Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Surround Sound problem

Hello all...I purchased and installed a pair of small, wall-mount speakers for my system, slipped in a DVD of 'Saving Private Ryan' and prepared to duck the shrapnel coming from all sides. Much to my surprise, the only sounds I heard were from my two main (front) speakers. Upon placing my ear very close (inches) to the new rear speakers, I detected an anemic audio output. The DVD is hooked up to a Pro Logic receiver, with properly wired front/rear speaker outputs. I turned the 'rear' volume on the receiver to its highest setting (15 Db). The speaker wire I used is older but intact and run a distance of 20 feet or so. The new speakers are cheap-o's, but I don't think that's the problem. I tried other DVDs with much the same result. The receiver is set to 'surround', and within the DVD audio options I selected '5.1'. Is there a special DVD player-to-receiver connection for proper SurroundSound that I am overlooking? Right now I have two wall mounted speakers that are nothing more than decoration. Help?

Good Afternoon, Jonre:

Before you start scrambling through the setups, let's check the affected amp with another audio source (such as VCR or whatever) to ensure that it is actually functioning.

What it sounds like is a fuse blown in the final drivers. But, before you start tearing off the covers, let's make sure that it isn't a problem with the hook up.

Smokey ;)

Thanks for the reply, Smokey. I've since done some research and discovered that my Pro Logic receiver is old news. I need a Dolby Digital 5.1 receiver to take full advantage of the rear speakers. I'm sure all the components are functioning correctly, they're just outdated and unable to deliver the 5.1 sound I was expecting. Connecting the rears to the rear speaker outputs delivers the weak (un-hearable)ouput I've described; connecting them to the 'B' speaker outputs doesn't work so well - the rears, being positioned closer to the viewer than the main fronts, overpower the fronts to the point where most of what I hear is coming from the small rear units. Until I'm able to spring for the new technology, I'll have to live with what I've got. Thanks again.

Good Morning, Jonre:

Isn't modern technology wonderful? You become obsolete so much faster these days.

I still long for the days with my old Fisher tube amp and the bass reflex speakers back in the 60's. I could rattle windows three blocks away. Put on a Billy Haley and the Comets platter and veg out! Sigh.

Come back and chat with us now and then.

Smokey ;)

You can overcome this by installing a small amp. in the output of the surround sound. The rear, center speakers are actually not meant to be the same volume as the fronts. The rear's etc are for ambient sound, foot steps, voices in the background etc.

Hi Bigmike...I understand that the rear speakers are meant for ambient sounds. I hear nothing at all from them from my seat - it is not until my ear is two inches or so from the rear speakers that I hear anything at all from them. What sort of small amp is required, and how/where does it connect to the receiver? Thanks, Jon

Good Afternoon, Jonre:

Mike is correct is his evaluation of the amplifier. It doesn't have to have a whole lot of power to drive a couple speakers for the surround sound.

You might stop by Radio Shack and look around. They used to sell a mini-stereo system for the impoverished college students that was quite inexpensive and did the job. I wouldn't imagine it ran much over 3 watts a channel but that is more than sufficient for your purpose. And it is a lot cheaper than getting your present amp fixed.

Smokey ;)

No reason to not use those old amps in modern HT setups.
Just get a standalone DD decoder.