PSW 650 lack od response

Perrin31
Perrin31 Posts: 5
edited August 2002 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hello all,

First time posting here, but long time Polk user. I am VERY frustrated with my HT system right now. I don't seem to be able to get much response from my PSW 650. Except at very low levels. Haven't measured it, but it only seems to hit when there are extreme explosions, etc. Even then the response is fairly minimal. I have the volume up to 8, so I figure I should be getting a little more reponse than that? I have had the sub checked out by Polk. They say it is fine. At this point I think it is the way I have it hooked up. It certainly wouldn't be the first time I have hooked up something incorrectly. As they say, one is always learning? Anyway, here is my current setup:

Polk Audio speakers: LS90 Fronts; CS1000P Center; FX1000 Surrounds and PSW 650 Subwoofer.

Components: Rotel RSP 985 Preamp/DSP; Rotel RB 991 2 channel amp and Rotel RB 993 3 channel amp.

I currently have the PSW 650 hooked up to my Preamp/DSP using ONLY the LFE/Subwoofer In. I am actaully using a 2 in 1 cable that goes out from my Preamp/DSP and splits into both the LFE/Subwoofer In on my PSW 650, and the sub input on my center.

After some reading, here is what I have decided to do. I am going to get some Y cables and go from the Pre-out on the amp that is running my two fronts to the Line level In on the PSW 650. I am going to keep the LFE/Subwoofer In attached, and leave the Subwoofer set to "Yes" in the preferences for my Preamp/DSP. My question is, has anyone tried this hookup brefore? If so, how did it go, and do you have any advice for maximising my sub output?

I understand that I will have to tweak it for a while and find out what I like best, but I figured someone might have some advice so that I don't have to backtrack. Sorry about the longwinded post, but I am on extreme amounts of cough medicine right now and seem to only be able to write anything in a stream of consciousness way. :D Anyway, any help and advice is appreciate.

Thanks

Rob
Post edited by Perrin31 on
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Comments

  • rskarvan
    rskarvan Posts: 2,374
    edited August 2002
    I too am a bit disappointed at the bass output of the PSW650.
    It seem... well.... honestly..... MINIMAL.

    Not good, not bad..... just not ENOUGH.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited August 2002
    Hello Rob,
    Thanks for posting on the Forum. There are a few things that come to mind:
    1). what you are describing is normally associated with owners wanting more mid-bass information coming from the sub-woofer. When you use the pre-amplifier's sub-out connection this is only going to produce the very lowest bass signals, typically 80 Hz and below. You might prefer to have the unit produce more of the upper mid bass frequencies. Try connecting both the left and right pre-amp outputs and the sub-out connections to the PSW650. In other words you will have three RCA connections going to the unit, a left and right main and a sub-out going into the left and right input and the LFE input. Set the variable low pass filter, on the PSW650, to 100 or 120 Hz. Keep the setup as sub "on" front channels as "large". This would provide the LFE channels as well as more front channel mid bass information.
    2). the CS1000p shouldn't have a sub-out connection, rather it should be fed a center channel pre-amp connection. You don't want the speaker to produce LFE information, but rather center channel information.
    3). sub-woofer room placement is just as important as the sub-woofer itself, if your listening position corresponds to an area of the room where there's bass cancellation you will experience an uneven quality of bass. Both the listening position and the sub-woofer placement produce bass cancellations and standing waves. This is inevitable with rooms that have any parallel wall/ceiling surfaces. the result is that it will sound as though some frequencies are more pronounced than others and that some frequencies are missing. There are some excellent articles, written by Paul DiComo, in the Speaker Specialist newsletter archives that give helpful suggestions on sub-woofer placement.
    Best regards, Ken Swauger
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  • Perrin31
    Perrin31 Posts: 5
    edited August 2002
    Hi Ken,

    Thanks a lot for the advice. I am going to get some cables this weekend and try out your solutions. I have one question for you though. It concerns the center channel.

    If I just use the speaker level outputs, does that mean that the amp is still just pwering the mids and tweets, and leaving the internal amp in the center to power the subs? I just want to make sure that wiring it with just the dpeaker level outputs will not bypass the internal amp in the center that the subs should use. This might be a stupid question, as there maybe no way to bypass the internal amp for the subs. I just wanted to make sure. Thanks again for your help.

    Rob
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  • Aaron
    Aaron Posts: 1,853
    edited August 2002
    If I just use the speaker level outputs, does that mean that the amp is still just pwering the mids and tweets, and leaving the internal amp in the center to power the subs?
    Yes.
    This might be a stupid question, as there maybe no way to bypass the internal amp for the subs.
    Correct, you can't bypass the internal amps. All of this stuff is explained pretty clearly in the manual. If you don't have one, click here.

