2. home-theater
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Center Channel Dialogue

I am looking for suggestions to increase the comprehension of vocals for my center channel. I realize many movies and programs are produced such that understanding the dialogue can be a challenge. 

My home theater is mostly Martin Logan: Summit X front, reQuest surround, LX 16 rear surround, SVS and Velodyne subs, and a Stage center. The amp for the Summits is a Pass XA30, all others use an Earthquake Cinenova Grande amp with over 300 watts/channel.

My issue is that I have to cup my hands over my ears to understand the dialogue. I have adjusted the Marantz 8801 pre/pro to maximize the output. I also use one channel of an equalizer to further increase output, and have also adjusted the different frequencies trying to improve dialogue.

I've angled and raised the Stage center the best I could. 

My question is, should I look at different center speakers? I like having all electrostats, and wonder if a substitute non-electrostat would match? Would a horn center like Klipsch make sense? 

Recently I considered a DBX expander, but don't know if that would help or hurt.

BTW, it's tiring holding my hands over my ears to understand the dialogue:)

I appreciate any suggestions.

 

 

hillbilly559

Showing 2 responses by 12blistn

12blistn
30 posts
 

I'm not familiar with your equipment, but I am familiar with the problem.
My center channel is on a cabinet under my TV about a foot from the wall.  The first thing I added were some isolation feet to the fronts.  I noticed cleaner bass, so I added them to the center and surrounds.  Not sure if they did anything for the center and surrounds, but maybe.  The next thing I added was 3 layers of carpet pad foam cover with cloth under my center extending over the back of the cabinet.  That helped a lot, but....  My Denon AVR was getting long in the tooth and was replaced with an Anthem processor.  Great improvement!  I think the Anthem room correction helped with the bass in the room and made everything sound better.  Audyssey didn't work well with my Golden Ear speakers with built in subs.  Great center channel clarity at higher volumes. The final solution was hearing aides....

12blistn
30 posts
 

I agree that room acoustics are a major part of good sound and the OP should probably focus on that first. He didn't mention anything about his room and maybe I I incorrectly took that for granted..
I have an irregular shaped open room, vaulted ceilings, and tiled floors.  I added some absorptive panels, shag throw rugs with padding, and a crude bass trap. It made my room better, but still not ideal.  I forgot to mention I did all of that before the other things and still didn't have clear dialogue.  So, I guess the "first" thing I said I did wasn't really the first. 
I'm not sure if you can cost effectively "treat" an average room to the point of making any system sound good, but maybe?

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