Hooking up subs...

Polkapops

I am a 'newbie' when it comes to surround sound. Had a 2 speaker Onkyo system for the past 20yrs and finally made the jump (read: got permission from the wife!) to a REAL system.

Purchased at Crutchfield: Denon AVR-3805, Denon DVD-2900,
Polk RTi12s, Polk CSi5, FXi5 surrounds & a pair of RTi6's for the back surrounds.

I have a couple of questions - What is the best way to hook up my subs?
I have a PSW-505 and a PSW-10 that I got as a promotional
freebie. None of the paperwork I received explains how to hook up more than one sub. Currently I just have the 505 hooked up to the LFE channel. Also, is it best to run them stacked, side by side or shooting at each other from across the room?

As a side note, the system kept shutting down on me Saturday night (1st night I actually got to play with the system) - I called Crutchfield and they are sending me another AVR-3805. Everything is hooked up correctly and the only other component I have connected to it is my Onkyo CD changer which I was not running at the time. I'm hoping it's just a faulty unit and the new
one will be fine but I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this or if it may be something I am doing wrong. We were listening to SACD's cranked to around -2.00 db on the volume readout. And the system would go into 'protect mode'
about every 30 minutes or so.....Appreciate any suggestions......

Polkapops

Oh - and the amp is adequately ventilated in an open rack - Plus I had a fan blowing towards it after it shut down the 1st time - and it still shut down 3x after that.......

dave shepard

The first answer to the reciever shutting down is because your running it too hard and it is getting too warm and going into protect mode, don't do that too much you could damage something. The sub answer can go two ways you can run you front speakers on full and the rest small and sub on, run the front L/R wires to the sub use the x-over to pull out the low signal and connect the L/R front speakers to your sub then also connect the sub-out using a sub cable to connect your other sub. You can also set all speakers to small and using the sub-out connection and a y-splitter to connect the two subs to the one sub-out. I would suggest you get an AVIA calibration disc and a SPL meter for RS to calibrate your speakers. If you find that you need or like the sound that high and it still shuts down you may need to coincider and amp to eliminate the problem, but first try this and see if it helps.
You have a nice first time set-up I hope you and the Mrs's enjoy it.

Dave

dave shepard

Oh yea the sub setting should be -5 on the reciever adjust the subs volume at the sub not the reciever. Welcom to the forum.

Dave

Polkapops

Thanks for the information Dave - I'll do some tweaking during the Holiday weekend. Our 50" Sony Wega is supposed to come in tomorrow and I've got the day off - Hopefully have everything hooked up for when mama gets home from work. We are enjoying our new set up immensely!!

Just one more thing - The system sounded SUPERB at that volume level (-2db), just as crisp & clean as could be! If I was being to hard on the system, about what level would seem acceptable? I definitely do not want to damage my system - Am looking forward to many, many hours of enjoyment in the future.

Dan

PolkThug

I think you're gonna need an amp to satisfy your listening habits. The RTi12's recommended wattage is 50-500 watts each. I'm not suprised that the 3805 went into protect mode.

Airplay355

i agree man... those rti12's are going to need an amp. you should consider getting a seperate amp to power them, or atleast to power the three 7" woofers each has. if you dont mind used gear, im sure someone around here would give u an excelent deal.

Polkapops

I picked up a used Hafler on E-Bay that I'm planning on using. It's one of the old DH-200's (100w per channel) but again, this is all new to me and I'm not sure how to hook it up. I'm so old school that I'm used to hooking up the components & 2 speakers and then turn it on. This new set up is pretty deep for me! Trying to
get in touch with a 'friend of a friend' to help me calibrate the system. I would appreciate any info on hooking up the Hafler to
run my RTi12's though......I'd like to be able to work through the system as much as I can myself - But I still think I'm going to need a hand when it comes to calibrating or fine tuning it......

dave shepard

Make shure the next thing you get is a AVIA disc the disc will get you calibrated and there is alot of info on it also about speakers, subs and hook-ups it will take awhile to get through watching the disc but it will answer alot of questions I'm sure you have and as always we will be glade to assist where needed.

Dave

Polkapops

Thanks again, Dave!
Can get frustrating, especially when you're anxious to get it all done. I'll pick up the AVIA disc and take my time - It'll be worth it all in the end.......:)

dave shepard

Originally posted by Polk-a-pops
Thanks again, Dave!
Can get frustrating, especially when you're anxious to get it all done. I'll pick up the AVIA disc and take my time - It'll be worth it all in the end.......:)

I know all about frustrating especally when some things don't seem to be going as expected, we've all been there. The bass being set at -5 on the reciever will give you the cleanest signal to the sub any higher and the signal starts to get distorted. When you get the AVIA disc set the recievers volume at 0 and start setting the speakers on the reciever (using a Radio Shack analog SPL meter) to 87dbl at your seating position.

