If you go into the Audio Output settings on the Hopper, if you haven't already, turn off Volume Leveling and toggle the Range from Narrow to Wide
Sorry, I lost track of this thread. Thank you, I have been aware of those settings since they first showed up on the DISH STBs and have them set as you suggest. It was the first thing I checked with the Tech that did the Dual H3 install standing there so he could experience the difference. When it happened with him standing there, he said he didn't know what to say, but that he'd report it.
There is a distinct volume difference especially when you switch to Netflix, Youtube, VOD, SD channels and other devices that we have attached to our AVRs or Soundbars connected via HDMI, Optical or Analog. If you forget to turn down the volume before, you get blasted. If you have had the sound turned down, you have to turn it up to hear comfortably. HD channels are and have been lower in volume on both our H3's, our H2's, 722's, etc . . . This is not the first time I have mentioned this in the forums or to a DISH Rep or Tech. We have noticed this for years.
After this thread started I went into my AVR, looked at the settings for the center channel and in changing them noticed a distinct difference in clarity as was originally pointed out. I found that these setting that "clear up" the center channel are exclusive to the input that the H3 is connected to and needs to be changed on any other input the H3 is moved to.
I have neighbors that I just moved over to DISH from DTV and in addition to getting use to the "culture change" they are also noticing that they are having to adjust the volume more. They have an H3 and a Joey.