3802 - Centre Channel - Problem

[stevos]

I have had a 3802 for quite sometime now (around 3 years) and have always loved it. However i have never been thought the centre channel information is clear enough (vocals etc). I know it doesn't lye with my centre speaker as i have tried using a virtual centre.

I have used a sound pressure metre to set the channel levels, but currently have the centre channel several dB higher than it should be.

Is this a common problem with the 3802 or Dolby Digital or it just me?

[sbowler]

I have the same model as you and have not experienced this, If you have the centre higher than the others then it should be clearly audible. Some movies have the dialogue quite low, is the problem across all your discs, reduce all the other channels slightly, but I suppose thats the same as increasing the centre. Do other people experience the same effect as you, I dont want to be rude but as we get older our hearing deteriorates, particularly in the higher frequencies. I know am knocking on 45 now
You could try a different speaker, check the cones for any damage, sorry cant think of anything else.

[stevos]

As i said, i have tried using a phantom centre and that didn't improve things, the vocals are still slightly muffled. It happens on all sources, not just dvd, so that can't be an issue.

I don't think it is an age thing, as i am only 26.

Another option, i have just thought of, could the room furniture be absorbing some of the midrange.

[Educated Guess]

Originally Posted by stevos

I have had a 3802 for quite sometime now (around 3 years) and have always loved it. However i have never been thought the centre channel information is clear enough (vocals etc). I know it doesn't lye with my centre speaker as i have tried using a virtual centre.

I have used a sound pressure metre to set the channel levels, but currently have the centre channel several dB higher than it should be.

Is this a common problem with the 3802 or Dolby Digital or it just me?

I experience exactly the same with my 3802. Had it from new, like you around 3 years.
I've never been happy with the centre channel and have always had it up higher than the front left/right just to get the dialogue clear and audible.
Problem is on some films the centre then starts to distort slightly and i have to sacrifice some dialouge clarity by turning it down. It's a Castle Keep centre speaker with qed silver anniversary cable, so it's more than up to the job.
Never been really happy with the amp, just never bothered to get around to changing it.
I'm long overdue an upgrade so at least it wont be an issue for long.

[stevos]

If and when you upgrade your amp, can you let me know if it solves the problem or not.

Cheers
Steve.

[Miniholic]

No such problems with my 3802. I have set mine up with an SPL meter, but the levels across the front three speakers aren't significantly different.

What speakers are you using? Are they all from the same manufacturer/range?

[gm0x45]

I was going to post a similar message and I'm glad to see people have a similar problem as mine. I have in fact the denon 1920 and I'm using the direct 6.1 output. The player is set accordingly, ie analog and multichannels. The amplifer is the Cambridge Audio azur 540R. The movie start with the centre speaker not very clear and pure, then later on, like 30-40 min after the start of the movie, I hear a very sharp noise then the sound of the center speaker becomes perfectly audible. So I don't know if it is a Denon problem, a speaker problem, an amplifer problem or a DVD problem. It looks like a Denon problem as you are not happy with your centre speaker sound. The speakers are monitor Audio, for the 3 of them. I haven't connecting any rear speakers, it might be the problem, but I don't believe so. The denon do have an option to only activate 3 speakers instead of 5 of them, and it's what I have done.

[monk_d_syple]

Well guys, I've been fighting this battle for about 6mths now and I'm still at square 1. I bought B&W 604s with the lcr600 as the center. I have the denon avr 1905 as processor and use music fidelity amps. When I watch moives and TV the dialogue is low and unclear. You ahve to be fully focused to get 50% of the dialogue. Its driving me insane. I've noted my concern on the B&W site and no one seems to have this problem. I've also noted my concern here before and again nobody seemed to have this problem. Worst of all I upgraded my new 603 spkrs with lcr60 for the previously mentioned, thinking it will improve my situation but it only made it worse. If anyone out there has a reason for the poor audio please let us know.

Music Fidelity mono amps X-A50

[gm0x45]

It really looks like it's a Denon problem. I've been asking this on other forum, and the main answer is a problem with the speaker cables apparently. Have you explore this route? Check the connectivity of your banana plugs? loose cables? The connectors on the amplifier? Have you try different DVD players? Do I understand that you never get a clear pure sound at all?

[monk_d_syple]

Hi, I get a decent sound for music. Not great though. But I don't with TV or DVD when using dolby. Its not a full sound, quite bassy and really below par overall. Considering what I paid for and the reputation of B&W and Denon, I'm very disappointed. The sound is so boomy that it hurts my ears after 30mins of TV listening!

[gchaplin]

I have a Denon 1801 and for ages thought the centre sound was muffled for a long time. But I found that if the centre speaker was set to large it was terrible and unclear but with it set to small it was much better. I have a Kef cresta C.
The dynamic range on dvd's can make the dialogue quiet, try turning d-comp onto low and that will bring up the speach volume but the loud stuff will be quieter.
I have been trying to decide if getting new cable would make it better or even bi-wiring it so if anybody knows...?

Gary

[Eastman]

Exactly the same problem on mine! I have the 3802 setup with keff 2005 eggs.
Only a some rectification with putting the centre on higher level then the others but by no means correct.

Ive also tired different DVD players but problem still exists!!

Ive even tried putting the speaker distance higher on the centre speaker but this makes no difference!

Like the others - Im also due an upgrade ---- Denon 3806 maybe? I heard the Tannoy Arenas on a 1906 (!) (Yes) and the vocals were much better and how I would like them at home. I watch Spider man which is quite action packed and low speech vocals. I suprprised to see how well the Tannoys with a 1906 - but did sound empty - if you know what I mean.

[stevos]

This is good and bad new for me. I have been debating upgrading my centre speaker for sometime, but it does look like that won't help.

Two options left i guess.
1. use a power amp to power the centre speaker (potentially using a stereo power to biamp it)
2. replace the denon, which would be pricey.