Cant get my sub to hit harder.

Hello everyone! I just got the RM6750 speaker system. I love the speakers but I cant get the sub to be very loud. does anyone know how to fix that? I have a pioneer vsx 819h reciever to go with it. shoudl i look for a setting int he reciever? any help would be great! thanks!
37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
pioneer reviever vsx 819h
polk speaker system rm6750
xbox 360
sony dvd player with upconversion
Post edited by trickles0886 on

Comments

  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2009
    Speakers set to small in the AVR set up? If they're set large, the AVR won't send much signal to the sub. While far from an expert, one thing I have learned so far is that the speaker size setting in the AVR/AMP has absolutely nothing to do with the physical size of the speaker. if you're not sure what I'm talking about, look at the MCACC section of your owner's manual for the Pioneer.

    And welcome to the Club. Enjoy your stay here. Most folks are pretty helpful.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    Thank you very much!!! my speakers are set to small, my amplifier is is 50 watts continuous and a 100 watt dynamic power( i really dont understand what either of those mean). is that why i am not getting much boom out of the sub? i also hookup my roomates 250 watt sub and it didnt do much either.

    thanks!
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited April 2009
    What is the sub you are using? How do you have it connected (line level/speaker or LFE)? What are your crossover settings? How big of a room are you trying to fill? What is your source? For something that seems so easy there is a lot involved with getting correct bass.

    The first mistake I think most make is using too low a performance sub for the size room and expectations they have.
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    it is an 8"sub that came with the set. i have it connected with 2 rca cables coming out of the sub and one going into the reciever(i have a 2 to 1 rca cable) the room is 14'x 14' and the sub is 100 watts.
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    crossover is set at 100
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited April 2009
    The 100Hz cross, is that on the sub or your receiver or both? Does your DVD player, if that is what you are using have any bass management in its menu? 100Hz sounds good for the speaker package. While not a large room, there are not too many 8" 100w subs that will over impress you in it. Try turning up the sub volume in the receiver a little. What is the gain on the sub amp set to? You can also try moving the sub around in the room to see if you can find a better location for it.
  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited April 2009
    "Cant get my sub to hit harder."

    Try taunting it a little first....
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2009
    crossover is set at 100

    Manual for that speaker set says to set the crossover at 120 on the receiver. And, stupid question probably, but is the sub turned up? And is the low-pass knob on the sub turned all the way clockwise?
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    yes both are turned all the way up, and i have the crossover set at 200, my only options are 50, 100,150 and 200. since its only a 100watt sub, will it even be close to being able to raddle the walls and floors?
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2009
    A 14x14 room might be a little big for an 8" 100 watt sub if you want it to "rattle the walls and floors". You should be able to at least get a decent sound out of it.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    ok thats what i thought about an 8" sub i just wanted someone else to tell me that about it. but i also called the tech guy and they told me to plug the sub into my dvd player, and i did that and it was hitting like i was expecting(more than a low rumble at best). so now i just have to figure out the reciever, any ideas if it is a setting or a different place i need to plug it into?. once again thank you everyone very much for your help. i am new to the home theater, it is alot different then car stereos.

    ps. if anyone knows what setting or plug i might want to plug the sub into on the reciever it would be greatly appreciated!!!!
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited April 2009
    Go into the receiver settings. They have a setting for the sub.

    My Yamaha uses the term 'both" for the sub and the towers.

    My Pioneer calls it "plus".

    Whatever it is called I'm pretty sure the the reciever isn't set up to turn the sub on.
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2009
    ps. if anyone knows what setting or plug i might want to plug the sub into on the reciever it would be greatly appreciated!!!!

