Muted voices with Dolby EX

[kny]

Hello, I've got a problem with my Hsu system I am unable to figure out. I've got a VT-12, STF-2 and Onkyo 502 in a very standard setup. The wiring is all correct as testtones indicate all speakers receive signal. I've got all speakers set to small and sub crossover at 80khz.

When I listen to a Dolby source the sound is absolutely incredible, unless it's the speaking voices. The voices are so muted as to be virtually incomprehensible. This problem is severe enough to the point that I am forced to watch in Stereo mode or using the TVs speakers, which kind of defeats the purpose of my awesome Hsu system.

I suspect the problem is with my front center speaker. If I go to the Speaker Setup and crank up the level of that speaker to the max it helps the problem but only marginally. The testtone feature indicates a signal does get to that channel, but it seems slightly softer than the other satellite speakers, which seems wrong as this is the front center speaker which is larger than the other satellites and I would expect to get more output than the other satellites, correct? Non surround sound listening modes sound fine, at least to my ear.

Any ideas what the source of this could be? Everything is new (including receiver) so I find it difficult to believe it's a hardware problem. The other Dolby sound effects are so incredible that it's just taunting me that I have this great system but with one major flaw.

Please help!!!!
-Kyle

[Dudley]

Did you measure the output from each speaker when you calibrated the system, or did you do it by ear? It sounds like something is wrong, but it will help to know how much you have to turn up the center to get the same volume as the other speakers.

You could have a defective center channel - maybe the center driver is out. Take off the cover and see if sound is coming from all 3 of the drivers for the center channel. Also check to see that all speaker wire connections are tight.

Some temporary fixes. Turning on your DVD players dialogue enhancer could help? Have you tried turning on late night mode on high - this will reduce the volume of the loudest passeges and may make voices easier to hear.

[Retread]

When I listen to a Dolby source the sound is absolutely incredible, unless it's the speaking voices. The voices are so muted as to be virtually incomprehensible. This problem is severe enough to the point that I am forced to watch in Stereo mode or using the TVs speakers, which kind of defeats the purpose of my awesome Hsu system.

I had a problem that sounds similar. The small driver's coil in my center speaker had opened. Zero sound from that driver. Hsu replaced the driver, and I installed it in minutes. Problem fixed.

Put your ear right against the small speaker and determine if sound is coming out of it.

[kny]

Yup, I am getting no output from the center driver. I'll contact Hsu. Thanks for the assistance.