It seems my Panasonic HTIB system doesn't have near the volume it used to. It's volume range reads from -70db to 0db. It is about 6 years old and when it was new I typically listened to TV and movies around -32. Today it needs to be around -18 to -12 for everyday viewing of the news, movies, etc.

Is it possible it's power is weaker than it once was or am I just going crazy?

Thanks.

 

Has it always been in the same location, or did you move and install it in a different size/shape room?

 

It is in a larger room than it has been in the past but the apartment I was in when I purchased it 6 years ago is roughly the same size as the place i'm in now.

 

Consider the source first. For example although most people never adjust it... on purpose.. but the cable/sat box has volume on it you might want to check. It may be lower than what it once was.

Is the lower level(-18) the same on dvd player also? The larger room is part of the explanation.

 

The cable box is maxed out.

And the HTIB has a 5-disc DVD as a part of the system.

 

Eeeekks.. Is the new room more open also? My guess is that the receiver is just underpowered for the new room.

You could also check the settings to make sure the Front Center Right speaker levels weren't changed. You might want to increase some of them if possible and if needed. Newer systems have a very nice feature which is auto calibration.

 

Damnit just tell me it's broken so I can justify buying a new one!

 

**coughcough**


You'll have to ship that one to me in order to verify it's broken.. I'll PM you my address


The auto cal feature really is nice. Anytime you move things or put them in a new room you can go into the auto cal and run it. You put the mic where you want the sound directed to and it tells you the exact distances etc and makes the proper adjustments.

 

My cable company has lowered its audio levels recently -- I used to have to have the volume at about -26 for cable, now I put it around -15 (same level as I use for BluRay).

 

I can adjust my "seat position" I have it set on the O due to the furniture layout which should adjust the center speaker as high as the adjustments allow.

 

What company? And was there any reasoning behind it?

 

Did I mention your system is teh broked? Replace it.. Send old one to me....

 

Wideopenwest. Don't know if a reason was given -- I've just noticed it. I prefer the levels to not be so hot so when the ads come on they're not clipping.

 

Hrrmmm... That could be a reason too. I've never had Cox Cable before. And my DVD player and XBOX are louder than the cable broadcast.

 

 

I guess I'll just deal with it for another year until we buy a place. Then I'll install teh boom!

 

Any Cox/Timewarner/Brighthouse/Cable company box from them have a setting on the box for audio. Press the settings button, more settings, and then go to audio. There will be an option for output with the choices of Narrow, Wide or Auto. Pick Narrow and it'll sound a bit louder.

 

^Woah that made a very noticeable difference! Thanks!

 

I just remembered (while checking my Wide/Normal/Narrow setting) that I changed up my system a little bit and switched the audio from running through the digital out to running through the HDMI. That is a more likely explanation for the audio level change.

I'm set on Normal BTW.

 

I'm also running audio out through HDMI.