Receiver Too Weak?

The dialog in video can challenge even a very high end HT or 2 channel system.  I improved it by upping the output put from the center channel in the settings of the AVR.  Since center channels are mainly for speech and not much involved with music, it doesn’t alter the musical content.

Op,

Here's my short list to solve what I'll call your HT amplification problem: Can't hear details (dialogue, or otherwise), (plus, maybe weak soundstage?): 

1. Mostly HT: high sensitivity speakers for sure (95db or more)

2. Size of your room?  Sm/Med (Your speakers w/ subs (+ AVR/amp of 200w or more); Large Rm: floor standing 3-way speakers (DefTechs are great for movies, not so great for music) + Sub/s   with almost any AVR not less than  100w/ch for ALL surrounds (which really means you'll need an AVR or amp pushing 200w/per anyway).

3. Subs ALWAYS for HT.  I recommend 2, but you have a large SVS, so may be fine.

OP-One more thing..(my Columbo...)

I really got as big boost in my HT system when I used the pre-out to a separate 3 way amp (It was an Acurus 200x3) to handle the fronts and center channel.  I mean EVERYTHING changed then and there.  My setup was a Denon x4500h (still in the system handling TV sources) and the Deftechs: 9080x fronts, CS 9040 and SR 9040s for a 7.2 system.  The fronts had 12" woofers but I still used  2  8" subs. 

Just consider what you've been seeing posted so far:  If you want a great HT system you need high sensitivity speakers and a moderate to high-powered amplification from a outboard amp or heavy duty AVR.

Again, good luck!

First, thank you all for the responses and sorry for being slow to respond myself. I think these are the answers to the questions I saw…

1. I don't really listen to a ton of music on the system. I watch tv/movies and play video games. 

2. The sub is a Martin Logan (https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/dynamo-500)

The floor speakers are bi-amped and the setup for it in the receiver settings is done. Should I undo that? If I understand correctly that would reduce the power which will make them perform worse, but maybe the balance will be better until I can improve my equipment? Or does bi-amping not really work as well as it sounds like it should?

The floor speakers are bi-amped and the setup for it in the receiver settings is done. Should I undo that? If I understand correctly that would reduce the power which will make them perform worse, but maybe the balance will be better until I can improve my equipment? Or does bi-amping not really work as well as it sounds like it should?

- Remove the "biamp" ....not the right thing to do with a low/bottom budget receiver.

- Read the receiver manual front to back. Learn how to setup and run a calibration correctly...and understand all features.

- Read some of the comments above again if music is a priority. For just TV and games, don’t worry yourself too much..do whatever...