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Drums through my speakers don't sound like drums

S

super128

New Member
When I play music through my HTS, drums don't sound right. They sound like they have pillows strapped over them. How do I fix this?

I have an Onkyo HT-S5600 using the included speakers, and a sub. The CD Player I use is a PlayStation without the direct AV out ports (Edit: I am now using a Sony BDP-S5200 Blu-Ray Player) and I'm having this problem with my Beatles CDs (the 2009 remasters). They sound fine with my earbuds.
 
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Details... if you want a good answer, please provide the very basic of information such as make and model... . Do you have a sub, etc.

Take care,

Rob
 
That they sound fine with your ear buds says that your electronics are doing what they're supposed to do. Get better/other speakers.

There is a possibility that your current speakers are not set up and/or placed correctly.
The acoustics in your room may also be partially responsible.

It never hurts to fix your room acoustics regardless of what kind of speakers you have.

If you are using the speakers that came with your HT "system" that's probably were your problem lies. "HT systems" and especially the supplied speakers are known for having "Lo-Fi" sound.
 
Saying it's the speakers is like saying the reason your Yugo doesn't handle like a Lamborghini is because of the tires.

Changing the speakers might help slightly, but if the systems amplifier isn't up to the task better speakers might actually sound worse.
 
Thanks everyone, but I just bought this HTS and I don't have the money or patience to buy new speakers. I might try to fix the room acoustics like Joe suggested.

I'm still open to suggestions in case this doesn't work.
 
This is a HTS (home theater system) as you said, not something designed for dedicated music playback. If a system is set up for accurate music reproduction it often doesn't excite the home theater crowd enough, they want exaggerated explosions, bullets whizzing by, etc etc. Overblown bass is the norm for HTS, but this can be excused as we don't have a reference on how a certain bomb is supposed to sound. But the same isn't true of musical instruments as you've found out. This is one of the main reasons you see so many here purchasing vintage gear that was designed when music was paramount, not bombs exploding on TV.
 
Play with the low pass crossover setting for your sub in your processor. Put your sub on the floor in a corner and your satellites closer to the wall and that is about all you can do.

Remember, in most cases, you get what you pay for...
 
Yes, it is a HT rig, but it does have a sub and some smaller outboard units.
I'd have to think the receiver itself is pretty decent though the speakers may be lacking.
Speaker placement issues may be at hand as well.
AND, is it possible the recording is at fault?
No one has mentioned that.
 
goodolpg said:
Yes, it is a HT rig, but it does have a sub and some smaller outboard units.
I'd have to think the receiver itself is pretty decent though the speakers may be lacking.
Speaker placement issues may be at hand as well.
AND, is it possible the recording is at fault?
No one has mentioned that.
Click to expand...

It is quite unlikely that it is the recording. All the Beatles songs have been heard by millions with all kinds of systems. The speakers are probably the cause. Peace and goodwill.
 
Yes, it is very possible that the recording(s) is/are at least part of the problem.

Really well-recorded drums are actually hard to find in pop/rock (much easier in jazz recordings), IMO/IME.

One fairly easy to find rock (esque) recording of great sounding drums (and a great performance, to boot) is one that Frank Zappa made (in quad!) of Terry Bozzio called Hands With a Hammer. It may be found on Zappa's You Can't Do that Onstage Anymore. Vol. 3 and also on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEfWQ8vbF8Q

Drums/percussion are hard to record and also hard to reproduce. To make a drum kit sound "real" requires broad frequency response, high linearity,low distortion, and outstanding transient response. I like to say that well reproduced percussion (drums, in particular) require both "boom" and "thwack". The boom (low frequency extension and harmonic accuracy) is only part of it. The "thwack", that percussive aspect of hitting the drum with (whatever it's being hit with!) has rich harmonic content and requires excellent transient response and phase linearity. At least, that's what I think ;-)
 
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Kingshead said:
This is a HTS (home theater system) as you said, not something designed for dedicated music playback. If a system is set up for accurate music reproduction it often doesn't excite the home theater crowd enough, they want exaggerated explosions, bullets whizzing by, etc etc. Overblown bass is the norm for HTS, but this can be excused as we don't have a reference on how a certain bomb is supposed to sound. But the same isn't true of musical instruments as you've found out. This is one of the main reasons you see so many here purchasing vintage gear that was designed when music was paramount, not bombs exploding on TV.
Click to expand...

That pretty much explains it. My HTS sounds great for movies, TV, and gaming, just not music.

I'll probably just build a stereo for listening to music sometime in the future.
 
Your woofers may not be able to hit really fast and hard -
if its a design problem due to speaker budget, or power budget, you may not be able to get around that limitation.

I just looked it up and its a $500 HT in a box - 7.1 sound even, so don't expect much.

Its probably a great starter system - be patient - now you know to save up for something better!

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S5600-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B00BLGUKFC/
 
Not to insult your intelligence, but are you sure all the speakers and sub are connected in proper phase? Red to red and black to black. If any of them are out of phase it will mess with the low frequencies first.
 
Get a used 2 channel system like the Denon UD-M30 (the best mini system in the price range) for around $150, or get a nice 2.0 computer speakers like M-Audio AV-40 for about $100, and you will hear a difference.

They are designed for music, and they are about the best in the price range, so your ears will be able to tell them apart...

Your HT is for movies, so enjoy them for what they are... unless you can return them.

I just have 2 speakers for HT. because music is more important for me...
 
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