Stereo question
 

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-81TXV receiver powering a 5.1 setup in my main room with Speaker B hooked up to my deck speakers. No matter how I setup the receiver, the volume level outside is always substantially lower than inside. Comfortable levels outside blow you away inside. Any ideas? Even if I select speaker B only, the volume is very low.

Check the impedence of those speakers vs your mains. How are they wired?

Two possibilities:

1. Speaker B is of lower sensitivity (say 86db/watt) than the inside speakers (say 91db/watt).

2. If your reciever is in surround mode, the information going to the rear channel is ambiance, rather than the primary signal. It should be much quieter.

All are 8 ohms. Polk Atrium 55's outside with a Mirage Nanostat Prestige setup for the main. Exteriors are wired as speaker B using possibly smaller guage wire for about 50' 18g vs 16g inside.

If it is hooked up through speaker B, not surround channels, it should be receiving the same signal. Sensitivity would make some difference but most likely not the differential he describes.

The other thing to check is whether you are running a surround signal to the deck speakers. Make sure you select 2-channel stereo, not 5.1, when running the deck (cuz you are missing 3 or 4 channels of info - your center channel would be 'loudest').

Also, make sure you have your deck speakers as 'main' rather than 'rear' on your 'B' speaker outputs.

I assume you've swapped the A/B leads on the back of the receiver? This will tell you if it's the receiver or the speakers/wiring.

It's also worth noting that perceived volume outdoors is always lower than indoors.

Maybe cycle through all the setup options on your pioneer and see if it changes. like, "5 CH STEREO" or something.

+! on swapping the A/B leads and making sure it's a receiver issue, though.