Source
r/hometheater•
QuazL

Subwoofer not Engaged when in "stereo" mode on receiver

Install/Placement

When I am listening to a stereo source (CD, Spotify, MP3) the sub either isn't playing or barely audible.

I have a Marantz SR6012. I found this in an old post from user "MDS" from Audioholics:

  • Is the subwoofer set to 'on' or 'yes' in the receiver setup menus?
  • Is the volume control on the sub set at some setting above zero?
  • Do you have the other speakers setup in the receiver setup menus and set to Small? If they are all set to Large there will be no sub signal (unless the receiver also offers a subwoofer mode like 'both' or 'lfe+main').
  • Is the receiver set to a processing mode other than 'direct' or 'pure direct' (neither will send a signal to the sub).
  • Is the subwoofer getting power from the outlet? Try changing from auto-on to just on if the sub offers those settings. '

I have my speakers set to large in the setup and I have the setting "lfe+main" set, but still no sound comes out.

To be honest, I have no idea how to set the LFE cutoff or rolloff or even what I am talking about. Anyone have any insight on how i get the subwoofer to be engaged?

Thanks,

Posted Nov 16, 2018, 7:46 PM UTC

019
beansisfat•

Always set your speakers to small.

3
ansel-a5.0/Pioneer VSX 1020-K/KLH 900B/No info on C, Sl, SR•

Set your speakers to small so it sends all the low bass to the sub

3
okazar•

Some receivers don't send signals to the sub depending on the sound mode.

Refer to your product manual. All the info is there.

2
MMfuryroadChane A5 Mains/A2.4CC/Rythmik LV12R x 2/BIC PL-66SS/DenonX4300H•

Did you do an Initial subwoofer crawl to find the best in room bass response for the sub at the main listening position ? How did you connect to the subwoofer? In other words which input did you use on the sub's plate amp and did you set the subwoofers physical low pass filter knob to its maximum setting? Did you then set your subwoofers gain knob to about 9 o'clock and run all 6/8 Audyssey mic positions? Mains set to large and bass set to LFE+Mains should still send bass to the subwoofer unlike when set to Large without the LFE+Mains setting.

1
QuazLOP•

Wow.

I didn't do the subcrawl, but you just gave me a project for the weekend.

The subwoofer is connected to the "Left and Right" with a subwoofer cable with a Y-connector. It is an old Velodyne.

I didn't realize that i had a low-pass filter nob. So much to do tonight.

0
MMfuryroadChane A5 Mains/A2.4CC/Rythmik LV12R x 2/BIC PL-66SS/DenonX4300H•

I didn't do the subcrawl, but you just gave me a project for the weekend.

You'll get rewarded for it I promise.

The subwoofer is connected to the "Left and Right" with a subwoofer cable with a Y-connector. It is an old Velodyne.

That's fine. Usually the left /white input is the dedicated LFE input needing only a single RCA connection but the splitter should sum both the inputs and increase the inputs sensitivity a bit. You can accomplish the same thing by simply raising the subwoofers physical gain knob 2 clicks as well. Most use the splitter if their sub's Auto on feature doesn't turn the sub on fast enough at low listening levels or you can just leave the sub in the On setting all the time. Technically if the single LFE input is used the subwoofers physical low pass setting is bypassed for the receivers own bass mgmt settings but I always set it to its highest setting anyways just in case.

I didn't realize that i had a low-pass filter nob. So much to do tonight.

It's there for mostly those using 2 channel stereo pre amps that don't have their own bass mgmt. . With an AV reciever it becomes redundant. The phase knob should be set to 0° as well on the sub amp.

1
QuazLOP•

The nuggets in this reply are great. I know so little about sound.

Thank you for your time and information.

1
MMfuryroadChane A5 Mains/A2.4CC/Rythmik LV12R x 2/BIC PL-66SS/DenonX4300H•

No problem. Here's a great resource for everything Audyysey related as well. I have it pretty much memorized with my Denon setup. Good stuff.

1
MMfuryroadChane A5 Mains/A2.4CC/Rythmik LV12R x 2/BIC PL-66SS/DenonX4300H•

I know so little about sound.

Now you know a litle bit more and with that Audyssey thread read and reread you'll know still even more. The more I learn about it the more I realize how little of it I actually know which is what makes this hobby so much fun. Constant learning and all for free👍. Good luck.

1
umdivx5.2.2|Denon X4200|Klipsch RF-35 RC-35 RB-35|Dual SVS PB 12 NSD •

I have my speakers set to large in the setup and I have the setting "lfe+main" set, but still no sound comes out.

^^^ that is your issue. Speakers should be set to small. Seems dumb or counter intuitive if you have towers, but that is how it should be set.

​

0
uiid•

Switch to multi channel stereo then it will work!

0
TheHeadless1•

I have a Pioneer but I have a mode that allows base output to the sub during stereo mode. Its called "something"Plus, maybe stereo plus. Its in the settings area for the sub.

0
MMfuryroadChane A5 Mains/A2.4CC/Rythmik LV12R x 2/BIC PL-66SS/DenonX4300H•

Stereo mode on any AV receiver shouldn't disable the subwoofer. The setting you are describing is often called double bass and that's to duplicate the mains full range setting sending what should be just low frequencies sent to the just mains and sends them to the sub as well when running your mains full range.

3
God_o_fuckery•

Set speakers to small, set to “LFE” only (not LFE + main). When you set the speakers to Large, the sub output is shut off.

-1
okazar•

LFE+Main does not disengage the subwoofer output it simply sends the full spectrum to both Left-right + sub

1
God_o_fuckery•

Correct, Setting the front speakers to Large does. Did you even read my post?

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
okazar•

You can't set the front speakers to large and have lfe on. lFE is only applicable to Small speakers whereas lfe+main is set to large speakers. You can't mix the two sizes and settings.

1
God_o_fuckery•

I think we are in total agreement here :)

2