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General discussion

Home Theatre with TV set-up

Aug 4, 2005 2:44AM PDT

When using a Home Theatre set up, are you supposed to use the TV's audio as well? When I did that, it sounded like the timing is slightly different, giving it an echo effect.

Discussion is locked

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Home Theatre with TV set-up
Aug 4, 2005 2:51AM PDT

If you have 5.1 setup with a center speaker you sould not use the TV speaker. John

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I have 5.1 but.....
Aug 4, 2005 2:54AM PDT

For some reason, I hardly ever hear sound coming out of the 2 rear speakers. I have an Onkyo HTIB that is approx 3 years old. Maybe I just have it on the wrong settings. Maybe I should invest in better speaker wire? Thats a whole different subject I could get into.

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Rear channels
Aug 4, 2005 3:11AM PDT

There's probably nothing wrong. Rear speakers on 5.1 systems mostly produce special effects. That's how most soundtracks are channeled.

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speaker wire
Aug 4, 2005 3:19AM PDT

I've been using the speaker wire that came with the system. Am I foolish for doing this? Am I missing out on much better sound by getting better speaker wire and connectors?

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Speaker Wire....
Aug 4, 2005 5:22AM PDT

...If what came with the system was thinner than 16 guage (i.e. 18, 20, 22) then you can probably improve the sound a bit with better wire. if it's already 16 guage or better and your runs are under 15-20 feet then any change will probably only make very modest (if any at all) changes. If you're not sure just go down to your local hardware store and get as much "double copper lamp cord) (you know the stuff that comes out of the back of your lamps ar home...lol) and rewire all the speakers. Souldn't set you back too much. The stuff is usually available for 18-22 cents a foot.
Good luck.

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Speaker Wire....
Aug 4, 2005 6:53AM PDT

But isn't wire made from unobtanium better???

If you belive that there's a bridge in Brooklyn I will sell you.


Yes just go down to your local Home Depto and buy at least 16ga wire. John

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Try using a sound meter
Aug 4, 2005 6:58AM PDT

Go buy a sound meter from Radio Shack ($50) and set your speakers up properly. A little adjusting will make a huge difference.

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ok...
Aug 4, 2005 2:45PM PDT

Sometimes people place their rear channels a little too high or too far back for optimum effect. But thats ok, you can just adjust the gain to compensate. I placed in good spots & still turned them up a bit. I like to know they are there; I like the surround experience.

first of all, verify that you have your rear channels plugged in correctly. The brute force way to do this is by playing a dvd that has surround sound.

Assert that surround sound is selected in the dvd setup/language menu, sometimes its called dolby 5.1 or dolby digital (also DTS, but very rare & not supported by all players/receivers).

Go stand back by your rear channels & see if you hear ANYTHING come out of them. If so, then just adjust the gain on your rear channels. Do this with your receiver.

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Turning the Receiver waaay up
Aug 8, 2005 2:35AM PDT

I was watching "Finding Neverland" on DVD yesterday, and I was only able to hear what they were saying when i turned the volume all the way up to level 70. That seems a bit high in my opinion. Do you think its the speakers or the receiver?