Re: Speakers for first HT - Focus on dialogue at lower volume
Originally Posted by
edm14
I have some recent hearing loss and my first pair of hearing aids. Usage is primarily for TV and movies. Very little music. My main goal is clear dialogue at lower volumes.
The center channel carries the vast majority of dialog. If what you want is clearer, crisper dialog I recommend that you spend more money on the center speaker than on the L/R pair. And a center designed as a center is probably your best bet.
Then, you'll probably want an AVR that does reasonably good room calibration. Systems like YPAO (Yamaha) and Audyssey for (Denon, etc.). One of the more useful tools these systems provide is a "dynamic volume" control that acts like a continuously variable "loudness compensation" when you turn it on. That is, it applies the Robinson-Dadson curves to the volume level you set so that what you hear is pretty flat no matter where you set the master volume level. This will help your goal of "clear dialog at lower volumes". That said, purists and audiophiles tend to really hate things like dynamic volume. But it's not made for them, it is made for people like you.
On top of that, you should look to be sure that your AVR will let you set the center channel relative levels (relative to your L/R pair for example) independently after room calibration. So if the dialog levels aren't sufficient for you, you can turn them up a few dB. This is surprisingly effective for many people, without effecting the overall balance too much for the other people watching the movie.
I know you can get all this from the Denons (the one in my HT room has them all). Don't know about Yamaha since I've never owned one. But I'm sure all the AVR brands have more or less the same features at the same price points. Because they have to if they want to survive in the marketplace.
First step though is a good center channel speaker. You might want to give a good look at the Ascend Acoustics Duo. Probably more than you want to spend, but if you want cleaner crisper dialog, the Duo punches way above it's weight class. I know I'm not letting mine go any time soon. My wife likes it too much.
"If it sounds good, it is good." -- Duke Ellington