[techguysteve]

So, I got both of my volt 8s wired up last night. I've experimented with 2 types of sound damping material. I've got some flat foam, about 1 inch thick, and some mattress topper egg crate foam (all I could find at the stores) which is about 2 inches thick.

In both instances, I connected the speaker to my center channel to see how they sound. Everything is great until I get some of the male vocals and low female vocals, and some explosions. I'm guessing this is in the 250hz range. The sound is a bit echoey... kind of a hollow, tinny sound. It's not very much, but I can slightly notice it.

So, should I change to some other sort of sound damping material, or am I just expecting too much from these speakers..

Thanks!

 

[Mrkazador]

If you have a mic or spl meter, measure the response. Also double check the crossover.

 

[JohnDean]

Is Audyssey active? Did you run it between each swap?

 

[chalugadp]

So, I got both of my volt 8s wired up last night. I've experimented with 2 types of sound damping material. I've got some flat foam, about 1 inch thick, and some mattress topper egg crate foam (all I could find at the stores) which is about 2 inches thick.

In both instances, I connected the speaker to my center channel to see how they sound. Everything is great until I get some of the male vocals and low female vocals, and some explosions. I'm guessing this is in the 250hz range. The sound is a bit echoey... kind of a hollow, tinny sound. It's not very much, but I can slightly notice it.

So, should I change to some other sort of sound damping material, or am I just expecting too much from these speakers..

Thanks!

I would try eq first. Add a 2db boost at 300 and maybe 1db at 400hz. So many factors with room being biggest culprit. I have a few demo tracks I use for voices. I know them well and rely on them more then measurements. Measurements can help isolate the frequency. I find with most minor issues eq works great . big issues need room treatments.

 

[techguysteve]

I don't have a mic that is specifically designed for making response measurements, but I do have some PC mics for voice chat. Would that work, or do I need a special mic like a Dayton EMM-6?

Yes I did have Audyssey active, but it was configured for my other speakers. I didn't think that would make that big of a difference, but I'll try running Audyssey with the Volts.

I'll have to see if my receiver offers the ability to set gains at selectable frequency ranges. I think the only option is Audyssey or a flat DB boost. It's a Marantz SR5007.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[edmorrison]

I had the same thing happen to me when I added my Finalist Center Channel. I left the previous audessy cal on and the sound was very tinny. Once I recalced with audessy the speakers sounded worlds better. I would think that breaking the volts in would help also.

 

[Mrkazador]

I don't have a mic that is specifically designed for making response measurements, but I do have some PC mics for voice chat. Would that work, or do I need a special mic like a Dayton EMM-6?

You can use the Audyssey mic.

Yes I did have Audyssey active, but it was configured for my other speakers. I didn't think that would make that big of a difference, but I'll try running Audyssey with the Volts.

Every time you move furniture, move speakers, or change speakers, Audyssey needs to be re-run. It makes a big difference.

 

[dtsdig]

Definitely re-run Audyssey for the new speakers; it can make a huge difference. As mentioned already though, the Volts can take a while to break in. Their surrounds are very stiff when new. Be patient.

 

[raynist]

Did you use any poly fill in the speaker boxes?

I agree with the others though, it is unfair to the speakers, and actually useless to listen to speakers using the calibration from a different speaker.

Turning Audyssey off complete and listening would be better if you don't have the time for a full calibration.

 

[techguysteve]

Thanks for all the suggestions I will run the Audyssey and re-eval later today.

As for the poly fill, no I did not use any. I just used the egg crate foam on the inside. I do have a bunch leftover from my ultimax build that I could try out after I re-test with a calibration.

 

[Samps]

If your old speaker had a peak at 1000hz audyssey would cut it down. If the new speaker has a dip at 1000hz that old audyssey calibration would cut that dip ever further. All it knows is cut x db at x hz (or boost of course).

 

[techguysteve]

Ok, so I hooked up the volts in 2.1 config, ran the Audyssey, and did some more testing. Wow, what a difference that made. I wasn't giving Audyssey enough credit, it really does a drastic change on your speakers. The hollow sound is gone, and these things sound great! I dare say they give my mains a run for their money. The lows are a bit weaker, but still nice and smooth until the sub picks up. The detail in the mids and highs are wonderful.

After I was pleased with they way the volts performed, I hooked up the mains and got the volts on the wall, and performed a 5.1 calibration. After a little more tweaking, I had everything dialed in just right. Ran a few more tests and was very impressed by the results. I was hearing far more ambient sounds than before. It's not really a volume thing, but a detail thing. Things like water dripping, echos, distinct voices behind me, where all clear as day where before it was just a muddy mess (not that I should expect anything different from my old surrounds).

Thanks everyone!