Rear speakers Sound different compared to front?

baboon
baboon Posts: 60
edited February 2005 in Troubleshooting
I noticed in a lot of DVDs i play, my rear speakers sound like they're synthesized or something. it just doesnt sound real as the front and center speakers when i put my ear close one of the rear speakers. but when i stand a few foot away I wont notice the difference. Is it suppose to be like that or is something messed up?
Post edited by baboon on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited February 2005
    Help us understand by giving a little more info.
    1) What speakers are you using?
    2) What kind of electronics are you using?
    3) Have you calibrated your system with an SPL Meter?
    4) Describe the room that your gear is in.
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by Frank Z
    Help us understand by giving a little more info.
    1) What speakers are you using?
    2) What kind of electronics are you using?
    3) Have you calibrated your system with an SPL Meter?
    4) Describe the room that your gear is in.

    Also, what kind of music/movies do you notice the synthesized sound?
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • baboon
    baboon Posts: 60
    edited February 2005
    Speakers
    -Polk Monitor 60
    -Polk CS2
    -Polk Monitor 40 (rear speakers)
    -Polk PSW 404 sub

    Cables:
    -RCA 16AWG

    Reciever:
    Kenwood vr-705 or 706?? 5.1 dts/dolby/etc

    DVDs:
    All that have 5.1

    room is in living room. yeah i did the speaker distance thing on the reciever.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited February 2005
    yeah i did the speaker distance thing on the reciever.
    That's not the same as Calibration using a Sound Pressure Level Meter. As you can tell there are quite a few threads on the subject. In a nutshell, proper calibration utilizes an SPL Meter to set the output for all of the speakers in your system to the same level (db). It makes a big difference to the performance level of your system.
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • baboon
    baboon Posts: 60
    edited February 2005
    do all recievers have that? i'm not at homeright now so i cant really see if mine does.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited February 2005
    Not all, only the ones that cost more than a standard DVD.;)

    Not sure if this the right manual for your receiver...

    Kenwood VR705

    Take a look at page 26, figure #3. This discribes the basic method of adjusting the output levels for each speaker. Yes you can do it with just your ears, but you'd be amazed at how inaccurate that is.

    Setting the distance is also important, but all it does is tell the receiver how much of a delay is needed so that the sound from each speaker arrives at your listening position at the same time.


    Too many times people buy a receiver and some speakers and don't take the time to set them up properly and fail to get the most bang for their A/V buck. Invest in the meter, you'll find yourself using it quite a bit actually. Be carefull though, you end up wanting to upgrade before you know it.
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • baboon
    baboon Posts: 60
    edited February 2005
    hey i want to thank you guys a lot for all the help. obviously i'm not an advance HT guy but I'm learning. I'm a junior college english teacher, not a polk engineer =)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited February 2005
    No shweat, no Swat, no sweit.. I didn't do to good in engrish....



    :D
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gmorris
    gmorris Posts: 1,179
    edited February 2005
    Well, assuming that you get the distances set correctly, and get the individual levels set equally, but STILL hear the synthesized sound quality, odds are that is how it is supposed to sound.

    Most of the time, surround channels are for background sound and/or ambiance. There is very little real sounds back there.
    Bob Mayo, on the keyboards. Bob Mayo.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter