Distortion question
Hello. I just recently purchased a Harman Kardon DPR 1001 digital path A/V receiver. I've had it for about 10 days, and just got around to "tweaking" it last night. However, I ran into a distortion problem. First, let me tell you my setup. Right now I'm running it with a pair of 4 month old Rti8's, using Monster THX 16 gauge wire, a Monster digital optical cable connecting a Panasonic S35 DVD player to the unit. My runs are about 15 feet right now. I have an HK 12 150 watt sub, and I have it connected to the receiver using a Monster bass cable via the sub preout on the receiver to the LFE input on the sub.
Here's where I ran into a problem. I've had it set up on the receiver as a pair of small speakers, crossover at 100 hz, and when you set it at small, the only sub setting on the receiver is sub. (By the way, I physically have my sub set at 80 hz crossover). It seems to work pretty well this way, but last night I was experimenting with setting the speakers to large, and setting the bass management to SUB+L+R, or just LFE. Either way, when playing a music CD with a lot of bass (I was testing it with Manhattan Transfer's Christmas CD, which to me sounds awesome), I was getting a lot of distortion (and it wasn't just the bass that was distorting), and the volume was just at -30, which is just starting to get loud. When I set the speakers to small, I don't get this distortion. So, anyway, I've set the speakers back to small, but shouldn't the Rti8's be able to be set at large? Am I doing something wrong? Thanks.
Here's where I ran into a problem. I've had it set up on the receiver as a pair of small speakers, crossover at 100 hz, and when you set it at small, the only sub setting on the receiver is sub. (By the way, I physically have my sub set at 80 hz crossover). It seems to work pretty well this way, but last night I was experimenting with setting the speakers to large, and setting the bass management to SUB+L+R, or just LFE. Either way, when playing a music CD with a lot of bass (I was testing it with Manhattan Transfer's Christmas CD, which to me sounds awesome), I was getting a lot of distortion (and it wasn't just the bass that was distorting), and the volume was just at -30, which is just starting to get loud. When I set the speakers to small, I don't get this distortion. So, anyway, I've set the speakers back to small, but shouldn't the Rti8's be able to be set at large? Am I doing something wrong? Thanks.
Post edited by iluvmusic on
Comments
-
the only time you should ever set your mains to large is if you are not planning to use a subwoofer. I would set all of your speakers to small and set your subwoofer to the on position in your receiver. Setting your speakers to large will deliver all of your low end to your speakers, set to small and set your xover point will route any htz below your setting to your sub.
Set your speakers to small and sub to on. -
I have RT800i's and, personally, I like setting them to 'large', unless the usage is strictly HT. For music they just sound better to me, running full-range, whether or not the sub is on.
Regardless of your preference on the small vs. large issue, you shouldn't be getting distortion at moderate-to-loud volume. The RTi8's should be able to handle a full range signal. Audible distortion at moderate volume usually is the result of an improper or poor quality connection somewhere in the signal path. That shouldn't really change with the bass management settings, though. Could it be a problem with the receiver?? Set your mains to large, unplug the sub (but leave it set to "on" in the setup) and then play the recording that produces the distortion, to see if it's still there.
Jason -
I would say that after trying what you just told me to do - setting the speakers to large, physically turning the sub off, but leaving it on LFE on the receiver - that there is still some distortion, but not as bad as with the sub on - does that make sense? When you go back to small, it sounds better. This receiver only has 50 wpc - but they always say that HK receivers are more powerful than their wattage specs indicates. Do you think it doesn't have enough power to drive the bass?
I'm thinking of taking the receiver back and getting something else - I guess since I want a receiver tha will also power 4 ohm loads I'm pretty much stuck with Yamaha - I was thinking the HTR-5760 or 5790 or the RX-V1400 which are in the $500 to $800 range. Anyway, that's why I was wanting to get some educated opinions on what's going on.
My Pioneer VSX-812k in my family room (with a Velodyne sub), which powers my 800i's plays very loud without much distortion (there's just a little bass distortion) on the same song, even with the loudness button pushed in (and I'm talking loud!).
Thanks. -
Sounds like another HK receiver problem, been hearing a lot about that lately.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I'm thinking that you are having issues with your receiver as well....I can't see anything else as being amiss here...
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut
