Denon 3801, less bass in 5ch stereo than in stereo mode?

Maybe because it outputs less power when driving all 5 speakers.

Or your surrounds raise the volume level of the highs and mids and the bass gets "drowned" out.

 

AaronNWilson, I am assuming you have a subwoofer, In that case all you do is calibrate your receiver with more base on 5 channel stereo. The Denon will remember your setting for each input.

 

Yep that's true if you did your calibration in the DD/DTS mode it won't apply to all modes[unless you have used the internal test tones],so I would start there.Normally Denons "boost" bass in the 5/7 ch modes if the main 5/7 speakers are set to small,due to the "bass summing" from more then 2 channels.

 

The center channel has less bass for some reason!!!!! This is part of the problem on the Denon. It only outputs stuff that is the same on both channels to the center. I have my speakers set to large(these are really large speakers) except my rear surrounds and I have a sub. I have too much bass. Which brings me to the next gripe. I need a 50 or 60 HTZ crossover!