New System : PSW505 problem - please help !

k9blek

Hi, I just bought 2 Monitor 70 speakers, and Onkyo HT- RC260, and a PSW505 sub. I just did a basic hook up (no bi-amping as of yet). The monitor 70's didn't blow me away at first but seem to be sounding a little better. I cannot get anything from the sub at all. Not even the slightest sound. The power light is on but nothing. I removed an old Sony sub from my other system and it seems to work fine but it's a simple sub. This PSW505 has all kinds of connections on the back so maybe i'm doing something wrong. I simply ran an RCA from the sub pre-out of the Onkyo to the RCA on the sub. I even ran a dual RCA (red and green) but nothing. I switched it around but still nothing ... is my sub DOA ? please help if you can. I do not have this hooked up as a home theater system yet.....simply for music for the time being but eventually hope to move it to the man room if that matters.

k9blek

Uhhh ... * sniff ... sniff ?? * do i smell funny? PLEASE HELP so I know if my PSW505 needs to be returned ???

tonyb

How do you have it set up in the receiver ? Whats the crossover set to in the receiver ? Did you turn the crossover on the back of the sub all the way up ? What other speakers are you running ? Did you set up the speakers in the receivers menu ? If so, what are they set at ? Where's the volume control on the back of the sub at ?
You left out alot of info for someone to help ya bud.

jinjuku

Check the duh stuff.

Also if you have an any other piece of audio gear you can bypass the receiver and plug an RCA into the LFE and play something. See if you get sound.

If that Onk came with a calibration mic plug it in and run the auto EQ routine.

k9blek

Ok ..thanks for the responses.

I'll answer the questions in order:

1. I have RCA's ran from the sub to the back of the receiver where it says Sub Pre Out. The menu on the Onkyo was a little confusing but I have "yes" chosen for Sub. I messed with the calibrations a bit but again ... I got zero sound out of it ...it's not like i was getting a rumble here or there .. nothing.

2. I saw no menu or choice for crossover in the receiver. I'll start lookin' thru the manual but I'm sure it has it. It's basically the same receiver as the 608 that's so popular minus a couple of fringe benefits.

3. Yes I turned the control knobs on the back of the sub back and forth too ... no sound at all.

4. I'm running NO other speakers at this time. Monitor 70's and PSW505.

5. I did adjust the speakers a bit in the receiver's menu. Made no difference at all although again .... it was pretty confusing to me as i'm a newby at this. I saw a post saying i should put the front speakers at 80 so i'll try that. I saw no option for "big" and "small".

6. I had the volume on the back of the sub pretty much everywhere trying to get anything from the sub ... nothing.

** again i'd like to point out that i used an older sub the same way and it sounds pretty good ... just confused as to why i'm getting nothing from the PSW505.

for jinjuku ..... i'll try the calibration thing but I just can't believe that would solve my problem with absolutely nothing as far as sound coming out. Also to test the sub you mentioned i can plug it into anything else. I guess i could plug it into the system that i removed the other sub from just as a process of elimination.

thank you very much for helping me ...i hope i provided enough information for you to get me going here or at least to determine if this sub is DOA.

k9blek

OK ... plugged the PSW505 into my system downstairs and nothing. Only signs of life at all from the sub is that the light turns on showing power. Other than that I have zero sound ...nothing. I just find it weird that I would order this sub brand new and it be defective. I've had pretty good luck ordering things online to this point. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know otherwise i'm chalking this up to being DOA.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
If it were me, I believe I would:
1. unplug the sub's AC power cord from the wall outlet.
2. remove the grille cover and take out the screws that go around the circumference of the woofer.
3. pull the woofer out away from the cabinet and make sure the positive and negative speaker wires are attached to the corresponding positive and negative terminals of the woofer.
4. if the wires seem well connected, remove them from the woofer and bring the woofer near to one of your speakers. Take the wires from one of your speakers and at a very low playing volume touch them to the woofer's terminals. Resist the temptation to increase the playing volume if you don't hear any sound from the woofer.
5. the sub has two parts, the woofer and the bass amplifier. This test will determine which one it is. Call Polk's CS at 1-800-377-7655 for help.
Regards, Ken

k9blek

Thanks ! I'll give it a try. This won't void the warranty will it?

[Deleted User]

No, it's normal troubleshooting for Polk.

k9blek

I removed the cover but couldn't get to the screws around the speaker. I tried to move the little rubber piece over to get to it but I was afraid I was gonna tear it.

Anyone know if they'll send out a new one or if i have to wait till they receive this one, check it out, and then fix it or send a new one?

eric

k9blek

Awesome ! thanks ..i'll give it a try and post the results.

[Deleted User]

Hello Eric,
I forgot to mention that there is a decorative gasket that is hiding the screws. If you take this gasket off you can get to the screws, Polk CS can send a replacement gasket along with the replacement woofer (if that proves to be the culprit). Since you mentioned that the original sub worked when connected to the receiver I believe there is definitely a problem with the new unit. Since there are only two components to the sub, the woofer and the bass amplifier the goal is to figure out which one it is. The easiest approach is to remove the woofer and see if it can be powered externally. If it works then the problem is the bass amp and Polk CS will work with you. If it is the woofer the same thing will happen, it gets replaced. You will need to provide them with a sales receipt from an authorized Polk dealer.
Regards, Ken

k9blek

Test completed for Anonymouse. No sound or hum ..or anything. Something has to be dead. I got this at newegg.com ... so Kenneth ... should I just send it all back or try to test the sub. I tried to remove that "decorative gasket but it was fiesty and I'm overly concerned messing with it too much will void my warranty.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Telephone Polk at 1-800-377-7655, they'll help.
Regards, Ken

jinjuku

anonymouse wrote: »

ok... do this.
1) disconnect the receiver end of the interconnect from the receiver to the sub. Let that end hang loose, touching nothing. Other end should be connected to the sub inputs as before.
2) Turn the sub volume to about the midpoint (halfway)
3) power on the sub (make sure it is ON, not AUTO)
4) now with your hand, touch the center pin on the interconnect that is hanging loose.

When you do step 4, you should hear a hum from the sub, at mains frequency (60Hz). If you do not, then the sub has an issue.

Ya, that works too :biggrin:

WilliamM2

k9blek wrote: »

Test completed for Anonymouse. No sound or hum ..or anything. Something has to be dead. I got this at newegg.com ... so Kenneth ... should I just send it all back or try to test the sub. I tried to remove that "decorative gasket but it was fiesty and I'm overly concerned messing with it too much will void my warranty.

Ken works for Polk Audio, no worry about voiding the warranty if you follow his instructions.

If Newegg will pay shipping, I'd send it back if you are not comfortable tearing into it. Otherwise I would take Ken's advice, figure out what's wrong, and get the parts from Polk. Shipping the whole sub back and forth can get expensive.