Voices too quiet, music too loud - and a couple of other Q's

[tenohfive]

I've got a Panasonic TXP42G10 on a wall mount (with no separate speaker/sound system) and recently something which started as a niggle is becoming really irritating. The voices come through too quietly which - when music starts - prompts a scramble for the remote too turn it down, as by contrast the music is too loud. It does this whether going through the Tivo box or streaming through an HTPC. I've had a quick mooch through the TV settings but don't really know what I'm looking for.

Is this something I can do 'in TV' or do I need to look at some sort of speaker setup? If the latter, any 'good budget' options?

Next question - I've had the TXP42G10 for 5 years (paid around £900) but with a much better streaming service am watching a lot more TV. It doesn't do anything badly and I'm still happy with it, but out of idle curiousity - without spending megabucks, would I notice a big difference swapping to a more modern offering? Not fussed about smart TV's as such (in the sense that I have an HTPC that does most of that stuff anyway), more curious in terms of image quality.

[MacW]

I had the same issue with my Panasonic, can't remember the model offhand.

I bought a Panasonic sound bar for about £170, chalk and cheese.

[Abagnale]

Something I've found with my htpc set up too. I've sussed that certain formats such as Blu Ray & some kinds of video file appear to route audio separately on my 5.1 so that music is played through the four surround speakers & voice tracks through the centre.

This gives rise to the problem you describe, although obviously it's not the same set up. I don't have a ready made solution, but I do know that for TV & mainstream video types, things are ok.

[Jez O]

First up I would be looking at the sound presets, like theatre, dynamic, music etc. (or whatever panasonic has) within the audio settings. These tend to change the delivery of the sound and scrolling through them you can hear the difference each setting makes. Any surround sound settings switched on? Try changing those too.

[probedb]

I've no issues like that on a 42GT50. As previously said, you can play with the sound settings. I think I just have bass and treble at max as it sounds more even than any of the presents.

[sparkyhx]

I thought this was just a general TV issue. same here on non Panasonic - sound up and down like a yoyo depending on speech/music - also adverts louder as well.

[TonyRPH]

Adverts are always louder, so you can hear them from the kitchen probably

OP - your TV has a surround menu and (I quote from the manual - page 30):

Surround sound settings

(Off / V-Audio / V-Audio Surround)
V-Audio: Provides a dynamic enhancer of width to simulate improved spatial effects
V-Audio Surround: Provides a dynamic enhancer of width and depth to simulate improved spatial effects

Switching is also possible by the Surround button on the remote control

You could try having a fiddle with those settings (if you haven't already) to see if that improves matters.

Most surround amps have a "DRC" function, which gives you greater control over the dynamic range (the difference between the quietest sound and the loudest sound) - you might find having a surround amp will solve your issue.

Edited by TonyRPH on Wednesday 29th October 13:40

[tenohfive]

I've had a play about. Surround was already off, and it was on speech mode.
Maxing bass and treble does seem to have made a small improvement but it's still quite noticeable.

How much would I be looking for a reasonable (but budget) surround amp?

[sprouting]

I've just picked the first on the list, but Richer sounds always have a good selection.

http://www.richersounds.com/showclearanceproduct/S...

[anonymous-user]

What is it with modern TV's, I have a Sony 46W905 and the audio volume is all over the place, one minute you can't hear people talking, next minute getting your ears blasted.

I am forever fiddling with the volume and it ruins pretty much anything I try and watch. The picture is spot on but the audio is a complete PITA. I really like everything else about the telly but the audio is shockingly bad.

Any solutions apart from mute and subtitles appreciated.

[TonyRPH]

In my experience it's not the TV that's at fault, it's the broadcaster's inability to maintain a consistent audio level across content.

[tenohfive]

Then it's consistent across terrestrial broadcasting and streaming, and I agree - it's irritating. I think in the new year I'm going to bite the bullet and get a surround amp.

In the meantime is there anything I can do 'in PC' with the settings to make it a bit less noticeable when streaming over the HTPC?

[crankedup]

Our tele is ancient by modern day standards being around six years old. We find , as others, music and dialogue seem to be from two different planets, extremely annoying.

Reading in one of the weekend supplements Arcam have come to the rescue with its all new soundbar that promises to fix this issue. The review rates it quite highly as a product and I will certainly be going along for a demo' at some point. Drawback is price at 800 quid it seems toppy, if you want to add a 300w bass box that's an additional 500 quid. As the review mentions 'raise the volume to quickly and you can basically demolish your house'.

Point is that now one relevant manufacturer has brought a product onto the market that resolves the problem of unbalanced sound, we can expect others to now follow.

[TonyRPH]

A consistent sound level is easily achieved with a compressor or DRC (Dynamic range compression) something I mentioned in an earlier post.

They are used extensively in studios - and are also known as a 'Limiter'.

Sadly, most devices available on the market cost twice as much as a decent home cinema amp / receiver with DRC built in!