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What's wrong with my Surround Sound system?

593 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by louthewiz, May 16, 2006

meteorstorm42

Discussion Starter · May 15, 2006

(it's a CREATIVE Inspire GD580 system)

One of the speakers is WAY quieter than the rest.

It's not the speaker itself, because if I switch speakers around, whichever one is in the rear left ends up really quiet...

When I hit the "Test" button on the remote, they all sound fine the first time around, but by the third time, the rear left one is a little quieter.

The problem is briefly solved when I turn off the decoder, but only stays fixed for like a minute or two

Any ideas?

I'd rather not shell out $200 bucks for another one...

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

ericgl

· #2 · May 15, 2006

Apparently you have a bad amp channel.

The_Dark_Knight

· #3 · May 15, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by meteorstorm42
(it's a CREATIVE Inspire GD580 system)

One of the speakers is WAY quieter than the rest.

It's not the speaker itself, because if I switch speakers around, whichever one is in the rear left ends up really quiet...

When I hit the "Test" button on the remote, they all sound fine the first time around, but by the third time, the rear left one is a little quieter.

The problem is briefly solved when I turn off the decoder, but only stays fixed for like a minute or two

Any ideas?

I'd rather not shell out $200 bucks for another one...

"What's wrong with my Surround system?"

You spent 200 dollars on it.

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meteorstorm42

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 15, 2006

Thanks for nothing -_-

It's been working fine for the past year. But I think something happened to it when I moved

I don't have the money to get something that's top of the line. the $200 one I have suited me just fine.

What I want to know is:

Would getting ONLY a new decoder fix the problem?

(spending $100 beats spending $200 again)

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Elguapo123

· #5 · May 15, 2006

"Thanks for nothing -_-"

You're a funny guy.

Maybe this is a stupid question but can you just turn that speaker up?

Nuance

· #6 · May 15, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Dark_Knight
"What's wrong with my Surround system?"

You spent 200 dollars on it.

LOL. No, but seriously meteorstorm, go out and purchase a SPL meter. Use it to calibrate your speaker system. Then all the speakers (including subwoofer) will be the same dB loudness at the listening position.

rallen

· #7 · May 16, 2006

If it starts out fine, but fades out, it does sound like something in the electronics area. Maybe something failing as it gets hot.

You probably would be ok just replacing the decoder, but it could very well happen again. This unfortunately is the problem with less expensive components, they fail a lot more often.

You really should think about what you want out of a system, and maybe consider saving up a little money for something better. At least check out the home theater in a box forum for some affordable systems that can sound better than what you have and may last a lot longer.

Good luck with it all.

The_Dark_Knight

· #8 · May 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nuance
LOL. No, but seriously meteorstorm, go out and purchase a SPL meter. Use it to calibrate your speaker system. Then all the speakers (including subwoofer) will be the same dB loudness at the listening position.

I wouldn't reccommend an SPL meter for a 200 dollar system.

The price of the meter itself will cost about 1/5 the cost of the system.

With a 200 dollar system he should be able to calibrate the system by ear and get as close as he would have with a meter.

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JohnR_IN_LA

· #9 · May 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by meteorstorm42
I don't have the money to get something that's top of the line. the $200 one I have suited me just fine.

Obviously it didnt suit you fine, it broke. And by the end of this thread you will realize its not worth fixing.

I bet your built-in TV speakers are still working fine, and probably sounds fine. Why dont you just use them until you can afford a minimal level of quality?

I bought two entry level HTIBs before i learned my mistake. My TV actually sounded better than both of them, for dialog.

meteorstorm42

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 16, 2006

By "affordable" and "minimal level of quality" what price do you mean?...

*worried*

Elguapo123

· #11 · May 16, 2006

Seems this thread isn't real friendly to newb with little money. If you can't get enough money to buy something better, then next time buy it from a respected brand. I have plenty of cheap electronics that have lasted years. It's partly a matter of luck partly a matter of quality.

Did you try turning it up yet?

JohnR_IN_LA

· #12 · May 16, 2006

Figure 75 bucks each for the 5 speakers, 150 for the sub, and then maybe 225 for the receiver...

Look at some of the threads in the HTIB forum, where people "see the light" and develop low-cost "seperate" setups. They are always delighted afterwards.

Elguapo123

· #13 · May 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnR_IN_LA
Figure 75 bucks each for the 5 speakers, 150 for the sub, and then maybe 225 for the receiver...

Look at some of the threads in the HTIB forum, where people "see the light" and develop low-cost "seperate" setups. They are always delighted afterwards.

You might even be able to do the speakers for less if you want to. I've heard that Outlaw.com frequently has the Polk r15 on sale for $50/pair. If you bought six, it'd only cost you $150. So, around $500 for a complete system that'll knock the socks off what you got.

JohnR_IN_LA

· #14 · May 16, 2006

Yep an aggressive shopper can do better

Nuance

· #15 · May 16, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Dark_Knight
I wouldn't reccommend an SPL meter for a 200 dollar system.

The price of the meter itself will cost about 1/5 the cost of the system.

With a 200 dollar system he should be able to calibrate the system by ear and get as close as he would have with a meter.

It's a $200 system? Oh...

Still, if you are into audio at all, a SPL meter is a must even if it costs a fifth of your system

louthewiz

· #16 · May 16, 2006

You get what you pay for ,good things are not cheap and cheap things are not good.

If you were to spend $500.00 you can get a killer 5.1 system.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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