Music too low....Sound effects too high

How many speakers (two, three, surrounds)?
Using a surround mode (DD, DTS, DPL, DPLII, DPLIIx)?
What model# receiver?
All sources (DVD, BRD, cable, satellite, OTA)?
How are source(s) connected to the receiver?


Sounds to me as if you need to properly setup/calibrate your receiver/speaker settings.

Point being, depending on source the answer changes. It may be as simple as your speakers are not calibrated. DirecTV has a HD setting that allows you to change the background effects from low to normal to high. So perhaps you may need to change that setting. Also, most AVR's have a dynamic setting that can be engaged or dis-engaged that also changes the loudness of effects. You need to calibrate, and then look to your sources.

MCACC is not good. Set it up manually.

By "Music" do you mean "front speakers," and by "sound effects" do you mean the rear speakers?

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Declarative statements like this with no rationale to back them up are useless.

Well, if your system is calibrated properly, that is probably how it is supposed to sound. It's called "dynamic range."

Do you have your center channel turned up so you can hear dialog better at lower volumes? Because if you do, music will be quieter because it is often sent to the L and R speakers more so than the center. Many sound effects will be centered with the dialog, and will thus be much louder. That is, if you do have it turned up.

Check your receiver for any dynamics controls. I don't know what Pioneer calls them. Something like night mode or whatever. Switch it back and forth to see if there is a difference.

Is your center speaker the same model as the L and R?