Pioneer VSX AVR and PSW110: Try speaker level connection
Mon40CSMM10
Posts: 161
I recommend that Pioneer VSX AV Receiver users connecting a Polk Audio PSW110 powered subwoofer use the Speaker level connection and not the Line level connection, if they find that the line level connection is not giving good enough bass output without using a high subwoofer channel volume level.
My own experience with the Line Level connection (Sub/LFE out from receiver to R/LFE in on the PSW110) had been that I had to use high subwoofer channel volumes (e.g. +6.5 to +10 dB) to get subwoofer output at moderate to low volumes (e.g., -81 dB to -50 dB) for both music and movies. This did not seem acceptable, because I also had to lower the subwoofer amplifier volume dial to prevent excessively loud and overpowering bass.
If I did not use that high of a subwoofer channel volume then--due to a combination of the Pioneer receiver using a low subwoofer signal output and the PSW110 needing a certain level of signal to remain on--the subwoofer would either not power on (volumes levels -81 dB though -67 dB) or if I forced the subwoofer to be on by moving the switch from Auto to On, that it would go back from On (green light) to Auto/Standby (yellow light) shortly after I moved the switch back to Auto. I did not want to leave the switch at On continously, so I disqualified that workaround.
I gave up on line level connection and rewired to speaker level connections and I am much happier. I get continuous subwoofer output through the entire lower volume levels (-81 dB through -67 dB). The output is so good that I can set the amplifier Volume dial to below the marked Min. setting (approximately the 7:30 clock hour hand position is where the pointer is set) and get a good enough balance between the front mains and the subwoofer. The bass is also tighter and punchier without being too boomy, whereas the line level connection seemed to provide more boomy bass without providing tight enough or punchy enough bass.
So if another Pioneer VSX receiver is not giving good enough bass output with the line level output, try the speaker level output.
To accomplish this, just set Front to Large and Subwoofer to No in the Setup, Sp Setup, Sp Set. Alternatively, when using Quick Setup, answer No to the question Is Subwoofer Connected and select Number of speakers as 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 depending on the setup being used.
In my case, I'll probably never go back to line level connection unless I change residences and the room allows for turning up the volume significantly louder. Where I am now, -55 for music and -45 for movies is as loud of a volume that I would ever need to use (receiver volume scale is -94 dB to -8 dB in 8 ohm speaker mode and -94 dB to -10 dB in 6 ohm speaker mode).
My own experience with the Line Level connection (Sub/LFE out from receiver to R/LFE in on the PSW110) had been that I had to use high subwoofer channel volumes (e.g. +6.5 to +10 dB) to get subwoofer output at moderate to low volumes (e.g., -81 dB to -50 dB) for both music and movies. This did not seem acceptable, because I also had to lower the subwoofer amplifier volume dial to prevent excessively loud and overpowering bass.
If I did not use that high of a subwoofer channel volume then--due to a combination of the Pioneer receiver using a low subwoofer signal output and the PSW110 needing a certain level of signal to remain on--the subwoofer would either not power on (volumes levels -81 dB though -67 dB) or if I forced the subwoofer to be on by moving the switch from Auto to On, that it would go back from On (green light) to Auto/Standby (yellow light) shortly after I moved the switch back to Auto. I did not want to leave the switch at On continously, so I disqualified that workaround.
I gave up on line level connection and rewired to speaker level connections and I am much happier. I get continuous subwoofer output through the entire lower volume levels (-81 dB through -67 dB). The output is so good that I can set the amplifier Volume dial to below the marked Min. setting (approximately the 7:30 clock hour hand position is where the pointer is set) and get a good enough balance between the front mains and the subwoofer. The bass is also tighter and punchier without being too boomy, whereas the line level connection seemed to provide more boomy bass without providing tight enough or punchy enough bass.
So if another Pioneer VSX receiver is not giving good enough bass output with the line level output, try the speaker level output.
To accomplish this, just set Front to Large and Subwoofer to No in the Setup, Sp Setup, Sp Set. Alternatively, when using Quick Setup, answer No to the question Is Subwoofer Connected and select Number of speakers as 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, or 5.0 depending on the setup being used.
In my case, I'll probably never go back to line level connection unless I change residences and the room allows for turning up the volume significantly louder. Where I am now, -55 for music and -45 for movies is as loud of a volume that I would ever need to use (receiver volume scale is -94 dB to -8 dB in 8 ohm speaker mode and -94 dB to -10 dB in 6 ohm speaker mode).
Post edited by Mon40CSMM10 on
Comments
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If it works for you,knock yourself out. There are advantages to both ways of hooking things up.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Line Level Connection advantage: dedicated LFE output to subwoofer when watching movies that have a separate LFE track.
Line Level Connection disadvantage: low subwoofer output on some (all?) Pioneer VSX AV receivers may require high subwoofer channel levels at lower master volume levels--or higher master volume levels with lower subwoofer channel levels--in order to activate the PSW110 auto-on circut. (If the manual specfies that the subwoofer signal is output at a low volume, this may apply to that Pioneer VSX AVR.)
Line Level Connection best used for: higher volumes when listening to music and movies, sometimes approaching near the calibration master volume setting.
Speaker Level Connection advantage: better overall subwoofer response for movies and music.
Speaker Level Connection disadvantage: no dedicated LFE channel, since the LFE is mixed into the front mains and routed through the subwoofer.
Speaker Level Connection best used for: low to moderate volume levels for music and movies.
In my setting, given the room size and it's an apartment setting rather than a dedicated home setting--the Speaker Level Connection works best.
