Is my CSi3 bad?

justwondering

Just got my CSi3 and RTi8s hooked up last night.

I'm using my reliable Onkyo 502 so I can hear them (I don't have a different receiver as of yet). Put Transformers in to test

My present system is the 502 with the Polk RM7200 sat/sub system.

I have reset the fronts speakers to 'large' and adjusted the subwoofer to 80mhz (on the 502).
First off, I really like the RTi8s, but I can't hear the center speaker.

So I have to adjust the levels of the fronts and center. With the 7200's, the fronts where all set to 0db, and the balance was great.

I've adjusted the fronts to -3db and the center to +3db. This gets them pretty close. I can now at least hear the dialog.

But, the SQ out of the center is not anything close to what is coming from the fronts. I've listened to them on both PLIIx music & movie, and Dolby Digital, and the SQ is really weak from the CSi3. I've tried changing the center 'large' & 'small', without much of a change


The center came from Crutchfield scratch/dent and looks perfect...I can't find any defects in appearance whatsoever, FWIW.

I'll be honest, I was really expecting the new speakers to blow me away compared to the 7200 system; it really didn't. I haven't tested in with music yet. Im's sure the 8's will really shine on that.

I know I have the lows and highs boosted on the 502. If I remember right, it only does the L & R, only in stereo mode. I think I'll readjust and test again, but the levels needing adjusting is very concerning to me

Maybe the center from the 7200 is stronger than the other sats, as to why I never had a problem with them. Now, with the 8s, I have the opposite.

Any thoughts?

J_Kennedy

I'd try hooking it up as the left or right front and see if it sounds right. Just a test to see if it's the receiver or the speaker. Maybe hook the RTi8 as a center to see if SQ is still below par.

justwondering

Thanks J, I will try that. Maybe the levels are from the efficiency difference...8's=90db, CSi3=89db?

Now to hijack my own thread.....how do you like your 805? I assume you've seen the huge thread on it at AVS forum.

Any problems with yours?

Thanks

J_Kennedy

I love it, no problems at all. Except that it's heavy as hell so I don't much like pulling it out of the shelf on my knees while I connect/reconnect anything. LOL

I've posted a couple of issues not directly related, that have turned out to be TV content related as I still have basic cable that the digital and HD content has been uncovered by my clear quam digi tuner in the TV. Obviously parked channels aren't broadcast for good viewing.

The only thing I'd like to see improved is time between audio format changes. Like between menu and movie content on DVD's or between TV shows and commercials sine some commercials are in DD and some stereo etc. It takes a second or 2 to switch, but it does switch automatically. I'm sure I could tweak the default in set up and it might make a difference, but I'm still learning it and I'll wait until we get fiber installed and have real HD TV content.

justwondering

I bought one from shoponkyo during their President's Day special.

It came yesterday and I haven't taken it out of the box. I am seriously considering returning it unopened.

Granted it is a refurb (which doesn't bother me), but I got it at a GREAT price. Actually, I would think that some of the earlier problems may have been fixed with a refurb.

So I pushed myself into buying because of the special. Then I started to read of the problems some folks were having. Cnet reviews have just about done it for me. Out of 75 reviews (to be fair, 55 gave it 5 stars) about 10% (7 I think) had the units go poof and smoke role out of it.

I know this appears to be a GREAT sounding unit. It seems to be about unanimous that the features of it are unparalleled at this price point. THX!!!

Reliability, possible lip-sinc issues, high heat generation, have got me worried.

Looking at the new Yamaha unit v663(?), which has pre outs for less than $500? if the new units from all makers are similar to this, maybe I should wait a little.

I don't make large purchases like this very often.....I need a long shelf life!!!

xandra

I'm in a similar quandry, but haven't purchased yet, (holding off till March when a fimware upgrade is anticipated), but unlike you wasn't lucky enuf to find a deal, think I'd stay with it If I were you.

PS: if the Yammie is anything like my Yammie DVD player, it'll be the antithesis of the Onkyo: My dvd player (a much simpler contraption) has a truly dreadful interface and awful support.

xandra

but the levels needing adjusting is very concerning to me

There's NO reason for concern - that's what the level readjust is for. Yes, it's possible the CSi3's are quieter than your last set of speakers, but volume output doesn't translate to quality of sound.

Level adjustment would be the first change to make. Next: check the crossover setting: 80's a good start point.

And of course make sure your content and mode are set to something which uses the center channel.

Good thing you bought from Crutchfield, you'll get no runaround at all should you need to return the speaker.

justwondering

xandra wrote: »

There's NO reason for concern - that's what the level readjust is for. Yes, it's possible the CSi3's are quieter than your last set of speakers, but volume output doesn't translate to quality of sound.

Level adjustment would be the first change to make. Next: check the crossover setting: 80's a good start point.

And of course make sure your content and mode are set to something which uses the center channel.

Good thing you bought from Crutchfield, you'll get no runaround at all should you need to return the speaker.

The level adjustment kinda surprised me, as I thought the speakers were more 'matched' than they appear to be.

My bigger concern now is the SQ. I haven't had a chance to play with it anymore at this point.

With all the positive posts and reviews with the CSi3, I thought there must be something wrong with this unit....I'll keep playing with it and give Crutchfield CS a try.

xandra,

This really bites because I REALLY want to like the 805. Maybe all the problems are from the same 3 guys....:rolleyes:

MADGSF

Just curious, are you checking the levels with a SPL meter? If not that would be a better way of seeing how close they really are.

Having said that I run my center a few dBs higher than the fronts so I can hear dialog better because I have a hearing loss in the human voice frequency range.

justwondering

No sir, just the OFW (old fashioned way) by just listening.

It was very evident before I did the level adjustment. There wasn't much dialog coming from the center compared to the fronts. I tested using a scene with a lot action sounds. As I said, the 8's sounded great. No dialog until the level adj and even now, the SQ isn't what I'm happy with.

I think I will do as J said, to place the 3 on one of the fronts and compare it to the 8 on the other side.

All the onkyo 502 has ever pushed was the 7200 sats.

J_Kennedy

It may not be a fair comparison but with my 805, RTi8's and CSi A6 center, I have the level for the center about 3 db less than the fronts. It would be easy to let it over power the fronts. It's on the floor until I get a riser built and get it up under the TV also.

justwondering

I had a chance to work with it a little. I swapped the 3 with one of the fronts and think there isn't anything wrong with the CSi3.

After setting the tones flat, the center and fronts now blend much better. The levels are closer together at 0 for center and -3 for the fronts.

Thanks for the tips.
Steve

cfrizz

Invest in a Radioshack SPL meter. It's money well spent & will make a big difference in the cohesion of the sound.