LSI9's, DSW Pro 500, and Denon AVR-1802 setup help

strykerpilot66

Hi everyone,
I just graduated from Infinity bookshelf 3.1 to Polk LSi9/DSW500 3.1 (will keep Infinity CC until I can afford the LSiC ). I have the fronts and center wired off the proper speaker posts, and the sub is connected to the subwoofer pre-out and the LFE in via Monster 600 SW cable, but I'm not getting any levels to the sub. I don't have the manual for the 1802, but I am trying everything in the setup, and it seems that it doesn't even detect that there is a sub (only allows adjustment of the front L/R/CC).
The test I am doing is from a new Sony BDP-550S, and I've tried RCA, coax and fiber, all with the same result. I will next test it with my DISH HD, I just wish the 1802 had HDMI, so freakin' easy!.
Am I missing something simple? is the 1802 not strong enough to push this trio? BTW, the LSi9's sound absolutely fantastic!!...at least I know there is a signal getting to the AVR.

Thanks for any help, even if it is just a link to a previous post with the same trouble.
Doug

wutadumsn23

Hello Doug, and welcome to Club Polk. I wasn't able to find much information on the 1802, so I'm assuming it is an older model since it doesn't have HDMI. I did find that it only had about 80W a channel at 8 Ohms. Problem is the LSi9's are 4 Ohm speakers and loooooooooove power, as most of the LSi series does. Recommended amplified power is 20-200W at 4 Ohms, so it is going to be difficult for your 1802 to push those 9's very well and for very long. If you think they sound good now, wait till you get 200 or so watts at 4 Ohms going to them, lol. I'm also not sure if the 1802 has pre-outs for adding an external amp, that would relieve alot of the stress off your AVR, but without pre-outs it won't be possible. Also the 1802 doesn't have the ability to play the newest codecs, as I saw you were testing this on a BD player, I assume you have the ability to decode Dolby True HD, and DTS HD MA, I would recommend a receiver that would allow you to take advantage of those new codecs, they are killer. Might want to consider a receiver upgrade? Also, as for the sub getting powered, don't worry about that the DSW Pro 500 is a self powered sub and doesn't get any power from your AVR. It just receives an LFE signal that lets it know when to shake the house, lol. I would keep trying the cable swap idea, are you hooking up the sub cable from the pre-out on the back of the receiver (marked as so) to the LFE in on the back of the sub? Also there was a trick involving a CD player with a line out and a set of Y cables that was used to test a sub too, heard a warning to watch the volume though. May want to wait for better advice on that one before trying. The guys here will hook you up, they always do. Hope you get it woking and congrats on the nice system.

strykerpilot66

Thanks wut...I was so focused on getting the sub to thump I totally overlooked codecs! no wonder there was a strange anomaly on the movie soundtrack, seemed like the background music was bouncing from stereo to mono to stereo and was kind of bothersome.
Anyway, I guess I won't spend much more time trying to get the 1802 to work..is the Denon 2809 a good choice? will it be strong enough to run my 3.1HT without needing another amp? If THX2 is important, I am willing to go the Onkyo direction...I have owned both and have nothing but good things to say. I don't need it to be loud, I would rather have better accuracy and thump at lower listening levels.
Thanks again for the help, I think I found a new "favorite" website!
Doug

emoxley

I'm thinking your 1802 probably has the 5.1/7.1 multi-channel inputs (EXT. IN)? If so, you can listen to the HD audio formats of blu ray movies, that way. You're using a Sony bdp-S550 BD player, which decodes all the formats internally, and sends them out over the 7.1 analog outputs. You'll need to go into the player's setup menus, and set it to "multi-channel analog" as the output priority. Also set speaker distances and levels for player, since it's doing the processing when using analog multi-channel outputs. Then when watching a blu ray movie, set receiver on EXT. IN, instead of DVD, and enjoy.

I think the Denon is an 8 ohm receiver, and as was said before, the LSi9s are 4 ohm speakers, which could be a problem, if you listen to movies or music at loud volumes. Then you'll need an external amp or a new receiver. A friend asked Denon about 4 ohm speakers, with their 8 ohm receivers. Denon told him that if you don't listen to loud volumes, for long periods of time, it shouldn't be a problem. Listen to a movie at your normal volume level. Then lay your hand on top of the receiver to see if it's real hot. If it's not too hot to hold your hand on it, you should be ok.............
Good luck!

strykerpilot66

Thanks for taking the time to explain all the configurations, this is awesome. I just got a late year-end bonus, and unfortunately Fry's is on my way home...long story, short, I am now the proud owner of a Denon AVR-989, so the 1802 gets to go downstairs. I just plugged it in and played a few minutes of Transformers BR before our 4 year old had to go to bed, but those few minutes got me rather fired up for more!

I'm looking forward to suggestions on my new setup, but for now I will see what I can do with the auto-setup and manual tweaking through the weekend, if I can decipher this manual...maybe I'll get lucky and it'll all fall perfectly into place

Thanks again everyone,
Doug

cnh

Doug,

Kudos, the AVR 989 is a very nice receiver. Good power, sound, reliability--in a word qualilty. I have the older AVR 2807 and it was best in class receiver on CNET for that year--the 1000 or so category. The thing is bullet proof. Two years and no failures, problems in sight. It has a lot of the features of its bigger brothers (3808 and 4308). But priced more reasonably.

Good Choice!

cnh