Would adding a separate 3 channel help in this situation

Ah, Erik, that's an excellent suggestion.  I forgot about that.  Looking at manual, the Anthem has a "DYN" button on the remote.  Just hit the DYN button twice, then you can choose between 3 dynamic range settings:

NORMAL: No dynamic range modification.

REDUCED: Allows the quieter parts to be heard more easily by raising the level of quieter sounds and/or reducing the level of louder ones according to cues in the soundtrack.

LATE NIGHT: Further reduces the softest-to-loudest difference

I'm sure you can play with these to determine which one is best for you.


Also, asnumcwrt2 suggested, try bumping up the center channel by 1 db.  You would be amazed at the increased vocal clarity when you do a 1 db or 2 db adjustment on the center channel.  NOTE: this may put the center out of calibration based on keeping it exact as the left/right/surround, but I have seen an increase in understanding dialog when I do this - and it really doesn't detract from any sound balance.

@numcwrt2 - Marantz receivers has the dynamic range compression feature as well.  If you go into the setup menu, it is under Settings => Audio => Surround Paramater => Dynamic Compression.

You should play with the Low / Medium / High settings here.

I know we are not talking exacts here but when I first added a 200w/ch B&K 3-channel amp to run my LCR and let my midlevel Onkyo AVR just drive the surrounds, low level listening improved in very noticeable ways in my 4800ft3 multi-use room. Most improvement was with dialog detail.

Bill

@willland Thanks for that information. I also have a large multi use room. I will talk to my Paradigm dealer about it and see if I can try out the Paradigm 3 channel amp before buying