Home Theater Volume ?

Don't know if your reciever can do this, but you want to set the center channel volume louder while maybe even setting the mains lower (if need be). May also have the sub set too high, so replay bass heavy scenes and adjust phase and volume.

Practicing it makes perfect.

If you have a "Night Mode" or "Dynamic Range Compression" you could try turning these to ON.

These sudden bursts of volume are normal for Movie Tracks, they will have the dialogue at a normal level, but when stuff blows up, it is enough to send yer dogs running to another room. It gives more of a realistic feel to the movie. After all, gunshots and explosions are alot louder than a normal talking voice.

Your reciever may or may not have a Dynamic Range Compression toggle, this will smooth and even out the volume to keep the peaks from getting to loud. In some recievers this is also called a "Night mode" or "DRC"

I used to have a Technics SA-TX50, and i think i remember that feature being on that reciever.

Also, check your DVD player, most DVD players have Dynamic Range compression feature. Make sure it is set to on.

Personally i hate having the compression on, i like it when machine guns go off and the whole house shakes. of course, this can be a serious problem if you have sleeping children or live in an apartment.

Is your center channel in a poor location? Is that why it is hard to hear dialogue? I would bet that upgrading the center would do wonders for clarity. Take your paradigm to a local dealer and compare it to a better model.