"Kalman Rubinson" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 17 May 2009 23:38:14 +0100, "Keith G"
wrote:


"Kalman Rubinson" wrote

Have you balanced the speaker
levels with a SLM or other device?


No, see below....

Too bad. Necessary.


Have you adjusted the delays for
each speaker?


No, see below....

Too bad. Necessary.


Is the center free-standing, off the floor and aimed at
the listener?


The centre is on the top shelf under the telly (spacings have been
adjusted
to better centralise things):

http://www.moirac.adsl24.co.uk/Screensize.jpg


It works fine there - the words still come stright from the actor's
mouths!
(Ask Rob! :-)

Apparently not since you have your complaint. Looking at your setup,
I wonder why you got a center channel. You main L/R speakers are not
very far apart.


Again, that suggests a setup/acoustics issue.


Right. Now the trouble begins! 'Wilful ignorance' is my middle name (s) -
ask anybody! 'Til now, I have studiously avoided getting involved with the
AV setup until and have no clue (yet) how to navigate and operate the
seemingly tricky menus on the Sony and am reluctant to start 'buggering
about' with it!

??? 'Buggering about?" What we are talking about is proper and
necessary setup procdures.

I know it shouldn't be too hard and the amp even comes with its own mic to
set it all up'automatically'! But, before I start, I don't see how the all
the amplifier settings (whatever they might be) can affect a 'standalone'
bit of dialogue - ie when the dialogue needs to relate to nothing else at
that moment...??!

The inclusion of the mic should be taken as an indication of the
importance of doing this right if you hope to achieve good
performance. First, the dialog is not 'standalone' and the fact that
it sounds OK when the speaker is used independently tells you that it
is the interaction of the elements that is at issue. Second, I see
lots of hard bare surfaces in your room. These are bad for acoustics,
thereby increasing the need for the electronics, at the very least, to
work correctly.

IOW, it appears I have a *paradox* on my hands!

Not a paradox, an opportunity.

Kal



Thanks for your input, Kal - I appreciate you taking the trouble!