Pioneer VSX-9040TXH and Polk PSW 505

Pappy1

I just joined the Club Polk, and recently purchased a Polk PSW505 subwoofer. I am a novice at things audio. I am trying to connect the 505 to my new Pioneer 9040 through the Pio's subwoofer PRE OUT to the 505's LFE IN (Unfilitered). My other speakers are small satellites (please don't laugh too hard), and are from a 10-year old Pioneer HTIB system. I ran the old HTIB subwoofer with the 9040 with the same cable setup with no problem. In trying to use the 505, I get nothing from it. I ran Auto MCACC, with all speakers set to small, LFE set to 0db, and tried the crossover at both 100 HZ and 150 HZ settings. MCACC does not recognize the 505 - It tells me no subwoofer is connected. I then tell it the 505 is present. I continue running MCACC. An information box pops up with this message, "Subwoofer level is too low. Please turn volume up your subwoofer." After running MCACC several times and reading numerous threads, this "newbie" still doesn't have a clue. Can anyone tell me what I'm missing? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Pappy1's Home Theater SetUp:

Pioneer VSX 9040TXH AVR
Polk PSW 505 subwoofer
Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
Panasonic DMP-BD605
DirectTV HD satellite box
Center, L, R, SL, and SR from old Pioneer HTB 209 HTIB

Pappy1

Hi xcapri!

Thank you for the reply and for the "welcome". Club Polk seems like a neat place. The PSW 505 is plugged in and the AC Mains power switch is in the ON position. I have tried the 3-position power switch in both the Auto and ON positions - no difference. The Power Light is green. The RCA cable is secure at both ends. I have tried the volume at the 12 O'clock position and turned up all the way - again no luck.

Thank you again for the reply.
_________________________

Pappy1's Home Theater SetUp:

Pioneer VSX 9040TXH AVR
Polk PSW 505 subwoofer
Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
Panasonic DMP-BD605
DirectTV HD satellite box
Center, L, R, SL, and SR from old Pioneer HTB 209 HTIB

Pappy1

Hi xcapri79!

My speakers are set to Small. There is a Plus setting on the 9040 for the subwoofer. I had the speakers set to Large for one trial, but I did not think to set the subwoofer to Plus at the same time. I will set the speakers to Large and the subwoofer to Plus tomorrow and let you know how it turned out. (I have yet to hear any sound from the 505 during the MCACCsetup or at any other time.)

Discouraged but not defeated.

Pappy1

Pappy1

Hello xcapri79!

I tried setting the speakers to Large with the sub at Plus. Still no recognition of the sub by the 9040, and no sound from the sub. I tried a different RCA cable, still no luck. I hooked my old sub back up to the 9040, and it produces sound just like it did before I tried the Polk 505. Other than RMAing the Polk back to Newegg, I don't know what to do. Thank you again for your time and suggestions. Hope that you have a great week!

Pappy1

dl090465

Jeez, I just ordered one of those today, it was too cheap to pass up...I hope mine works....

Good luck with yours.....

Pappy1

Hi dl090465!

I also hope that you have a better experience than I have had so far. How do you like your fronts and center? (I'm still using small satellites that came with and old HTIB.)

Pappy1

Pioneer VSX 9040TXH AVR
Polk PSW 505 subwoofer (not "in the house" yet)
Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
Panasonic DMP-BD605
DirectTV HD satellite box
Center, L, R, SL, and SR from old Pioneer HTB 209 HTIB

BruceOrlando

dl090465 wrote: »

Jeez, I just ordered one of those today, it was too cheap to pass up...I hope mine works....

Good luck with yours.....

I'm in the same boat as dl090465. Ordered it from NewEgg and it is due to get here tomorrow. I also just got two Monitor 60's and two Monitor 30's which arrived yesterday in fine shape.

Must say that I am pleased so far, though a little nervous now about the PSW505.

How has NewEgg treated you on your 505 sub problem, Pappy1? Any word?

-bruce

dl090465

BruceOrlando wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as dl090465. Ordered it from NewEgg and it is due to get here tomorrow. I also just got two Monitor 60's and two Monitor 30's which arrived yesterday in fine shape.

Must say that I am pleased so far, though a little nervous now about the PSW505.

