Psw 110 + hk3490

DashBoard Jesus

I have searched for a definitive answer on this to no avail.

Harmon Kardon model HK3490 recommends using a single RCA line from the bottom jack labeled "mono sub out" (switch set to "ON"). Polk recommends going to the Right/LFE RCA on the back of the sub. The HK will not fire this unit this way. I have switched cables made sure the sub is switched to on instead of auto ect.

Now... the sub will fire when connected to BOTH of the HK's dual sub outs to the R/L RCA's on the sub. Is this bad for the sub? It is receiving 2 line level mono full range sources at the same time.

Would I be better off using a "Y" cable at the sub and going to the HK amp via a single RCA to the Mono out? This isn't a true LFE out on the amp i believe.

Alternately could I safely just use the amps L/R Pre AMP Outs to the PSW110's L/R RCA's?

Thanks, Just got my first Polk products today, Monitor 70's and a PSW110!

RuSsMaN

Great setup, I would use the left and right preouts and be done with it. Your other options are fine also, no harm will come from either hookup method.

Cheers,
Russ

DashBoard Jesus

I was kinda leaning to the preouts option. If in fact it is/was an option. I didn't know if powered subs could be ran this way or had to go through the receivers "sub" output. This is my first 2ch setup and first amp with preouts. I can manage the x-over manually on the sub to suit my taste.

Can't wait for 60-100 hours to pass! I want this stuff broke in now!

Mon40CSMM10

Try this:

1. Reconnect only the R/LFE without using the Y-connector.
2. Set the master volume to the where it's listenable but the sub still isn't firing.
3. Move the sub switch from Auto to On. Hear any sound output, even if it's necessary to put an ear right up to the front grill of the sub? If so, good, the sub is technically working. Now switch back to Auto and watch for the green light to turn back to yellow after about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. If the light did turn yellow again--it's like insufficient signal. So then go into the receiver's speaker settings and start increasing the subwoofer channel until the light turns green. This may be at +6.0 dB or higher, depending on how low the "listenable" volume level may be for the music or movies. Adjust the subwoofer amplifier dial up or down to the desirable bass level.

You may find with your HK, just like I did with the Pioneer I am using, that the subwoofer's auto-on just isn't sensitive enough and needs a higher subwoofer channel level to cause a power on. If that's the case, increasing the subwoofer channel from the usual 0.0 dB is one workaround.

Note to Polk: the auto on needs to be more sensitive to detect lower signal levels from some receivers, and still power on. Probably too late for a redesign for the PSW110, but hopefully is being addressed for future subwoofer designs.

TECHNOKID

First, welcome to Club Polk DashBoard Jesus!

Mon40CSMM10, I agree with most of your post but...

Note to Polk: the auto on needs to be more sensitive to detect lower signal levels from some receivers, and still power on. Probably too late for a redesign for the PSW110, but hopefully is being addressed for future subwoofer designs.

Nothing wrong with the sub design as this sub in my opinion is designed to work with HT AVR which calibrates the sub to exactly the desired level for the sub to work optimally. I never ever had any issues with my PSW110 as I am using uit with a Yammy AVR which at calibration sends the proper signal to the sub to work efficiently.

DashBoard Jesus, I don't agree with Polk with their suggested way of connection for the sub but since you are using a receiver rather than an AVR, I believe Polk suggestion would be best in your situation. Personnally, I would use a Y rather than using L & R signals to the sub just to make sure the sub amp input is not over driven which could lead to distortion or even potential sub amp damage (too low of a signal is not good but too high of a signal can also be bad),

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

Look at your HK manual. You will see that the sub outs on the back of that unit have an ON/OFF Switch? Choose ONE, make sure it is ON (or the equivalent), then you can use either a single ended cable or a Y ended cable to the UNFILTERED INS on the POLK sub.

The HK stereo receiver has NO internal subwoofer crossover so you must adjust the crossover on the POLK sub! Adjust the volume on the sub to the desired level and set the crossover high enough so that there will be a signal from the HK going to the sub--meaning--at least 80hz or a bit higher (NOT lower than that). You might even consider going FULL throttle on the Polk's sub crossover--setting it to the MAX level so that you have some signal always going to it?

And don't forget to toggle the phase switch a few times to see what setting provides the best bass with your mains!

You should be OK!

Good luck!

cnh