Dave

Polkapops

Thanks again for the info!
I calibrated using the Ovation disc Best Buy had (not the AVIA though) and the SPL meter from Radio Shack - What a difference!
Originally I used the Denon microphone that I purchased with my order from Crutchfield using the system's test tones.
The difference in calibration really made an impact - Now when I listen at -12 to -14 it's audibly about the same as when I had to crank it up to around -2 with the 'auto-setup' using the system's mic. Sooooooo, now that I'm hooked - (watched LOTR this past weekend) I just checked out the SVS site and ordered a 16-46PC+ to try before my trial period is up at Crutchfield - (I get the feeling I'll be sending the PS-505 back!) Thanks to all I've read and learned on this forum. And Dave, I can't thank you enough for the improvement my system has undergone! I took your suggestion of -5 for the bass and I must say it sounds pretty damn good! Also am curious if I should change to the LSi series while I still have the option? Is there a big sound difference?

dave shepard

Originally posted by Polk-a-pops
Thanks again for the info!
I just checked out the SVS site and ordered a 16-46PC+ to try before my trial period is up at Crutchfield - (I get the feeling I'll be sending the PS-505 back!) Thanks to all I've read and learned on this forum. And Dave, I can't thank you enough for the improvement my system has undergone! I took your suggestion of -5 for the bass and I must say it sounds pretty damn good! Also am curious if I should change to the LSi series while I still have the option? Is there a big sound difference?

No problem for the info. Just glad to help where I can. As for the Lsi Polks the Denon will not give them the justas they deserve the Lsi's are 4ohms and the Denon wont drive them to there full potential you will need an amp for sure to get them to sing properly. If you have the SVS comming,congrats and you sure will be sending the 505 back without even thinking about it, they are just that good. As for a sound differance for the future a higher power seperate amp will yield the best performance gain for the money. But for now if you are happy with the sound you are getting wait for the sub to come sit-back and enjoy. The one thing you will find in this hobby is that the possabilities are endless. What size is your room? Did SVS recomend the sub for you?

Dave

Polkapops

My room is approx 15.5' deep x 17.5 wide x 7.25 high with wall to wall carpet and an acoustical tiled ceiling. I spoke with Eric at SVS this morning and he thought my choice would work for our room but suggested the 20/39 since we listen to a lot of music as well.

Now I have another question. I want to hook up my Hafler amp to power the fronts. I had a guy go through it and he gave it a clean bill of health. However, he did say that the mosfets are quick acting and suggested a 'slow' pre-amp to run the unit. I am not a 'techie' and am not sure if my Denon would be considered 'slow' or not. He also said that it was slightly boomy on the base end. So I am wondering if I should bi-amp the fronts, hooking the Hafler to the top posts (preout from Denon) and then
hook the Denon up to the bottom posts (from L/R on Denon) or vice versa. Or should I just preout from Denon to Hafler and leave the jumper on the binding posts and strictly have the Hafler run the fronts. I've read a lot on this forum but I just want to make sure that I am (will be) doing this correctly? Do these sound like viable options?

dave shepard

I would use the pre-outs from the Denon only and if you feel that later you need more power another amp can be had. It keeps things simple and straight forward at least for me if I was in your position. Just get good wire for the speakers and interconnects.
Later when you get more comfortable with the system and it's sound you will be able to see where you would like to go next much better then before you have had a chance to listen to it for a little while.
You will find that after a period of time (only you can be the judge of when) you may be very happy with the results and not want or need to change anything or you will be able to tell where something is lacking and needs improvement but only time will tell. So for now my best suggestion is to get things running with the SVS watch a couple movies listen to some music and enjoy the system, you have done good with the choices and I'm sure it'll sound good to.


Dave

Polkapops

My new sub is in!
MY NEW SUB IS IN!!!!:D
UPS never knocked (my dog would've alerted me) just
left a sticker on the door - I arranged to pick it up after
work today - I can't wait to hear how it sounds......I haven't been this excited since.........aw hell, just a couple of weeks ago when the 1st shimpment of my gear arrived - But I have to admit, b/4 these past few weeks it's been awhile since I've felt this way. Almost like a kid at Christmas.......Life is GOOD!!

Polkapops

Oh, any suggestions on where I should set the crossover on the AVR?

dave shepard

80

congrats on the sub let us know what ya think, I think I already know be want to hear you say it .

Dave

Polkapops

AWESOME!!:D
Picked up U571 and watched that last night - Actually FELT the depth charges throughout my body! The wife says "Don't you think that's a little overkill?" I laughed out loud....but honey, that's what it's all about She was getting into it as well -
A lot punchier for music as well. I am seriously thinking of getting another (someday, she'd kill me if I broached the subject now).
What a difference it's made to both HT and music.......If I didn't need to make money to pay the bills, I'd never have to leave the house! Well......maybe to buy more alcohol :cool: :rolleyes:

dave shepard

Outstanding!!! That is the way I felt and still do I just want to play it sure makes the day fly-by not to mention the movies . Enjoy and congrats.

Dave