What is missing in my step up?

hitz

Hello everybody,

I am new to this community and to the Polk Audio world. I would greatly appreciate if I can get your expert opinion and/or suggestion.

Little History:
I used to have a crappy 5.1 channel speakers sourcing from Sony STR DE598 (6.1 channel receiver; 90watt/channel). Issue: while watching DVD’s & BluRay, I constantly had to increase volume to hear vocal and decrease volume during action scene.
A year ago, I replaced the stock center channel with Polk Audio CSM center speaker. Things got better but not a whole lot… I was still juggling with volume to decrease during action scene.

Present:
I have Monitor 70 for front, CSM for center, Monitor 40 for surround and Subwoofer PSW 110 (little brother of PSW125). Things got considerably better. However, I am still fighting the eternal battle of volume control when watching movies…. I still have to crank up the volume to hear the vocal and decrease the volume when any action kicks off.

Speakers are hooked up with 16AWG wire using banana plugs and my setup is configured for 5.1 surround. My use is 50% movies and 50% Music.

What is missing in my step up? Center speaker, Receiver, both, or nothing?

While playing music, system sounds awesome and receiver is producing enough juice as there seems to be no issue with CSM (center speaker) and everything blends in perfect.

The issue is when vocals kick in while watching movies, show, games, etc.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Hitesh

CSM specs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290125

Sony STR DE 598 specs:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DE598-Channel-Surround-Receiver/dp/B0007Y6AN0

Conradicles

Welcome to Club Polk Hitesh!
By no means am I an expert, but I had a Sony receiver like that one (I think it was very close in model #). I replaced it and was amazed at how much better my system sounded.
You should think about selling that Sony and buying a new AVR.
Others will chime in with more advice, but I think it is safe to say that is the weak link in your system.
Have a great evening,
Eric.

concealer404

Doesn't that center actually go with the R-series?

sandworms

if your sony has adjustable level control for all channels you can try bumping the center ch a few db's. i had that problem for quite some time untill i got a decent center and a pre-amp with audessy mult eq

wutadumsn23

concealer404 wrote: »

Doesn't that center actually go with the R-series?

+1, I would agree that a new center should be on the top of your list. Timbre matching is very important with your front 3 and the center, IMHO, is the most important of all in any HT setup. Something like 50-75% of all audio is formatted to be played by your center, esp. dialogue. Do your self a favor and get a CS2 from Newegg, they are $119.99 w/ fre shipping and available in black and cherry. The CS2 is a beast and I think you will notice a difference with it if you were to get your hands on one. Just be careful though, placement can be an issue due to it's size, so take a look at the specs before you buy it and make sure you can accomodate it. Volume control will be less of an issue with the CS2, and I think the reason why you have that issue now, is because of the mismatched center. Your AVR could also be a downfall, it is an older one and doesn't have HDMI or pre-outs for adding an external amp down the road. You may not need an amp now, but you will eventually end up there if you stick around here long enough, lol. I don't know if you have a need for it or not, but if you plan to go Blu-Ray you will need it to be able to enjoy them to their full potential. Maybe even a sub is in your future as well, I have the 125 and I find it works very well in my small room, but bass can be an issue if you have a sizeable room and only the 110 trying it's heart out to fill up the room. Give us a budget and where you would like to end up in the future. Welcome to Club Polk, hope this helps.

-Jeff

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290024&cm_re=polk_audio_cs2-_-82-290-024-_-Product link to the CS2 on Newegg

cnh

I once owned that receiver...and ran it with some cheapo Sony speakers...I gave it to my son with a HTIB speaker system for his new apartment years ago. And set it up for him.

Your main problem is your center...get a CS2 and even with a Sony things will sound much better as Jeff says above. That's not a horrible AVR it just doesn't have much power. So I also wouldn't run it in more than 5.1 even though it is 6.1 capable. The MENUS though, are a bit screwy.

cnh

tonyb

Bump up the center volume manually in the blu-ray player. Do it also in the receiver and make sure your speaker wire is connected properly.

wutadumsn23

tonyb wrote: »

Bump up the center volume manually in the blu-ray player. Do it also in the receiver and make sure your speaker wire is connected properly.

LOL Tony. You are right we are starting to sound like broken records. Oh well, I don't mind helping, you guys put up with me when I was new. Hell you still put up with me now, lol.

-Jeff

tonyb

I think his problem is in his set up menu on the blu-ray. On most, if the channel level is set to "fixed", all levels for all speakers are automatically set to their max. You have to change the channel level to "variable" to adjust the individual speaker levels.

hitz

Thank you everyone for suggestions.

