WAF issues

CALoff

Currently I'm running Rti38s for fronts, Fxi3s in the rear, CsiA4, and a low end Velodyne sub. When watching movies, the dialogue is the right volume but when the sound effects kick in (explosions, gunfire, etc.), my wife complains that it gives her a headache.

I've tried to change the level settings but from what I can tell, the center channel is the issue since it carries so much of the movie. The reciever is an Onkyo 7.1 that is about 5 years old.

Are there any settings on the amp that can keep the dialogue at a normal volume but keep the sound effects from the high peak levels (only for the WAF...I don't think there's anything wrong with the sound but I am a bit hard of hearing).

Would changing to Rti6s mains "mellow" the sound?

Thanks,

Steve

Face

See if your receiver has a night time mode, it lessens the dynamics.

Kex

CALoff wrote: »

... and a low end Velodyne sub. When watching movies, ... when the sound effects kick in (explosions, gunfire, etc.), my wife complains that it gives her a headache. ...

Would changing to Rti6s mains "mellow" the sound? ...

Steve, I don't think changing the speakers has anything to do with it. Since you mention that the problem occurs with effects, such as explosions, I would strongly suggest that the issue is your sub. You may be running it too hot. Have you tried to calibrate the whole system with an SPL meter, including the subwoofer? Auto-calibration systems frequently have the most trouble with the subwoofer (at least mine do!). A subwoofer level that is too high will annoy a lot of people, especially those that aren't all that keen on boomy Low Frequency Effects. In my, albeit limited, experience, this problem is accentuated by less capable subwoofers that are not as "tight" as their more accomplished alternatives.

Your receiver probably has level adjustements for each channel, including the subwoofer output. There will also be a gain control on the subwoofer itself, which generally should be at less than half way between the minimum and maximum settings (typically around 10 o' Clock, or thereabouts). If your subwoofer is already adjusted to reasonable levels, then check that the output level for that channel on the receiver is not set at a significantly higher level than the other channels. The best way to get a balanced calibration for the whole system remains the use of an SPL meter IMO, and this should not be disrupted by whatever hearing limitations you may have.

reeltrouble1

get her some ear plugs and mention that some of her shoes are so brightly colored they hurt your eyes, ask her if she would mind dulling the finish on those ones with some black shoe polish.

of course be sure to have comfortable alternate sleeping plans as it might be a bit chilly for a time in your normal spot.

always glad to help.

RT1

CALoff

Kex wrote: »

Steve, I don't think changing the speakers has anything to do with it. Since you mention that the problem occurs with effects, such as explosions, I would strongly suggest that the issue is your sub. You may be running it too hot. Have you tried to calibrate the whole system with an SPL meter, including the subwoofer? Auto-calibration systems frequently have the most trouble with the subwoofer (at least mine do!). A subwoofer level that is too high will annoy a lot of people, especially those that aren't all that keen on boomy Low Frequency Effects. In my, albeit limited, experience, this problem is accentuated by less capable subwoofers that are not as "tight" as their more accomplished alternatives.

Your receiver probably has level adjustements for each channel, including the subwoofer output. There will also be a gain control on the subwoofer itself, which generally should be at less than half way between the minimum and maximum settings (typically around 10 o' Clock, or thereabouts). If your subwoofer is already adjusted to reasonable levels, then check that the output level for that channel on the receiver is not set at a significantly higher level than the other channels. The best way to get a balanced calibration for the whole system remains the use of an SPL meter IMO, and this should not be disrupted by whatever hearing limitations you may have.

My hearing problem is with low frequencies since I have perforated eardrums. The sub is a Velodyne CHT-12 which is self powered. I can't really hear the bass so much as feel it. I imagine I've got the bass way too high. I "calibrated" the sub by having my wife play her music and then adjusting the gain on the sub until she said it sounded good. Not the best way, I know.

I've adjusted each channel individually but it didn't seem to make any difference. I'm running all channels at the "0" decibel level. I tried running the center at "+2" decibels. Would running the center at a higher level make the dialogue stand out better from the sound effects or is a large portion of the sound effects coming out of the center?

Thanks for all the ideas. I tried the "shoe idea". All I can say is if you try that advice, be prepared to DUCK! j/k!

quadzilla

Most people like the bass too high. I know I did for a long time, until I got my latest receiver, did a calibration to get the levels really close, then listened for several days. Eventually, I started to notice a lot of detail in the bass that I'd always missed before when I had too much bass in the system. If your receiver has a calibration program, I'd recommend letting it go through an an auto-calibration and see if that makes any difference.

reeltrouble1; you owe me a keyboard. This one is covered in Mt. Dew now.