    Aaron
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  • Perrin31
    Perrin31 Posts: 5
    edited August 2002
    Hello all,

    Ken: I took your advice with the PSW 650 and have noticed quite a difference!!! I am definitely now getting more of what I expected. Thanks alot for the great advice. Your explanation explained it a little better than the manual, which is where I originally found this setup option. Again, your advice is greatly appreciated!!!

    Aaron: Thanks for the answers to what may seem as really stupid questions. I have to disagree that all of this information is in the manuals. The manual for the center only has one line that mentions that the "crossover frequency of the built in powered subwoofer is fixed and optimized for the CS1000P." This one sentence is all I can find in the manual that even comes close to addressing my questions/concerns with the center. Maybe I am missing some things that should just be assumed by that statement? I have only been in the HT realm for about a year. There seems to be a lot more to learn than my old two channel/stero environment.

    Either way, I greatly appreciate all of the feedback. Again, my system is definitely sounding the way I think it should sound.

    Thanks again

    Rob
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  • nascarmann
    nascarmann Posts: 1,464
    edited August 2002
    Rob

    Sounds to me you have a very good handle on your system......Now it's time to enjoy:D
    Oh, the bottle has been to me, my closes friend, my worse enemy!
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited August 2002
    So,
    how are you lovin the Rotel gear.....the rsp985, thats a bit older isn't it?I know of the rsp 976 and the new rsp 1066,(which I'm lusting over right about now)

    Your amps are older as well.Do they have the older look without the heat sinks on the front and sides?

    I'm a big fan of Rotel myself.I just got a 2 channel pre amp and dual mono amp to get started down the Rotel path.I love the way they sound and so punchy.Dynamic range seems to have no limits.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Perrin31
    Perrin31 Posts: 5
    edited August 2002
    Hi Mantis,

    I am enjoying the Rotel gear quite a bit. I was coming from a two channel environment with all Carver gear. I have been impressed by the Rotel sound and range. They do everything I want them to. You are right, they are older. I was looking at getting two amps and a pre-amp/DSP when I was getting into HT for the first time. The high end shop up the street from me was trying to get rid of the RSP-985 and the RB-991 and 993 amps in a package deal. For $2900 I got all three. I figured I couldn't go wrong? I thought it would be a nice system to indoctrinate me into the how twos of HT. I think I got more than I bargained for? ;) The only downside is that it is older, so I will have to upgrade the pre-amp/DSP for 6.1, 7.1, etc. Although for now it is blowing my socks off. Even more so with the tweaks I have made in the last two days. What an amazing difference!!!

    I decided to also upgrade all of my component connections. $200.00 later I am really noticing the difference. You know it is a big difference when your fiance, who was there at the time of purchase of wire and said system, says that she notices a HUGE difference in how the HT now sounds with tweaks and new wire. That is why I am marrying her. ;)

    Since my purchase I haven't stayed too up on what Rotel is currently offering, although I did check out their website the other day and liked what I saw. My amps actaully only have the heatsinks on the front. Biggest heatsink I have seen, but they don't go up the sides. That must look pretty funky?

    I agree with Nascarmann, now I get to sit back and enjoy watching all of my movies over again, just to enjoy the new sounds I am getting.

    I have to say that I love these kinds of forums. How did people get along before the Internet? :)

    Thanks again all

    Rob
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  • Aaron
    Aaron Posts: 1,853
    edited August 2002
    I have to disagree that all of this information is in the manuals. The manual for the center only has one line that mentions that the "crossover frequency of the built in powered subwoofer is fixed and optimized for the CS1000P."
    I was referring to the hook-up options being clearly laid out in the manual. Sorry for the confusion.

    Aaron
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  • Perrin31
    Perrin31 Posts: 5
    edited August 2002
    Hey no problem Aaron. From your post I thought I was missing something. I have to agree with you about the hook up options. They certainly are there. It makes me wonder why I didn't read them sooner. I think it goes back to those early days when I first got my Atari 2600 and decided to hook it up and play with the system before reading ANY of the documentation. I have been that way ever since. It seems I can't get away with that anymore? My motto now is if it is there, I will read it...sometime. Anyway, thanks again, and no problems here. :D

    Rob
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited August 2002
    Rob,
    you got a great deal on the Rotel gear.If and when you upgrade the preamp..the newest one is the rsp1066.Triggers.IR routing,rs232 programming and control,7.1 ,5 video in's,etc you can read the spec's on there web page,but not to mention it comes also in cool **** silver.The only thing I don't care for with Rotel is the lack of Inputs compared to other's.B&K smokes the Rotel for Inputs..but I will have to give the sound edge slightly to Rotel.
    Anyway enjoy your upgrades.
    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited August 2002
    Hello Rob,
    I'm glad the PSW650 is sounding better, it's a fine sub-woofer. I agree the Rotel products are highly recommended, good sounding and well made.
    Have fun, Ken
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