How has NewEgg treated you on your 505 sub problem, Pappy1? Any word?

-bruce

mine comes tomorrow as well, i hope it works...

Pappy1

BruceOrlando wrote: »

I'm in the same boat as dl090465. Ordered it from NewEgg and it is due to get here tomorrow. I also just got two Monitor 60's and two Monitor 30's which arrived yesterday in fine shape.

Must say that I am pleased so far, though a little nervous now about the PSW505.

How has NewEgg treated you on your 505 sub problem, Pappy1? Any word?

-bruce

Hi Bruce!

I just RMA'd mine yesterday back to Newegg. Once Newegg receives it they will ship me a replacement. I don't know how long it will take them to do that. Hopefully you will not have my problem. How do you like your Monitor 60s and 30s? Sounds like a neat setup!

Best Wishes!

Pappy1

BruceOrlando

Pappy1 wrote: »

Hi Bruce!
I just RMA'd mine yesterday back to Newegg. Once Newegg receives it they will ship me a replacement. I don't know how long it will take them to do that. Hopefully you will not have my problem. How do you like your Monitor 60s and 30s? Sounds like a neat setup!

Best Wishes!

Pappy1

Pappy1, be sure to let us know how long it takes NewEgg to make good.

Thanks. I am really digging them. I started with two M20's and two R15's that I was pushing with an old Kenwood VR407 was part of a HTIB in 2001. I replaced the sub with a PSW350 in 2002, then Kenwood's paper speakers with the Polk's. It was decent for rmovies, but music was pretty horrid.

The Kenwood finally died last month and I replaced it with a Pioneer 1019AH-K, which really opened up the speakers. CD's and even the iPOD started sounded much better, so I decided it was time to upgrade the whole kit and kaboodle.

Wifey would freak if I spent too much money, so the Monitors are a great compromise. I got the rears hung last night on new mounts and she actually likes the way the faux cherry finish looks. Our family room has wood floors and an A-frame ceiling with cedar beams so they are a nice match, and they sound just killer.

The PSW350 has been a great no-frills sub, but it's seen better days. A housekeeper broke the volume knob off sweeping behind it, and it's a relic from my bachelor days when I used to smoke in my apartment. I figure the sub's driver is getting like me -- old and tired!

-bruce

dl090465

I just got my PSW505 from Newegg today and it works!!! What a sub....it hits nice and hard, a bargain at $249 shipped !!!!

dl090465

Pappy1 wrote: »

Hi dl090465!

I also hope that you have a better experience than I have had so far. How do you like your fronts and center? (I'm still using small satellites that came with and old HTIB.)

Pappy1

Pioneer VSX 9040TXH AVR
Polk PSW 505 subwoofer (not "in the house" yet)
Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
Panasonic DMP-BD605
DirectTV HD satellite box
Center, L, R, SL, and SR from old Pioneer HTB 209 HTIB

I am in love with all my fronts and centers and rears, just because the stuff is quite a few years old does not mean anything. These setups are so much better than the choices we have today, and when you can find them used, in excellent condition, and at bargain basement prices, how can anyone go wrong???

Room 1:
Harmon Kardon AVR 330
Polk RT2000p's Front
Polk CS400i Center
Polk FX 1000's Rear
Klipsch SUB 10

Room 2:
Harmon Kardon AVR 330
Polk RTi100's Front
Polk CS400i Center
Polk FXi30's
Polk PSW 120 front
Polk PSW 505 rear

BruceOrlando

dl090465 wrote: »

I just got my PSW505 from Newegg today and it works!!! What a sub....it hits nice and hard, a bargain at $249 shipped !!!!

Glad yours got there OK. Mine did likewise, and is sounding and looking fine. What a beast. Quite a bit larger than the PSW350 and a tighter squeeze.

-bruce

Pappy1

BruceOrlando wrote: »

Pappy1, be sure to let us know how long it takes NewEgg to make good.

Thanks. I am really digging them. I started with two M20's and two R15's that I was pushing with an old Kenwood VR407 was part of a HTIB in 2001. I replaced the sub with a PSW350 in 2002, then Kenwood's paper speakers with the Polk's. It was decent for rmovies, but music was pretty horrid.

