with all the settings - so that you can come back to a safe starting point. But don't be afraid to explore your AVR's options.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited October 2011
    Bypass all of that EQ and run it in Direct mode (or whatever Pio calls it) for music listening.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eazyz
    eazyz Posts: 6
    edited October 2011
    I currently have 2 VM30's and I am looking to build on to my setup. My thought is to add a VM20 for the Center Channel and then adding 2 more VM30's for the surround channels. I am undecided about a Subwoofer just yet, I have been looking into the Velodyne Optimum series, but I may consider a Polk Subwoofer if anyone wants to offer recommendations.

    I would like feedback from some members who have tried or considered putting 2 VM30's as surround speakers in their setup opposed to going with the 20's. Is it overkill?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited October 2011
    tyatnu82 wrote: »
    I have the Pioneer Elite SC-37 with the following speakers Front - Monitor 70s, Center - CSI2, Rear - Monitor 40s, Sub - PSW505.
    I have run the MCACC, I set my fronts to large and the center and rears to small, with the sub set to PLUS, and a crossover of 80hz.
    The setup sounds great for TV/movies, but when i listen to music, whether i set it to PLII music or stereo the vocals and highs sound almost muffled. Is it something with the SC-37 MCACC configuration that i need to adjust, or is it basically just the best i am going to get out of the monitors?
    Does anyone have any suggestions

    A couple things.

    Toe your speakers into the listening area.

    Run MCACC once again. Make sure your mic is placed properly in the listening area with no kids, wife, dog, ect making any noise. Turn of the HVAC unit.

    Then listen.

    Take your sub woofer off the PLUS setting because this will muddy your bass response oftentimes.

    The Pioneer Elite SC's have a DIRECT and PURE DIRECT mode. Try the DIRECT mode after running all these steps. This should give you a good response for music and HT.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tyatnu82
    tyatnu82 Posts: 14
    edited October 2011
    SRTer wrote: »
    A couple things.

    Toe your speakers into the listening area.

    Run MCACC once again. Make sure your mic is placed properly in the listening area with no kids, wife, dog, ect making any noise. Turn of the HVAC unit.

    Then listen.

    Take your sub woofer off the PLUS setting because this will muddy your bass response oftentimes.

    The Pioneer Elite SC's have a DIRECT and PURE DIRECT mode. Try the DIRECT mode after running all these steps. This should give you a good response for music and HT.

    SRTer,
    What setting should i set my speakers to? All large? All small? Large fronts and rest small??
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SRTer
    SRTer Posts: 372
    edited October 2011
    It depends on what sounds best for you. It is often recommended to use a THX setup.
    All speakers set to (SMALL)
    80Hz crossover selected

    Some people also run the following with your setup.

    Front Monitor 70's: (LARGE) no crossover
    Center and Rears: (SMALL) with 80Hz crossover

    I would recommend the last setup withthe Pioneer Elite SC.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A9
    Center: Polk CSI A6
    Rears: Polk RTi A7
    Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-35 (140 watts x 7)
    Amplifier: Adcom GFA-555 Mk.II (200 watt @ 8 ohms)
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO 500 (10 inch, 200 Watt)
    TV: Samsung 59 inch 3D Plasma 600 Hz PN59D7000
    Sources: Samsung BD-D6700 3D Blu-ray Player, DirecTV, PS3, iPhone 4 and IPod Classic with Apple Lossless Tracks
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter