Center Channel Dialogue

mceljo

for simplicity, let's say center channel is dialog.

I understand your method, HOWEVER,

that does not solve 5.1 movies/music videos, streaming. 5.1 has DEDICATED center channel content (mono) as well as dedicated L/R rear/sub out. The 5.1 center channel content does not exist in the L or R channels, thus, for 5.1 content you NEED a center channel speaker.

When you tell your AVR to use 2 channel/stereo mode (as I often do), it then reassigns the mono center channel content to the L and R channels  (dual mono) so a phantom center image exists as it does with our 2 channel music systems. The L and R are also making phantom imaging (a bit left/a bit right/center) like 2 channel stereo does. The rear and sub out are also moved to the front L and R, directional cues lost, but content present.

@elliottbnewcombjr - Your AVR can take 5.1 and make it 4.1 without an issue just like it can take a 5.1 and make it stereo. I have always had a 4.1 setup.

You simply have to make sure that the AVR is setup to not have a center channel.

mceljo

I see you can do that IF the particular AVR offers it.

I just checked a few Denon AVR’s on Crutchfield, manuals do not mention 4.1, perhaps the ’no center’ choice is there but unmentioned.

"Try setting it up for 5.1 and then go to SETUP MENU > SPEAKERS > MANUAL SETUP >SPEAKER CONFIG, and set Center to None (instead of Small or Large). I have the same model, and just tested this out with the first scene of the Godfather, which is all dialogue. With 5.1, the dialogue is all in the center, with faint echoes in the L/R channels. With the Center disabled, the dialogue was evenly split between the L and R. Can’t guarantee that it’s true 4.1 with all the center channel data folding into the L/R channels, but it certainly sounded that way to me. Good luck!"

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HOW would this help OP understand dialog better? Seems to exist to omit buying/fitting a center channel, why else would you do it?

IF he is cupping his ears, then he is blocking the rear surrounds and reflections from them.

Perhaps they need to have their volume reduced in the menu, speaker adjustments

OR, go to 3.1 mode, omitting the rear sounds he is blocking with his hands

@elliottbnewcombjr In terms of dialog clarity, did you prefer the 5.1 or with the center channel disabled?

ericsch

the issue is the OP, not me. Presently he needs to cup his hands at his ears to get ’better’ dialog.

It could be that he needs to get in the AVR menu and properly adjust his speakers. He could raise the center channel volume a bit more than the front left and front right. His rear speaker level ought to be generally ’non-apparent’ until he turns rear off. i.e. ready to do their job: Apparent for Black Hawk Down helicopter; Jurassic Park ...... in his case LOW.

Also, OP should try turning the REAR SPEAKERS OFF, by:

a. in the menu

b. change AVR to 2 channel stereo mode

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Me: I have 5.1 balanced, use it for ’true 5.1 source’, i.e. BluRay movies, Music DVDs.

Cable content: Some is good at 5.1, I often check ’Direct’, and may change to MUSIC 2.0 which frequently is better, coming from the stage. I think there is a lot of Pseudo surround, poorly done.