Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 173
veteran
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OP
veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 173 |
As it is the holidays I may treat myself to a speaker or other HT upgrade.
One thing I have always tried to do is set my speakers to the reference level (used to be 75db pink noise through all speakers except the sub which is supposed to be 85) and just live with it. In many movies, it seems dialog comes across as muted and if I turn the main volume up, the rest of the soundtrack is deafening when the bombs begin to drop.
I am sure I am not the only one who experiences this. So how many of you ignore the exact reference level and boost the center by a few db to get it to where you want it to be?
Greg
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,955 |
Sure do, about 1.5 db for me. I think this is very common practice as movie producers are always trying to overwhelm us with sound vs. dialog.
With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
Ditto what Murph said. I leave mine at +3dB, not because the vp160 is lacking; just the opposite. It improves intelligibility and because the sound quality is so good, I don't feel like the sound quality is taking a hit by boosting the 160 a little over my M60s.
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7
Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,077 Likes: 7 |
I don't boost mine, but I still understand people. I'm not sure if that's a gift or a curse.
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
Charles, maybe your center's wiring is reversed, because none of us understand you!
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015 |
With my current configuration, I've not needed to boost my enter.
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1 |
Short answer - I boost mine as needed, but return it to calibrated level after use (I do not like it boosted for music listening).
Longer answer (in case anybody finds it useful) - When I calibrate, I do it so that the center is at 0dB and offset all other channels relative to that. That way I can easily note if my center is boosted and by how much rather than by trying to remember what the calibrated offset is. I have shortcuts on my Harmony remote for center up and down in all of my programmed activities which is extremely useful.
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
Yeah, I should have mentioned that I return it to "calibrated" for multi-channel" music listening.
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863 |
Before i had a VP-180 i did boost my center. However, since getting a VP-180 i have no longer increased the level on the center higher than it needs to be.. The larger center made a HUGE difference.
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 173
veteran
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OP
veteran
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 173 |
Glad I am not the only one. My VP-150 is a top notch performer and since my hearing isn't the best, it could be me.
I am also watching the Harry Potter movies and with many words softly spoken with a British accent I miss more than I normally would. That is the nice thing about Stallone movies . . . not much dialog to miss.
Greg
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181 Likes: 1 |
I compared my VP150 with an M2 for center channel duties. There was a noticeable improvement (to me, in my room) with a vertical center channel over the VP150. You might want to give an M2 or M22 a try for center duties if you have the space. Keep in mind I have the in on wall versions, and the improvement was enough for me to go through the effort to cut, patch and paint my drywall for the speaker switch.
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 912 Likes: 4
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 912 Likes: 4 |
For the sake of convenience, no matter the manufacturer, small centre channels are always a compromise and because of the design there is the added issue of an unwanted boost in the 300-500HZ range which gives the human voice, depending on placement, an unnatural sound. The vertical designs like the M2, although small, are more even across the frequency range, hence, a more natural sound from the human voice. Like has been said many times before, although not often practical, the ideal set-up is the same identical speakers across the L/C/R.
The larger centres like the 180 and 160 with the bigger drivers and bigger boxes eliminate a lot of the problems that exist with their smaller cousins by adding considerably to the frequency range and as a result, generally don't require that extra volume boost either.
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Unless I am not able to listen to a movie at normal levels due to sleeping kids etc. but usually I don't boost the center.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
I still boost my 180 center, just like my previous 150. Audyssey has it set to -10dB and the l/r around -6dB, so I bump it up to equal or a bit more.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Who boosts the center channel output?
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
I run my VP160 about 3 db over the mains. I've tried it matched and didn't like it.
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