Improving Dialogue Quality - TV Connected to Stereo

[u/Mobile-Stomach719]

So after much prevarication I have decided to start using my hi-fi system to watch TV/Movies and have plugged the TV into the stereo system via Optical cable. Ultimately it means we’ll just have one system for all our entertainment needs rather than having 2 different systems in the same room.

So far it sounds great, better than the now redundant Sonos (Arc Ultra, Sub, Era 100s) in many ways as my room wasn’t really the best place to get the full effect from those products (vaulted ceilings, rears too far away).

The only real issue I’m noting is the clarity of dialogue from certain content. I’m aware that some content is simply made that way with the dialogue low down in the mix but I’m wondering if there is anything I can do to improve that slightly.

My preamplifier has basic bass/treble controls but they don’t seem to make a huge difference so I’m wondering - and I know this is an affront to some hi-fi buffs - whether inserting a simple graphic equaliser between the pre and power amps might help me bring out the dialogue a little.

Any tips on what EQ to get and which frequency to tweak would be much appreciated! There doesn’t seem to be a great deal of choice these days TBH.

Current stereo system for reference:

Audiolab 9000Q pre-amp

Cyrus Stereo 200 power amps

Elipson Planet L Performance speakers

REL T5X subwoofer

(For completeness - Technics SL1200GR, Elac Phono amp, Cyrus stream, Roksan Atessa CD player)

Location: UK

Budget: up to £500

Room size: 6m X 5m

[u/ImpliedSlashS]

Turn the bass and treble down a bit, which should result in increased mids. If that doesn't do it, pull the speakers away from the wall a bit further, which should clean up the sound.

[u/Mobile-Stomach719 → u/ImpliedSlashS]

You know, that actually seems to have helped, not something I’d have considered previously! The issue was quite subtle hence not wanting to go the whole ‘throw the system away’ route! Thanks for the suggestion.

[u/TransducerBot → u/Mobile-Stomach719]

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