The Kenwood finally died last month and I replaced it with a Pioneer 1019AH-K, which really opened up the speakers. CD's and even the iPOD started sounded much better, so I decided it was time to upgrade the whole kit and kaboodle.

Wifey would freak if I spent too much money, so the Monitors are a great compromise. I got the rears hung last night on new mounts and she actually likes the way the faux cherry finish looks. Our family room has wood floors and an A-frame ceiling with cedar beams so they are a nice match, and they sound just killer.

The PSW350 has been a great no-frills sub, but it's seen better days. A housekeeper broke the volume knob off sweeping behind it, and it's a relic from my bachelor days when I used to smoke in my apartment. I figure the sub's driver is getting like me -- old and tired!

-bruce

Thanks for the info Bruce. I envy you your setup. I'm still working off of old HTIB satellites and no wood floors.... Financially I can't justify replacing them yet, but just listening to the Olympics tonight, and the associated commercials, reminded me of how strained and shallow they sound. I am going to keep your speaker selections in mind. It was also good to know that your other half approved!

I will let you know what happens with Newegg's RMA process. I was notified this afternoon that they had received the returned PSW 505. Now they say that they have to inspect it before they can ship out a replacement. I'm hopeful that they will ship to me in a business day or two.

Have a great weekend!

Pappy1

Pappy1

dl090465 wrote: »

I am in love with all my fronts and centers and rears, just because the stuff is quite a few years old does not mean anything. These setups are so much better than the choices we have today, and when you can find them used, in excellent condition, and at bargain basement prices, how can anyone go wrong???

Room 1:
Harmon Kardon AVR 330
Polk RT2000p's Front
Polk CS400i Center
Polk FX 1000's Rear
Klipsch SUB 10

Room 2:
Harmon Kardon AVR 330
Polk RTi100's Front
Polk CS400i Center
Polk FXi30's
Polk PSW 120 front
Polk PSW 505 rear

Hi dl090465!

Thank you for the response. It did not occur to me to investigate purchasing used speakers (I don't know why)! Since you are enjoying yours so much I will have to look into that option. Right now I'm waiting on my replacement PSW 505 though. Anxious to hear what a difference it will make.

May you have a great weekend.

Pappy1

Pappy1

Hello Everyone,

I have good news to report. Newegg granted my RMA and shipped me my replacement 505 last Wednesday. With work, etc. I wasn't able to test it until last night. So far so good. I heard a very faint high pitch whisper from the 505 when I powered it up. Other than that it has run fine, and no hum either! Last week my wife agreed to us purchasing a CS2 and a pair of Monitor 60s. I'm using the Monitors as my fronts for the time being and a pair of very small HTIB satellites as my rears. The CS2, 60s, and the 505 sound great to my ears. So far the WAF has been OK. Eventually I would like to move the 60's to the rear and buy a pair of Monitor 70s. We will see how that plan goes. I still do not know exactly what was wrong with my original 505 - Oh well. The only downside to the RMA was that I had to pay to have a defective piece of equipment sent back to Newegg. Thank you to xcapri79, BruceOrlando, and dl090465 for their advice and support! Club Polk is a great forum.

Pappy1

Pioneer VSX 9040TXH AVR
Polk PSW 505 subwoofer
Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
Panasonic DMP-BD605
DirectTV HD satellite box
Center CS2
L & R Polk Monitor 60s
SL & SR from old Pioneer HTB 209 HTIB

dl090465

Pappy1 wrote: »

Hello Everyone,

I have good news to report. Newegg granted my RMA and shipped me my replacement 505 last Wednesday. With work, etc. I wasn't able to test it until last night. So far so good. I heard a very faint high pitch whisper from the 505 when I powered it up. Other than that it has run fine, and no hum either! Last week my wife agreed to us purchasing a CS2 and a pair of Monitor 60s. I'm using the Monitors as my fronts for the time being and a pair of very small HTIB satellites as my rears. The CS2, 60s, and the 505 sound great to my ears. So far the WAF has been OK. Eventually I would like to move the 60's to the rear and buy a pair of Monitor 70s. We will see how that plan goes. I still do not know exactly what was wrong with my original 505 - Oh well. The only downside to the RMA was that I had to pay to have a defective piece of equipment sent back to Newegg. Thank you to xcapri79, BruceOrlando, and dl090465 for their advice and support! Club Polk is a great forum.