    Plug into the sub out on the back next to the A speaker connectors. If you're facing the back of the AVR, it should be just to the left next to the zone 2 output.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    thats where it is plugged into. it doesnt do much, but when i plug directly into the red and white on my dvd player it works like it should.
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    An 8" sub isn't going to cut it anywhere.
    Sorry for being blunt.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited April 2009
    Sorry, but you need MORE sub.....:)
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    it hits liek it should when i plug it straight into my dvd player though...
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • CRESCENDOPOWER
    CRESCENDOPOWER Posts: 153
    edited April 2009
    You can adjust the level of each channel including the subwoofer by the on screen menu, or remote control. If you haven’t done that it might be a good idea to try it. Also, try placing the subwoofer in a corner of your room and see if that helps. And, like quadzilla said, “Plug into the sub out on the back next to the A speaker connectors. If you're facing the back of the AVR, it should be just to the left next to the zone 2 output.”
  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited April 2009
    The output on the dvd player is probably higher than the output on the receiver you are plugging the sub into. What make and model receiver are you using and maybe we can tell you exactly what you need to do.

    Do you have the manual that came with the receiver? Some are poorly written but still contain most information you need. You just may need to read it more than once.
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2009
    Have you run the MCACC set up on the receiver? If not, that could make a lot of difference, as one thing it will do is attempt to set all the channel levels to be in correct balance.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited April 2009
    Just saw that you added the receiver to your sig in a later post.

    Make sure you do not have "Midnight Mode" turned on as someone said earlier.
    The sub is plugged into the "Subwoofer PreOut"

    In the "Manual SP Setup Mode" > "Speaker Setting" > "Subwoofer" = YES
    SP setup.JPG

    Note.JPG


    Bass.JPG

    Adjust the sub level

    Level.JPG


    Give these a try and report back your results.
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    i just did those things, and when i do the mcacc it sets my sub to -15dBs. why is the output on my dvd player more than my reciever? and will i run into this same problem with all reciever in the range?
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2009
    i just did those things, and when i do the mcacc it sets my sub to -15dBs. why is the output on my dvd player more than my reciever? and will i run into this same problem with all reciever in the range?

    It thinks the sub is turned up too loud. So here's what I think is happening, and forgive me if it seems I'm being rude, as that's not my intention. I think you expect more bass than what is musically correct. It's something fairly common, as most people seem to like too much bass, at least initially. I was the same way. When I first set up my system, I thought it lacked "punch" in the low end. But then, after listening for a while, I began to notice detail in the low end that I'd never heard before. Now I wouldn't have it any other way. But if you really want a boomy sound, then try the manual set up on the MCACC configuration and just run the sub volume up as loud as it will go without distorting, and that will probably get you the sound you're after, or at least as close as that sub will get.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
  • trickles0886
    trickles0886 Posts: 10
    edited April 2009
    i understand completely. i used to be into car stereos and i understand that. i just wanted a nice little system for my house. i cant afford the big stuff yet, im still in school. i went back through the mcacc settings and since my sub was set on -15db, i turned it up to zero and now it is sounding like i was expecting it too. due to the -15 db the sub was only putting out a very low rumble at best. now that i figured that wout it sounds great! thank you everyone very much for help!
    37" Vizio 720p w/ 1080i
    pioneer reviever vsx 819h
    polk speaker system rm6750
    xbox 360
    sony dvd player with upconversion
  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,047
    edited April 2009
    trickles, i had the exact speakers that you have now. I downgraded to that system after my floorstanders were being climbed on by my kids and i was afraid of them getting hurt. I bought the RM6750 (after selling the RM6005). Neither of those satellite setups worked out for me; there was definitely something (A LOT) missing. I have since went with a bookshelf set-up mounted on the walls with a nice sub and it has me completely satisfied for the time being. A bigger sub will help, but there will still be a lot missing from that set-up IMHO. For the time being, if that's all you can afford, keep it and save up some money. If you can affored to get a new sub, spend a little extra and get a nice one that will carryover to your next system. The last thing you want to do is keep upgrading. YMMV.

    Shawn
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited April 2009
    Glad you got it sounding like you want it to sound. Shawn makes some good points as well.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: Aural Thrills
    Digital: Pioneer DV-79ai
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Evolution 2000
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified