JSkip,
When you say you have the speakers set to the Denon default setting of "0", is that the reading on the receiver or on an SPL meter? Have you used the tone generator in the receiver and set all speakers to the same level from the listening position?
Also, do you have the distance settings for the rear surround speakers set correctly in your Denon receiver?
Also, you may want to check the settings in your DVD player...it may be set to PCM instead of Dolby which would downmix 5.1 to 2.0 (if memory serves me right)... That would effectively have everything coming out of the front speakers with nothing coming out of the back giving you that "overpowering feeling"...
On an additional note, the investment of a Radio Shack SPL meter and the AVIA Guide to Home Theater or Sound & Vision will help render a great improvement...
Just my .02,
WhatFurrer
