Normalizing sound output

Hello all,
I searched and could not find this topic although I know the issue must be out there.
I use my Mac for everything, work, watching TV/movies/video, and listening to music.
I upgraded from a Dell 30" to a 47" monitor, once I attached the new monitor I noticed that the sound didn't seem to be normalized like it was before, this was only really noticeable in video/TV (not saying its fine in music, just notice it in video/TV) . Quiet parts during a movie/show are VERY quiet, you need to turn it up to hear, and loud passages shake the room, I end up turning it WAY down so as not to freak out my neighbors, I end up watching a movie/TV show with the remote in my hand at all times.
I have the regular "line out" going directly to the internal speakers of the monitor (which I use much of the time), and the optical out going to a set of Logitech Z5500s. The issue is with both/either.Its evident much more when using the Logitechs...once an action scene happens and that sub kicks in I can almost see the looks on my neighbors faces!
I have the Perian codecs installed and have it to play soft sounds "loudly" thinking it will "normalize" the sound and have soft passages in a show/movie play in volume more consistent with loud passages, but it doesn't seem to be making much difference.
As I said this is with both/either sound sources so I believe its with the computer itself where the change needs to take place.
Is there a utility/app out there that will address this problem? Is there something that I'm missing, a command line deal?
Any help would be great.
Thanks

Hi Jeff Hoogmoed;
Thanks for your explanation. Dynamic range compression I have heard of but I have never heard it referred to as normalization.
Since I tend to listen to primarily classical music where the huge dynamic range is the heart of the music, I would never even consider using something like that so I can't be much of help with your question. Sorry.
Allan

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