[Petro62]

I currently have my old Sony STR-DH800 Pioneer SP-C22

Long story short I have cobbled together some Frankenstein style system which I currently have set up as 3.1 and I am still not happy with the sound specifically dialogue.

So here is the "system":
Receiver: Sony STR-DH800
TV: TCL 55 R Series
Center: Pioneer SP-C22
Left/Right & Sub: Small Klipsch speakers from an old Klipsch surround sound in a box
TV: Has Roku built in and I have AppleTV connected to it via HDMI and then I have an optical cable connecting the TV to the Receiver.

When bought the receiver and Klipsch system a decade ago I used it as a full 5.1 system, but then I moved and just made it a 3.1 system due to no clean way to run wires. The new building is all concrete so I am also very conscientious of my neighbors. Due to my hearing or whatever this has made it very difficult to be able to get good quality sound along with good clear dialogue. I bought my new 55" TCL TV and decided to just clean & simplify everything and purchased a soundbar (Yamaha 207 BL), but that was a horrible sound experience and quickly just reinstalled my old system. Then I thought since most of the sound comes from the center channel speaker maybe I should just upgrade it. So then I bought the Pioneer SP-C22 speaker and it is nice, but it puts out a fair amount more bass than I need. I would like to be able to bring up the dialogue while not increasing the bass. If possible I am wanting to know the best way to proceed before I just keep throwing random cash at stuff. Do I just need a more modern receiver that has more options? Are my speakers the issue? I wouldn't mind a new receiver to fix this and also add in the capabilities for wireless surround speakers as well. Most importantly though I need something that gives me good sound (especially clear dialogue) at lower volumes so my neighbors wont complain.

I apologize if this not the intent of this area of the forums, but I wasn't sure where else to put it. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Leeliemix]

I currently have my old Sony STR-DH800 Pioneer SP-C22



Long story short I have cobbled together some Frankenstein style system which I currently have set up as 3.1 and I am still not happy with the sound specifically dialogue.



So here is the "system":

Receiver: Sony STR-DH800

TV: TCL 55 R Series

Center: Pioneer SP-C22

Left/Right & Sub: Small Klipsch speakers from an old Klipsch surround sound in a box

TV: Has Roku built in and I have AppleTV connected to it via HDMI and then I have an optical cable connecting the TV to the Receiver.



When bought the receiver and Klipsch system a decade ago I used it as a full 5.1 system, but then I moved and just made it a 3.1 system due to no clean way to run wires. The new building is all concrete so I am also very conscientious of my neighbors. Due to my hearing or whatever this has made it very difficult to be able to get good quality sound along with good clear dialogue. I bought my new 55" TCL TV and decided to just clean & simplify everything and purchased a soundbar (Yamaha 207 BL), but that was a horrible sound experience and quickly just reinstalled my old system. Then I thought since most of the sound comes from the center channel speaker maybe I should just upgrade it. So then I bought the Pioneer SP-C22 speaker and it is nice, but it puts out a fair amount more bass than I need. I would like to be able to bring up the dialogue while not increasing the bass. If possible I am wanting to know the best way to proceed before I just keep throwing random cash at stuff. Do I just need a more modern receiver that has more options? Are my speakers the issue? I wouldn't mind a new receiver to fix this and also add in the capabilities for wireless surround speakers as well. Most importantly though I need something that gives me good sound (especially clear dialogue) at lower volumes so my neighbors wont complain.



I apologize if this not the intent of this area of the forums, but I wasn't sure where else to put it. Thanks in advance for any help.

A picture of the setup would help us a lot to see whats what and a general idea of how the room looks and how the center speaker is placed.
There are a few things you can try though. Make sure there is no flat surface just in front of the center.
Increase the trim volume of just the center 1.5dB-3dB (maybe even more).
Set the crossover for the center at 80hz or 100hz, you can try 120hz or even higher also.
Put a rug between you and the center so less floor reflections.
Try to not sit very close to the back wall if any.

There are some newer recievers with voice enhancing modes, how good they are i dont know, probably depends on your room and hearing.
A much better center speaker may help but it depends on the other things.

Try the free things before you go spending money, probably a combination of these «remedies» will help some.



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[qirex]

Before you go get any new gear make sure your speaker positioning and room aren't making the problem worse. The tweeter should ideally be at ear level but that's not practical for a lot of people so it should at least be pointed at where your ears will be which might mean angling it up or down. Make sure it's not too far back in its stand or shelf, it should be right at the front edge of what it's sitting on. If you've got a coffee table in front try moving it out of the way temporarily to see what it sounds like. Maybe even turn off the center channel just to see what it sounds like through your LR alone.



My guess is ultimately it's your speakers causing more of the issue than your receiver. Those Pioneers are known for being not very efficient and voiced a bit bass heavy. There's a lot of good affordable centers but at this point I'd say start saving for a whole new front 3. Off the top of my head the Chane A series, Klipsch RP series, Ascend CMT/CBM and Hsu HB-1/HC-1 are known for being clear and efficient. There's threads for each of those manufacturers in the speaker forum.

 

[Petro62]

Thank you both for the replies. I don't have a picture on hand while I am at work. The way the room is set up my couch is right against a concrete wall so since I can't move that maybe I should put something on the wall behind it. I do have the speaker pulled up to the edge the shelf in the cabinet, but it is a bit it is lower than ideal (I would have to raise my TV to mount it near ear level). I have no obstructions in between the couch and the speaker (just a rug on the floor). I will play around with some of the things you both mentioned and see if anything improves. It stinks to hear that the Pioneers have this bass heavy issue as they were getting a lot of good reviews from what I saw when I researched, but I said the same thing about the soundbar I tried and it turned out to be terrible. Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will read up on the mentioned speaker suggestions.

