976 Setup Audio

Ok I have had the 976 for about 6 months now. I had a home remodel and reinstalled my equipment a few months back. My audio volume is way off. I have to turn the volume knob way up in order to get loud audio. What have I done wrong?

I am thinking it is the HDMI cables.

Make sure you're hearing sound from all the speakers, especially the center channel if you're talking about movie sound. I wouldn't think it's the HDMI cables. If you're getting picture and sound, the cables/connections should be good.

Put it in all stereo mode and try the radio source which eliminates external connections. if the sound improves check the amp and its connections. If not check the audio settings.

I removed my XLR cables and that resolved the issue.

So, you had both XLR and RCA cables hooked up at the same time? and this lead to the low volume?

I am having a similar issue with MAX volume. Not sure if it is the source or 976 setup. The volume is lower from a DVR DirecTV table top box. Also different volumes playing cd's. There is 0 headroom using outlaw 976>7000x, 4k DirecTV and Sony X800M2 player..
Does different sources and/or formats have any effect on MAX volume?

Yes various sources can affect max volume because different components output different source signals to your 976. Make sure you are using high quality interconnects which should have very low signal loss.

Thanks X for that...the interconnects are XLR Monoprice. Still, just on the edge of my perfect volume @ max volume...
It was stated previously, switching to RCA interconnects has better volume. The manual indicates it is available to mix the connects.
If the interconnects are mixed, would there be a different volume level with each connection?

Agree that volume from different source devices are not the same, however is the media (cd-dvd-DirecTV) disregarding the specific mix?

DirecTV is the main concern. For lack of a better word DirecTV is the most "clumsy" service ever.
4K Concerts or musical presentations are the most suspect for low volume. What could cause this?

In past processor specs the XLR connectors had a 6db advantage vice the RCA connectors. I would steer away from mixing them since you want them all to be the same so the response form the volume control is consistent. If you go back into the 976 threads especially the earlier ones you will see that the low volume issue has been identified and is not a problem.

"low volume issue has been identified and is not a problem." I believe that the problem is with Directv.
976 threads with search of 976 LOW VOLUME I get 100 or so generic subjects that do not get to my specific
issue. Is it possible that you can direct me to a thread that does? I also noticed that you use DirecTV. Have you observed this low volume issue?

It's most probably not a hardware issue. TV channels that are broadcast in Dolby Digital are using a VERY low volume, for some reasons. I have not measured it, but their audio must not go any higher than -14dBfs. So that will be way lower than CDs, DVDs, BDs, mp3, most anything else digital that you are feeding into your pre-pro.

My system is calibrated so movies are at reference level when my 976 main volume is at -10dB, which is arguably very loud! Even at that, I have 10 more dB of available gain if needed. But when watching something like the Superbowl mid-game show, the volume is way lower than movies or concerts on discs, and is too low for my liking, even with the 976 main volume maxed out at 0dB.

I can't for the life of me understand why the broadcasters are keeping that much unused headroom in their feed.

"My system is calibrated so movies are at reference level when my 976 main volume is at -10dB"
Im not sure exactly what your referring to here. Can you please elaborate ?

My Directv does not feed into a 976 but has no issue providing plenty of ooomph when needed. When I was referring to interconnect earlier I was also looking at the connects between your sources and the 976 inputs. Just as a test see if using the volume know gets more response than the remote.

The connects from source (DirecTv/ubp-x800m2) are HDMI .5M Monoprice.
976 volume knob goes to max and doesn't make any difference.

Loui, movies are produced at a certain loudness in the mixing studio and then put on a disc/streaming feed at that level. In turn, if a home theater is properly calibrated, the movie will replay at the very same level as it was produced. The actual level you are hearing at your seating depends on several factors, among others : Distance from the speakers, sensitivity of the speaker, amplifier gain, gain settings in the pre-pro and obviously the position of the volume knob! Since that one is constantly used and varied, you must establish a position for the knob at which your system will be at the same loudness as the studio and remember that setting for futur recall. If this is of any importance to you, that is!

We have adjustable gain parameters in the pre-pro and sometime on the amps themselve, so one may "decide" where he wants the volume position to be at the calibrated level.

I decided I wanted the main volume position to be at -10dB, so I used the gain trimmers on my amps to adjust the channels gain so the reference tone is at the correct level as measured in room at listening position. A Dolby compliant room should be able to reproduce the highest peaks at 105 dB SPL as measured at the listening position. The internally generated test tone is 30dB lower than that, so you adjust the actual sound in room to 75 dB SPL. As a side note, reference level is usually pretty loud, some people prefer to watch movie at a somewhat lower level than that.

This is pretty basic home theater audio stuff. You may find more detailed information, explained better too, on this topic, on the web!

My usual issue with volume in my movie room is one of too much. I have efficient speakers powered by a powerful amp in a room that is a tad small. I used my RadioShack meter to set the individual speaker gains to 75db with my volume indicating -16 db. When I watch a movie I adjust the volume to around -16db indicated. For the most part that is extremely loud for action movies and loud enough for my old ears for dramas with lots of dialog. You should get a SPL meter to determine the actual sound pressure in your room. RadioShack makes a cheap version and there are also Apps for your phone which can be used. Bear in mind that the accuracy may not be absolute but it is a relative measurement.

Thanks X, I added an Elac 3030 sub. Is there anyway to shut this sucker off?
The only way is through an app using my iPhone. There is a auto off/on that has a slider from 1mv-10mv auto/on threshold. I tried 1mv(default), 5mv and 10mv with no change. I presume that setting is for on only?
There is a blue light labeled as "POWER". Not sure if this light only tells me that power exists. The light has no change when I power down the 976. The app gives me no instructions and Elac refers me to the app. GO FIGURE.

Subs can stay in a powered status but not necessarily ready to rock until they sense a signal from the processor.

I am having an on going problem. When I switch channels to and from a standard HD channel to a 4K channel I'm receiving a sharp crackling noise. The noise is more of a popping noise that moves through all the speakers when switching from a 4K to a standard HD channel. I am currently being advised that this is upstream issue with DirecTV. If I patch to COAX this problem goes away. This problem only occurs when patched with HDMI. I have had DirecTv on site three times and both server and client boxes replaced three times. No Change.
X do you have anything that might help with a resolution? Thanks

Have you tried a different HDMI cable. Specifically one that is designed for 4K. The issue sounds suspiciously like a handshake problem of some sort. Also check the CEC settings on the 976 to make sure it is not messing with your setup somehow. The CEC can allow any HDMI equipment connected to the 976 to be controlled by the 976 internally and maybe it is affecting the DTV box somehow.

Try a new HDMI cable and turn off the CEC setting in the 976