General question on center channel level setting (1 Viewer)

[keithling]

How many of you bump your center channel speaker level up after doing calibrated settings? I have lstened to numerous movies after setting my Pioneer VSX-1019 using MCACC according to the manual. The dialogue in most action movies is WAY too quiet. I'm considering about a 9db bump. My living room is not huge, but it does have a vaulted ceiling that goes from about 8-9' high. My center channel speaker is directly below the TV, so it is not obstructed or too low. Speakers are Polk Monitor 70s L/R, Polk CS2 center, Polk Monitor 30s on stands (rear), and 2 Polk SW505 powered subs. The subs are at very tame levels. We watched Thor on Blu-ray tonight, and I had to ride the volume throughout the movie. Not fun.

 

[Frank A]

I do. My hearing is not what it used to be.

 

[gene c]

Both the 70's and the CS2 have an SPL of 90. But I guess it depends on whats being played. And I've always felt Pioneers had very clear mid-range/vocals (currently using a vsx-23txh). My biggest problem seems to be watching sports in HD and DD 5.1. The crowd noise is much louder than the commentators (second thought-maybe not a bad thing). I also notice this with other sources so I change things once in a while. There doesn't seem to be any consistancy in recorded or broadcast volume levels. To me, adjusting the volume trim levels via remote control is mandatory for any receiver that I would ever own. Just curious keith, what numbers did MCACC come up with for your speakers?