Speaker Cable and AV Receiver Trouble

[admin_exported]

Hi Guys,

Yesterday I cut the speaker end of my QED Silver Anniversary speaker cables (which had splits in it) for my three front speakers, I then trimmed them back and reconnected to the speakers. I then auto calibrated the av receiver and manually configured my original settings (i.e small speakers, 100Hz crossover).

All completed fine, but now when I listen to Sky etc I'm having to turn the volume up significantly higher than I did before.

Anyone any ideas what I could have done or missed and any ideas how to fix it ?

 

[CnoEvil]

FWIW I would get the cables re-terminated - or use it as an excuse to try some different cable

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using bare speaker cable with no plugs or anything into the speakers, so I dont think terminating them is the problem. I do have plugs on the amp side but I haven't touched those.

 

[strapped for cash]

Have you checked the speaker levels since you did the auto calibration? It might simply be a case of the receiver setting the speaker output levels lower than before. How much further are you having to push the volume?

 

[Anonymous]

Have you checked the speaker levels since you did the auto calibration? It might simply be a case of the receiver setting the speaker output levels lower than before. How much further are you having to push the volume?

Probably about 10db higher, but I'm sure the centre was +5db and the left and right with +1 or +2db.

 

[Anonymous]

I've upped the speaker levels to around +5db for L C R speakers and they are getting closer to what they were but I am pretty sure that the left and right speakers weren't that high. I interested to find out what may have happened to cause this.

 

[fayeanddavid]

I've upped the speaker levels to around +5db for L C R speakers and they are getting closer to what they were but I am pretty sure that the left and right speakers weren't that high. I interested to find out what may have happened to cause this.

I would suggest that it really doesn't matter, what matters is that the Auto Calibration is correct for what it is worth.

Best way to check is, of course, with an SPL meter for dB check, and a tape measure for speaker distance...............it is the only way to be 100% sure

If you then see that your volume settings seem to be higher/lower than before then that is a consequence of knowing that it is right

Don't look for a problem they may well not exist especially if you run a manual check/adjust set up

 

[Anonymous]

I've upped the speaker levels to around +5db for L C R speakers and they are getting closer to what they were but I am pretty sure that the left and right speakers weren't that high. I interested to find out what may have happened to cause this.

I would suggest that it really doesn't matter, what matters is that the Auto Calibration is correct for what it is worth.

Best way to check is, of course, with an SPL meter for dB check, and a tape measure for speaker distance...............it is the only way to be 100% sure

If you then see that your volume settings seem to be higher/lower than before then that is a consequence of knowing that it is right

Don't look for a problem they may well not exist especially if you run a manual check/adjust set up

Hi thanks for the reply. Somethings deffinately changed I'm not looking for a problem that doesnt exist. Both myself and wife have noticed the difference in sound level. Unfortunately I dont have an SPL, could you recommend one ?.

The sound quality is still as good as before, its just we need to turn it up alot more than before.

 

[fayeanddavid]

I've upped the speaker levels to around +5db for L C R speakers and they are getting closer to what they were but I am pretty sure that the left and right speakers weren't that high. I interested to find out what may have happened to cause this.

I would suggest that it really doesn't matter, what matters is that the Auto Calibration is correct for what it is worth.

Best way to check is, of course, with an SPL meter for dB check, and a tape measure for speaker distance...............it is the only way to be 100% sure

If you then see that your volume settings seem to be higher/lower than before then that is a consequence of knowing that it is right

Don't look for a problem they may well not exist especially if you run a manual check/adjust set up

Hi thanks for the reply. Somethings deffinately changed I'm not looking for a problem that doesnt exist. Both myself and wife have noticed the difference in sound level. Unfortunately I dont have an SPL, could you recommend one ?.

The sound quality is still as good as before, its just we need to turn it up alot more than before.

You can get SPL meters relatively cheaply on Amazon and co (£20.00 or so)

Do you have a selector on your remote that drops the sound output by xxdB, like a Mute but does not kill the sound, instant turn down for the receiver for taking phone calls etc??

 

[Anonymous]

No not that I know of, its not a drastic sound level drop like that. To listen comfortably I now have to have the volume at -20db -->-25db, where as before -30 -->-35 were adequate.

I'm starting to think that the speaker levels had been raised in my previous config, I know the centre channel was +5db, so thats the only thing I can think to explain it.