Center Channel Dialogue
I am looking for suggestions to increase the comprehension of vocals for my center channel. I realize many movies and programs are produced such that understanding the dialogue can be a challenge.
My home theater is mostly Martin Logan: Summit X front, reQuest surround, LX 16 rear surround, SVS and Velodyne subs, and a Stage center. The amp for the Summits is a Pass XA30, all others use an Earthquake Cinenova Grande amp with over 300 watts/channel.
My issue is that I have to cup my hands over my ears to understand the dialogue. I have adjusted the Marantz 8801 pre/pro to maximize the output. I also use one channel of an equalizer to further increase output, and have also adjusted the different frequencies trying to improve dialogue.
I've angled and raised the Stage center the best I could.
My question is, should I look at different center speakers? I like having all electrostats, and wonder if a substitute non-electrostat would match? Would a horn center like Klipsch make sense?
Recently I considered a DBX expander, but don't know if that would help or hurt.
BTW, it's tiring holding my hands over my ears to understand the dialogue:)
I appreciate any suggestions.
Yes, I did adjust the center level on the Marantz pre-pro to max. I also adjusted the equalizer to add more volume. It doesn't seem like a volume level issue now, more of a comprehension issue. Cupping my hands seems to direct the sound waves from the center speaker to my ears, if that makes sense. Thanks for the SVS suggestion. I have one of their subs and really like it. I'll look into their center speakers also. |
OP,
First of all, I am really sorry to hear the problem you are having. Second, there is something very wrong. We have had a great home theater system and a bedroom system (currently a 65” with a Sennheiser Ambeo sound bar) for at least 30 years and never experienced anything like you are. Dialog (typically 85+% on center channel) has always been really easy to understand, never difficult to understand in the least. Your speakers are good and unless completely defective cannot be the problem.
The problem has to be something very big… nothing little like your center channel angle. When you go through the surround equalization procedure tne center is at the same volume to you as all the other speakers?
The only thing that comes to my mind is your surround processor has a faulty center channel. |
@hillbilly559 I agree with @ghdprentice here. There is something very wrong here. You don't have to do any of these extra stuff to balance left, center, and right speakers. Marantz should have three options for the center channel: phantom, normal, and full range. I would first use phantom option. This will allow the left and right speakers reproduce the center channel. Use the built-in test tone generator and see if you get same sound from left-center(phantom)-right channels. I suspect your receiver may not be decoding the center channel at correct level. If that step works, then take the center per-out and connect it to a separate amp and connect your center speaker to that. If that works, then your Marantz amp driving the center channel is the culprit. I have use Yamaha receivers in 7 speakers + 2 subwoofer arrangement and never had this problem. There is something fundamentally wrong here. |
Have you tried eliminating the center channel all together and allowing the processor to ghost it back in? I know my home theater setup is anything but idea, but I run a 4.1 setup and certainly have never had any issues with understanding dialogue (at least nothing that subtitles wouldn't resolve...LOL). I know that a center channel should be superior to not having one, but it might be worth at least seeing how the sound changes. It might help diagnose the issue. |
