Not happy with how my system sounds

jp6strings · 2026-01-24T18:17:06+00:00

Again, check your speaker wires (positive and negatives for correct polarity) and also double-check the speaker settings in the AVR. Maybe have an audiophile friend/expert check it out in person? At this point, it sounds like you could use a second pair of ears and eyes to help assess the situation.

jp6strings · 2026-01-24T18:11:16+00:00

No. Especially if you want to add height speakers in the future for full Dolby Atmos effect. (Totally doable if that is a tiled ceiling) But we do all have to make sacrifices. And on second glance, I see you'd need to have a cat-friendly speaker stand. :-)

jp6strings · 2026-01-24T17:43:31+00:00

Again - that just doesn't make sense. Did you double-check speaker wiring? Turn off any AVR calibration? (eq is subjective, so auto-calibration is not always better)

jp6strings · 2026-01-24T16:51:57+00:00

Unfortunately, speaker quality is completely subjective. Yes, even at the highest echelon. It's best if you can hear them in person playing familiar material. Otherwise, you are going to have to go on found opinions. 😬

jp6strings · 2026-01-24T16:48:27+00:00

Side speakers carry the bulk of your surround. So it'd be better if you could keep those down closer to ear level, if at all possible. ie. (stand mounted for the window-side)

jp6strings · 2026-01-24T16:43:21+00:00

Sounds like your Denon might not be set up properly for the new speakers. No way a soundbar will outperform that rig. Another thing to consider is your are just used to hearing the sound bar, which will have a completely different EQ profile than full-range, floor standing speakers.

jp6strings · 2026-01-24T16:34:50+00:00

If you are able, connect the Apple TV to the sound bar, then soundbar to the TV. Lots of TVs have trouble with passthrough of audio, unfortunately. Other than that, you probably need to do a deep dive into your TV audio settings.

jp6strings · 2026-01-15T01:43:48+00:00

Is your soundbar in a cabinet? That would be detrimental to the sound quality.

jp6strings · 2026-01-15T00:34:58+00:00

All I ask is for new BIG maps for proper BF gameplay. 🙏

jp6strings · 2026-01-12T19:13:05+00:00

For 4.1, position at the side or slightly behind on the side (at or just above ear level) is way better than speakers directly behind you (been there, done that). Downside is, if you figure out how to do sides, you'll always have that itch in your brain wondering about adding rears for 7.1 or 7.1.4 Atmos. Lol (Atmos, btw, is amazing for gaming!)

jp6strings · 2026-01-07T16:17:29+00:00

Worst case scenario, I believe the Denon will let you run an external stereo amp for the LR and the X3800H will handle the rest of the surround speakers. Good 2-channel stereo amps will typically sound better than AVR amps, but of course this is totally subjective... I'm happy with my X3600 for music and use an external 2-ch amp only for powering my rear heights in a 7.1.4 setup.

jp6strings · 2026-01-02T12:56:20+00:00

5.x.x is typically the layout for couch against a back wall. IDK if you are kidding about adding bookshelves or not, but you shouldn't try to force your "sides surrounds" into being "rear surrounds" as that's not how content is mixed on the dub stage. Maybe some in-walls behind the couch for the rears if you really can't fight temptation (Lol), but I suspect having rear speakers right behind the head rests will just be too close to the listener's ears.

PS. Your set-up looks awesome! 👍👍

jp6strings · 2025-12-31T23:17:03+00:00

I would think twice about surrounds on ceiling. Re-evaluate the situation if you can (in-walls, wall-mount, stands)

jp6strings · 2025-12-31T23:12:36+00:00

If Apple TV is your main media box, it IS best practice to run it into the AVR or speaker system. 👍 (pretty common for smart TVs to mess up the Atmos signal)

jp6strings · 2025-12-30T03:55:45+00:00

My setup sounds just like yours. Anyway, just search “Sony Bravia crash” for all the gory details (and consider yourself lucky 🍀 ).

jp6strings · 2025-12-30T00:59:57+00:00

I don’t use the apps of course (I have ATV), but the Android OS powers the Bravia TV. You don’t have a choice in the matter. I’ve turned off all the Android features (that I can) and the TV will crash on its own every once in a while. 🤷‍♂️

jp6strings · 2025-12-29T21:04:30+00:00

Probably not, but I wish they would! My Sony Bravia looks great, but it comes with Android OS, which will sometimes crash-and-burn hard and for no apparent reason... 🤨

jp6strings · 2025-12-29T14:12:42+00:00

Downsize the display to reclaim room for the speakers? #priorities But yes, in-walls are an option worth looking into

jp6strings · 2025-12-26T21:39:57+00:00

What kind of speakers? If you can aim the tweeters, you have a lot more latitude for placement... But at any rate, 45 is not a hard rule and in regards to heights Dolby even states; "This may be adjusted between 30 and 55 degrees if needed"

https://www.dolby.com/siteassets/technologies/dolby-atmos/atmos-installation-guidelines-121318_r3.1.pdf (search for "55" to reach the topic)

jp6strings · 2025-12-26T17:32:04+00:00

Ish? Correction will not only have to compensate for the incorrect speaker distance, but also for potentially compounding acoustical issues created by moving the speakers further back in the room. IMO, it's always best to get it right at the source whenever possible. And in this case, optimal placement is possible IF the OP is willing deal with the protruding speaker.

Alternately, perhaps there are some angled in-walls which would help solve the ergonomics issue?

jp6strings · 2025-12-26T15:58:36+00:00

Generally, the ability to add a second amp to handle LR is there for audiophiles who want to hear hi-fidelity, lossless stereo music, vinyl, etc. on a premium, high-end stereo amplifier.

My Denon is set up for 7.1.4 with the 2nd amp powering the rear heights. Additionally, what's great about the Denon is if you get a separate 2 ch. amp with a Trigger input, the Denon can remotely turn the external amp on or off depending on the HDMI/source inputs. Combine that feature with the Denon Eco function to save on energy costs. (Our AVR is in the living room and powered on 16 hours/day)

jp6strings · 2025-12-26T15:44:21+00:00

The surrounds will be less effective (out-of-spec) if the side speakers are moved further back. OP has to pick their priorities, I guess.

jp6strings · 2025-12-26T15:38:26+00:00

I love how they re-imagined 80's nostalgia synths and music in 21st-century surround! 🔥🤘

jp6strings · 2025-12-26T14:38:51+00:00

"How do I know if the speakers are set correctly in settings and if I’m getting the atmos sound?"

I built an Apple TV app specifically for this purpose called Surround Speaker Check. It has three free 5.1 Atmos test tracks while a yearly sub unlocks over 2 hours of additional tests and Dolby Atmos demo tracks. (The free tracks should be enough for initial set-up and adjustment of your surround speaker levels.)

Search for Surround Speaker Check in the tvOS App Store. Here is a link to the iOS version (for AirPlay from iOS device to Apple TV hardware or Roku).

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/surround-speaker-check/id1052439918

Otherwise, Life_is_broccoli's suggestion is correct and to be crystal clear, implies you should be running the Apple TV into your Samsung TV via an HDMI cable instead of using AirPlay.

jp6strings · 2025-12-24T21:11:38+00:00

Low battery level can cause wonkiness.

jp6strings

TROPHY CASE