 

[Leeliemix]

Thank you both for the replies. I don't have a picture on hand while I am at work. The way the room is set up my couch is right against a concrete wall so since I can't move that maybe I should put something on the wall behind it. I do have the speaker pulled up to the edge the shelf in the cabinet, but it is a bit it is lower than ideal (I would have to raise my TV to mount it near ear level). I have no obstructions in between the couch and the speaker (just a rug on the floor). I will play around with some of the things you both mentioned and see if anything improves. It stinks to hear that the Pioneers have this bass heavy issue as they were getting a lot of good reviews from what I saw when I researched, but I said the same thing about the soundbar I tried and it turned out to be terrible. Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will read up on the mentioned speaker suggestions.

Angling the center a little towards the ear level is fine, its very rare to have the center actually at that level.
Also since you sit so close to a concrete back wall, lean forward a foot or two just to see if you hear things better. Putting somethibg behind that absorb/scatter the sound some should help.
Most inexpensive speakers seem to be tuned a little bass heavy, guess it sells better in the store then more neutral sounding speakers. Just like TVs are run at super bright modes in stores which does not work at home at all.


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[smithsabom]

that pioneer center channel is often complained about. along with the list already given the emotiva c1 or the bigger c2 are often recommended

 

[cocrh]

If re-position the center does not work out for you a really good center might be in order.


Smaller but very good sounding and good return policy is the RSL CG23 center

https://rslspeakers.com/products/new-cg23-monitor-center-channel/


A very good 3 way center but big is the Emotiva C1

https://emotiva.com/collections/loudspeakers/products/airmotiv-c1

Another great 3 way center from Polk is the LSiM 704C but is big too.

https://www.adorama.com/pkalsim704c...t&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=rflaid62905

If you wanted to stay with Klipsch this is a good center too

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_714RP500CW/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-500C-Walnut.html

 

[afrogt]

another thing you can do is change the crossover for the center channel. Maybe 100hz or 120hz so you don't get so much bass.

 

[Petro62]

Thank you all for all the suggestions. I played around and got it to be little better, but in the end I think will save some cash up and look to buy a set of 3 speakers and look to use one of the center channels mentioned above. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[pase22]

You just happen to be the proud owner of the most complained about speaker in this forum, the Pioneer C22. Your Klipsch mains are a little on the small side so upgrading to full size bookshelf speakers would certainly improve your listening experience.

Emotiva C1
https://emotiva.com/collections/loudspeakers/products/airmotiv-c1
Emotiva B1
https://emotiva.com/collections/loudspeakers/products/airmotiv-b1

 

[Petro62]

You just happen to be the proud owner of the most complained about speaker in this forum, the Pioneer C22.

That made me laugh. Yeah lesson learned. I googled the C22 all around and it seemed to be mostly positive. I know different environments and situations = different results, but for now on I will review my purchases here.

 

[pase22]

That made me laugh. Yeah lesson learned. I googled the C22 all around and it seemed to be mostly positive. I know different environments and situations = different results, but for now on I will review my purchases here.

You'll get much more honest advice in the forum than many audio shops who are trying to make rent.

 

[Petro62]

Bringing this old thread back. I hadn’t made much progress for a few reasons but it seems my hand may be forced. This morning my AVR would not send any sound to the speakers. Even tried the test tone/auto calibration and had no luck. I will keep messing with it but I think it is time I seriously look into a new AVR.

I would prefer to keep it under $500 if possible either the following features. I admit I am not super knowledgeable so if some of features seem silly forgive me lol.

7.2 - won’t use it now but want to the ability to expand in future

4K

I would like an AVR with some sort of “sound leveling”. Meaning the volume stays more consistent. Since I live in an apartment in a noisy city the quiets parts are hard to hear and the loud parts are overpowering. My Sony AVR had night mode but even that didn’t seem to really even out the volume but more just lower the bass booms and such.

That is all that I know I require but I am open to whatever. I would just like to find the happy spot of not over spending but also not going so budget that I limit myself in the future. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

4K -

 

[jdsmoothie]

Bringing this old thread back. I hadn’t made much progress for a few reasons but it seems my hand may be forced. This morning my AVR would not send any sound to the speakers. Even tried the test tone/auto calibration and had no luck. I will keep messing with it but I think it is time I seriously look into a new AVR.

I would prefer to keep it under $500 if possible either the following features. I admit I am not super knowledgeable so if some of features seem silly forgive me lol.

7.2 - won’t use it now but want to the ability to expand in future

4K

I would like an AVR with some sort of “sound leveling”. Meaning the volume stays more consistent. Since I live in an apartment in a noisy city the quiets parts are hard to hear and the loud parts are overpowering. My Sony AVR had night mode but even that didn’t seem to really even out the volume but more just lower the bass booms and such.

That is all that I know I require but I am open to whatever. I would just like to find the happy spot of not over spending but also not going so budget that I limit myself in the future. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

4K -

As the new 2020 models start being released from the major AVR brand mfr's, the 2019 models will start going on clearance. For starters review post 1 of the 2019 Denon Owner's thread as with either the S750H or S950H likely to meet your requirements (although only the S950 is being replaced this year) noting that Audyssey Dynamic Volume is the feature of interest to you.

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-r...eries-avr-owner-s-thread-faq-posts-1-8-a.html

Dynamic Volume
Solves the problem of large variations in volume level between TV, movies and other content (between quiet passages and loud passages, etc.) by automatically adjusting to the user's preferred volume setting. Heavy: Most adjustment to softest and loudest sounds.