I have a RSX-1055 that I use as a pre-amp and to power my center and rear surround speakers. I have Kef 104/2's that are powered by a conrad-johnson 200w/ch. amp. My center speaker is a Kef IQ6c. I also have a Martin Logan Grotto sub in the system. My problem is the quality of the sound in the center speaker is chesty and not really sharp with dialogue when listening in Dolby Pro-logic, 5.1 or Dolby Digital or DTS. I believe the Rotel is the culprit. How can I get the dialogue to sound clear with little upper bass overhang? My TV's speakers have better dialogue sound.
-
Last edited by asacam; 06 September 2008, 11:08 Saturday. -
what is the crossover setting at for the center channel?Originally posted by asacamGO Revel!!!!! (powered by ;x( Anthem) -
The RSX-1055 will only let me set the crossover for all spaekers. It is currently @ 80 hz.Comment
-
try 100hzGO Revel!!!!! (powered by ;x( Anthem)Comment
-
Thanks. i'll try the crossover @ 100 Hz, but wouldn't that setting send too much info to my subwoofer and localize it even more than 80 Hz?Comment
-
i would adjust the level settings on the rotel and sub to eliminate localizationGO Revel!!!!! (powered by ;x( Anthem)Comment
-
Timbre matching of center and mains is rather difficult especially if you have different speakers and amps powering them. I'd say both the center speaker and the receiver are to blame. Although both your main and the center are from Kef, they are made with completely different material.
Chesty dialog is usually the result of bloated midbass caused by boomy woofer or aggressive tuning of the ports in the small bookshelf or center speakers. If the ports are readily accessible you might want to try reducing port output using sponge or cotton balls. You can also experiment with the crossover settings as recommended by someone else. In my experience I was able to localize the subwoofer even at 80Hz. 50Hz gave me better results. But the crossover freq will depend on the speakers, room and also personal preference, so you should just try out various settings.
If nothing works, I'd suggest upgrading your center speaker first. Quality speakers are really worth it, and they last longer than typical electronics. If you want to upgrade your receiver, be sure to get one with Audyssey room correction software. Audyssey is capable of correcting room response and help with timbre matching.Comment
-
How's the center channel mounted? Shoving one in a cabinet or too close to the wall can cause the same chesty sound.
Kevin D.Comment
-
My center speaker is of relatively good quality. I'll see about playing with the port output, which is in the rear. This speaker is also bi-wireable. I tried disconnecting the woofers. The result wasn't great. The center is currently mounted under the TV in a cabinet that is totally open in the front and back. I have no other choice for mounting options.Comment
-
Just a thought, but have you tried running your center off of your other amp just to see if it is indeed the characteristics of the speaker as opposed to the 1055? Might be worth it just to see if there are any significant differences.Comment
-
That would do it. Try and bring the speaker forward of the cabinet as much as you can, and plug the port in the back with a sock. I'm really doubting you have an issue with wiring or the 1055.Originally posted by asacam
Kevin D.Comment
-
I had similar problem on both my RSP 1098 and RSX 1055. Both instances I had the CINEMA EQ "ON". I disabled this feature and everything sounded great especially my mains and center channel.
My cross-over points are set to 80Hz. I running Paradigm Signature 8's for my mains, S4's for my surrounds and C5 for my center, and Servo 15's for sub. All powered by 2-RMB 1095. All my entire front stage is all bi-amped.
And it was'nt till I turned off the CINEMA EQ and all seemed to shine!
Just my experience.
Russ.Comment
-
Thanks for the info about the Cinema EQ. I had discovered that this feature seems to clip the highs so I turned it off long ago. I now realize that all program material sounds different (some center channel info is clearer on some channels than others). Dolby Pro-logic/Dolby Digital also.Comment
-
did you try just setting the center channel to "small" ?- - - - - - - - - -
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggy?...or are you gonna bite?Comment
-
I have all my speakers set to small and crossed over to the sub @ 80Hz even though the 104.2's can go much deeper.Comment
-
I also suggest you move the center forward so the baffle is in front of the TV screen, and hopefully in front of the side walls of the cabinet. As well you must properly set the levels with a SPL meter (since you are using different amps for the L C R this is crucial).Comment
-
First of all, I would like to thank everyone here at this forum for listening to my problem and making suggestions to try and help me. Anyway, I've lifted up the front edge of my center speaker for a better direct-to-earlevel direction. I've bi-wired my speaker with a better quality cable. I also put a sock in the port, (I cannot tell if this made any difference and am concerned that Kef designed this to have a port and here I am plugging it). My Kef 104.2's are bi-wireable, so I have all 3 front mid/tweeters powered by the Rotel RSX-1055. So far these changes seemed to have made a little difference for the better. I notice some male dialogue, depending on how much bass is in the voice, sounds chestier than others. By the way, my cabinet also has perforated metal sidewalls.Last edited by asacam; 06 September 2008, 12:10 Saturday.Comment
-
FWIW, most B&W's with a port ship with a plug when putting them too close to a wall or in an enclosed space..
You might need to put an EQ in there to tone down the offending frequencies, but no easy way to do that using the 1055's amp.
Kevin D.Comment
-
Kevin D, I thought about an equalizer for the center and have one at the ready. This does imply another amp and the real estate to accomodate it, not to mention the expense. I assume there is no way to pre-out the center from the Rotel through the equalizer and back into the Rotel for its amp out to the center speaker.Comment
-
If you had a 1056 yes... With the 1055, no. At lease not without some solder and a schematic..
Kevin D.Comment
-
Kevin D, What if I used the center pre-out to the equalizer to the multi-input center? Or bought a used RSP-1066 and used its pre-outs (center to the equalizer) to the multi-inputs on the RSX-1055 to use its amps.Comment
-
Hello all,
Have been lurking through various HT forums for some time but new to Club Rotel. I have learnt much and have improved my system greatly with the advice I've learnt. However, I am looking to upgrade within a limited budget, and a limited physical space and wish some advice.... -
recently shelled out big bucks for an htm2d center along with 803d's and to be honest really not impressed with the dialogue at all....running them with marantz av and mm 8003's -- i have a pioneer blu ray bdp-o9fd and thought i would hear crystal clear dialogue with this stuff.... it has been a huge... -
The back panel of the unit indicates that speaker impedance should not be less than 8 ohms. I had high hopes of driving my KEF 104/2 speakers (nominal 4 ohms). Other Rotel units (e.g., the RB1050 power amp) drive these speakers effortlessly. I'd hate to have to consider the extra $$$ for the RSX1065... -
This is a review/comparison of the KEF XQ5's with Dynaudio Audience 82's:
I purchased a pair of KEF XQ5's used yesterday for $1,000 from Theatrical Concepts Inc. on Craig's List. They seem to be fully broken in; they lack the typical signs to indicate otherwise. Initially I was not sure... -
Hi all, I need all the advice and opinions you can give me:
I want to build a center channel speaker for a living rm that is open to a dining rm, kitchen and 2 hallways. 10 ft ceilings, hardwood floors. Yikes! I'm currently running a pair of home made 3 ways with twin 5.5" woofers...
Comment