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Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

Last post 02-04-2007 3:32 PM by justalistener. 6 replies.
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  • 02-04-2007 2:03 AM

    Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

    I just got a subwoofer (Synergy Sub-10) to hook up to my Denon AVR-610, bought in 1992. This is the first I've gotten around to adding the subwoofer to the system. The receiver has a Pre-out mono jack that supposedly is to be used for a subwoofer. I've connected that jack to the Left/LFE connection on the sub and don't get any sound other than a mild hum when I play with the gain. I've tried various other combos for connections after reading this forum and have tried another cable, but no results. Any ideas? Thanks
     

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  • 02-04-2007 9:07 AM In reply to

    Re: Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

    Try using the high-level inputs from your speakers for now.
    Klipschorn Jubilees are in the House of Klipsch

    operating 'The House of Klipsch' since 2003, currently liquidating unused Klipsch product

  • 02-04-2007 11:51 AM In reply to

    Re: Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

    Nothing. Not impressed - and a little frustrated....:(.

    There should be no reason I can't get a sub to work with my Denon AVR-610 receiver, right?

    I've read on this forum about dead subs bought at Best Buy on black Friday. What's the deal with that? I bought this at BB just the other day, but it was a returned, open-box item, supposedly inspected. Was that a bad buy?

     Thanks
     

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  • 02-04-2007 12:36 PM In reply to

    Re: Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

    I can understand your frustration, but give us a break too, as I'm alittle frustrated by your assumptions and the fact that you want us to make lots of guesses as well.

    So I guess you are assuming that the Denon pre-out is supposed to drive the sub (it may or may not- I am just not familiar with this approach- and I would suspect that it might present a strange load to the unit). And you are also assuming that it is working properly. You may be certain of this, I am not.

    And now because we can't simply guess what the issue might be (heck, the symptom even sounds like it could be a bad cable!) you are now upset with the speaker and jump to the conclusion that is a bad sub, etc. And it may be exactly that. I have no way of determining this off hand from the information given.

    Does the sub work using a regular speaker out?? How about determining if a known good source works? Verify the cable by substituting it for a similar known good cable (of the same type) to eliminate it as a potential source of problems. Do you have another powered speaker, or an amp that you could use the pre-out of the Denon as a source source in order to verify the pre-out's proper functioning? There are many steps to verify individual component functionality and to break the signal chain down into simple functional blocks. In this way you can isolate individual components instead of presenting us with a complex system and saying "OK, what is wrong?" 

    So if you are willing to move step by step and to more atomistically isolate and verify a few components, I suspect that a few here can certainly help with a few suggestions that might help resolve the issue, be it a connection issue or a malfunctioning component.. 

    If the product was a return, one should probably verify its function before leaving the store, as you should wonder just why it was returned. And if someone did do something to it they are probably not going to tell the store. And I have no idea how BB checks anything, as I personally am not impressed with them as a retailer. But that is just my opinion based upon my experience... And I am pretty sure that others have differing opinions. And it probably varies to a degree from store to store.

    So we have lots of variables. And I know that Mike (Colter; above) is almost too willing to do whatever it takes to help you! It won't be the first time he has done so! Klipsch is lucky to have him on their team. Give him and us a chance! But that being said, I can understand your frustration! I know I would want it up and running before I even had it out of the box!

    If I was to write that my truck doesn't work despite the fact that I put gas in it and the radio plays, can you accurately diagnose the problem? Wink

     

    Nobody gets in to see the Wizard.
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    Groucho: Oh, that? Oh, that's the usual clause. That's in every contract. That just says uh, it says uh, "If any of the parties participating in this contract is shown not to be in their right mind, the entire agreement is automatically nullified."
    Chico: Well, I don't know...
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  • 02-04-2007 2:12 PM In reply to

    Re: Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

    Hey, I didn't mean to suggest frustration toward you or the info I've found on this forum! I'm grateful for your help and have learned a lot reading through the forum information - sorry if I offended! My frustration was more general than that - I usually can figure this sort of thing out.

    I currently have the main speaker-out on my receiver going to the subwoofer, then out to my speakers, as suggested by the first person who replied to me (high level connections). If I understand correctly, this bypasses the the pre-out and should work even if the pre-out on the receiver is faulty? I have the sub plugged in and the power is on. I have played with the gain and lowpass a bit and get no hint of anything coming through the subwoofer. I hear/feel a little something when I am directly changing the gain, otherwise nothing. I have tried various types of music that I know would have plenty of low-frequency output. I have looked for information about whether I need to change some setting on my receiver and can't find anything. I don't have another receiver to test the subwoofer on.  

    As for the original connection I tried, you're absolutely right - I don't know for sure if the pre-out on my receiver works and I don't have another amp to test it on. The Denon owner's manual lists it as the place "For connecting a super woofer with built-in amplifier" (this is how the Denon literature puts it). I tried a brand new subwoofer cable from BB and later an RCA cable as suggested elsewhere in this forum.


    Is there something fundamental I don't know about subwoofer connections? (I certainly suspect the answer to this is 'yes') With the high level connection as I now have it set up, how does it differ from main speaker set-ups?

     Thanks
     

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  • 02-04-2007 2:29 PM In reply to

    Re: Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

    No offense taken! I was just worried that you were becoming overly frustrated with us...and sometimes its 'alittle' justified...OK, I'm speaking for myself here! Stick out tongue

    But as I mentioned, I can see why you would be frustrated in general over not having the darn thing work! I know I would be!

    As you have swapped cables and you are using the main outs that successfully power 'regular' (a highly technical term - I hope I haven't lost anyone! Geeked) speakers, it points to a functional receiver- and thus tends to point to a problem with the sub.

    I will plead ignorance regarding the connections and switching on the sub itself, so I will defer to anyone with more knowledge of this. There may be an issue here. But if this is not the case, it sounds like you need to return the unit to BB and have them verify its functionality - and if they do manage to get it to work, please note their settings on the sub's controls. But I am tending to agree with you that it is looking more like the sub, given the additional info you have provided.

    Thus, the easiest quickest solution may be to make a trip back to the store. Crying  {And I try to avoid sending anyone there if I can avoid it! Wink )

    In the meantime maybe someone else more knowledgeable with the specific sub amplifier interface may be able to help you. 

    Keep us posted.  As we all learn along with you and maybe the next guy will be able to benefit from your hassle.

    Good luck! 

     

    Nobody gets in to see the Wizard.
    Not Nobody. Not No How.

    The Law of Conservation of Ignorance: A false conclusion once arrived at & widely accepted is not easily dislodged, & the less it is understood the more tenaciously it is held.

    Scarecrow: I haven't got a brain... only straw.
    Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven't got a brain?
    Scarecrow: I don't know... But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking... don't they?

    Chico: Hey, wait, wait. What does this say here? This thing here.
    Groucho: Oh, that? Oh, that's the usual clause. That's in every contract. That just says uh, it says uh, "If any of the parties participating in this contract is shown not to be in their right mind, the entire agreement is automatically nullified."
    Chico: Well, I don't know...
    Groucho: It's all right, that's, that's in every contract. That's, that's what they call a 'sanity clause'.
    Chico: Ha ha ha ha ha! You can't fool me! There ain't no Sanity Clause!

    Offers not good after curfew in sectors R or N,.
  • 02-04-2007 3:32 PM In reply to

    Re: Subwoofer hookup to older receiver

    Thanks very much (I must say I've been very impressed with your prompt responses!)

    I am going to take your advice and return the sub. Then do a little more research and get one likely from a different store. Thanks for all your help.

     

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