Pappy1

Pioneer VSX 9040TXH AVR
Polk PSW 505 subwoofer
Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
Panasonic DMP-BD605
DirectTV HD satellite box
Center CS2
L & R Polk Monitor 60s
SL & SR from old Pioneer HTB 209 HTIB

Glad to hear.....this PSW505 really is good !!!!

Pappy1

Hello Everyone! Thanks to the help and encouragement of xcapri79, cnh, dl090465, BruceOrlando, and others my system is up and running fine. For the connection between the Pioneer AVR and the sub I'm using a cable from a Costco HT cable pack, and ti seems to work fine. I'm finding Club Polk to be an extremely helpful site, from info on basic system components and setup, which I desperately need, to info regarding HTPCs - which I don't have yet but would like to build someday. This site is so convincing, that I have caught the audio "sickness"! NewEgg put the M70s on sale again recently, so with my wife's agreement we purchased two of them! (She told me that she liked the way that the front "mesh" on the the Polks covered up the "round thingies" on the front of the speakers! So the WAF is at least good at the moment. Now the 70's are in front, the 60s in the rear, the CS2 in the center, with the 505 providing the bass. I'm using LFE from the Pioneer VSX-9040TXH AVR to the PSW 505 sub with the AVR's crossover set at 80Hz. I may try to experiment with the crossover setting some more. My living room where the system is set up opens up into a hallway and into the dining area, and from there into the kitchen. The total square footage approaches 550 ft2. Between the Polk speakers, the 9040txh, and the panasonic BD605, I'm hearing things like doors closing, shell casings falling to the ground ("Silverado" opening sequence) and the French horns and strings in the "West-Wing" TV series like I've never heard them before. Music sounds so much fuller and more accurate. wutadumsn23 - Your comments about the POLK sound and quality helped me to choose Polk and to complete my rig - I'm hearing what you were telling everyone in the threads! What a difference from my old HTIB! I can hardly wait to get upstairs and listen to the system some more!

If anyone has any suggestions for tweaking/improvement please feel free to comment.

May everyone enjoy what is left of the weekend!

Pappy1

AVR - Pioneer VSX 9040TXH
Subwoofer - Polk PSW 505
TV - Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
BD - Panasonic DMP-BD605
Cable - CableOne HD DVR
Center - CS2
Fronts - Polk Monitor 70s
Rears - Polk Monitor 60s

BruceOrlando

Congrats on the new purchase(s), Pappy1. Glad that the replacement sub is working out!

Was also tempted on the recent Monitor 70 sale, but the 60's are working out and I'm really pleased with them overall.

Good luck with your new hobby!

dl090465

BruceOrlando wrote: »

Congrats on the new purchase(s), Pappy1. Glad that the replacement sub is working out!

Was also tempted on the recent Monitor 70 sale, but the 60's are working out and I'm really pleased with them overall.

Good luck with your new hobby!

+ 1 on Good luck with your new hobby !!!!! It can get expensive....

Pappy1

Hi Bruce,

Thanks for the well wishes! Like you, I am really enjoying the PSW 505 (and the Monitors)! Having decent speakers really opens up the whole listening experience. Now I just have to get everything adjusted.

Best wishes,

Pappy

AVR - Pioneer VSX 9040TXH
Subwoofer - Polk PSW 505
TV - Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
BD - Panasonic DMP-BD605
Cable - CableOne HD DVR
Center - CS2
Fronts - Polk Monitor 70s
Rears - Polk Monitor 60s

Pappy1

Hi dl090465!

I appreciate your encouragement. You are absolutely correct, it can get expensive. I will have to exercise self-discipline.

Take care,

appy

AVR - Pioneer VSX 9040TXH
Subwoofer - Polk Audio PSW 505
TV - Samsung HL-T6756W DLP
BD - Panasonic DMP-BD605
Cable - CableOne HD DVR
Center - Polk Audio CS2
Fronts - Polk Audio Monitor 70s
Rears - Polk Audio Monitor 60s