CS2 seems to be huge; I will check to see if it will fit in the space (CSM is also big). BTW, when I bought Monitor 70 and 40, this was my wife's statement:"If I see anymore speaker come in, you are going out". My WAF has been very low lately.

I use PS3 for DVD's and Blu-ray. I don't think there are any settings on PS3 for speakers channel level/volume; however, I will check it again.

On receiver, settings for surround and center channel is from -10 to +10db and I have set them to +5db for both, surround and center. Do I need to increase or decrease these settings?

My budget is exhausted for now.:( I can only stretch it for CS2. I don’t foresee a new AVR or an amp.

Thanks,

-Hitesh

concealer404

Solution: Buy the CS2. Hide it until she's gone for a little bit. Hide the CSM. Sell the CSM.

If she says anything "That one looks different, is it?" Tell her she's crazy.

wutadumsn23

LOL, she'll never notice, lol. There are no tweaks available on the PS3, that is all done through your AVR, keep messing with it until you get it working right. The CS2 will solve most of your problems, IMHO.

-Jeff

cnh

concealer404 wrote: »

Solution: Buy the CS2. Hide it until she's gone for a little bit. Hide the CSM. Sell the CSM.

If she says anything "That one looks different, is it?" Tell her she's crazy.

Sounds like a plan you've used in the past..well, I think I've done the same thing once or twice myself..if we're telling the truth. Wives rarely understand 'upgrrades'...but I did get mine to admit that if I SELL something I would be 'allowed' an upgrade.....so we're half way there...ha, ha!

cnh

superjunior

concealer404 wrote: »

Solution: Buy the CS2. Hide it until she's gone for a little bit. Hide the CSM. Sell the CSM.

If she says anything "That one looks different, is it?" Tell her she's crazy.

lmao! thats pretty much how I smuggled my whole system in place

concealer404

cnh wrote: »

Sounds like a plan you've used in the past..well, I think I've done the same thing once or twice myself..if we're telling the truth. Wives rarely understand 'upgrrades'...but I did get mine to admit that if I SELL something I would be 'allowed' an upgrade.....so we're half way there...ha, ha!

cnh

Nah, i just tell the girlfriend i'm buying something. If bills are paid, she can't say anything.

hitz

thanks for wonderful ideas and suggestions.

I am going with concealer404's way. I ordered CS2 from newegg.com and planning to make a switch over the weekend as my wife is going out for a shopping with her girlfriend.

can't wait anymore...

wutadumsn23

Good plan, that CS2 is going to make all the fifference in the world, IMHO. Let us know how it works out, lol.

-Jeff

concealer404

hitz wrote: »

thanks for wonderful ideas and suggestions.

I am going with concealer404's way. I ordered CS2 from newegg.com and planning to make a switch over the weekend as my wife is going out for a shopping with her girlfriend.

can't wait anymore...

Nice! Keep us posted on how that all goes. Also of course, how you like it.

hitz

Made the switch over the weekend and the best part....wife didn't notice the switch...... upgrade to CS2 from CSM is worth it...... The whole system came to life. Unbelievable............. Polk rocks.
Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions.

Hitz

wutadumsn23

No problem, glad you were able to make the swap. That CS2 is a beast, and I knew it would make a world of difference for you. Congrats!!

-Jeff

jchjchjch2

concealer404 wrote: »

Solution: Buy the CS2. Hide it until she's gone for a little bit. Hide the CSM. Sell the CSM.

If she says anything "That one looks different, is it?" Tell her she's crazy.

Awesome. That's almost exactly what I did with my new Rti towers. The only difference is that she knew she wasn't crazy, just a little unobservant.

I think buying the CS2 is a great idea, but here our my thoughts about that Sony....

I had the Sony 698, which is very similar to your current AVR. I was running two Rti4s for fronts, CSi3 for center, and a PSW for bass. Because all these speakers were in the Rti series they were voice-matched (don't know if that's the correct term?).

To say the least, I had similar difficulties with dialogue coming out of my center speaker. Turning the center speaker up, in comparison to the fronts, helped but seemed a little too bright and unnatural. I noticed a huge difference when playing DVDs that had DTS -- my system sounded the way it should sound.

I've since sold that receiver and have gone on to Harmon Kardon and now Onyko. Audessey on Onyko really calibrated my system well. Dialogue can be heard without turning the volume up and being blown out of your chair and waking up your neighbors when a action scene surprises you. Right now, I think what's effecting your dialogue is the AVR and current sound format of those DVDs. With this being said, I hope you find a solution with that new center speaker.

jchjchjch2

Sweet. I somehow missed your last post. Good for you!