Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K and Polk PSW10 Subwoofer Issues

[thebigsadler]

Complete newbie to the forums. I usually browse AVSForums and stumbled here through a few google searches. I recently purchased some new equipment and did the manual surround setup through the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K receiver. It says it sees the Polk subwoofer and you can hear it when it does audio tests. As soon as I leave the menu and go to my DVR or Bluray player the subwoofer doesn't put out any sound. It's on (green light), but no sound?

If it matters I also have 2x Polk Audio Monitor 60 2-Way floorstanding speakers and the Polk Audio Monitor Series CS1 center channel speaker.

Any help or advice would be great.

Thanks,

Jason

[cnh]

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

It's hard to tell what's wrong if anything from your description. I suggest you put in a Disc like Transformers, Iron Man, etc. and go to a BASS heavy scene and play that. A lot of the time you can barely hear a sub because there isn't much Low Frequency info all the time? Just a thought.

Also, what frequency do you have your sub crossed over at: 60, 80, 100, 120hz, etc.?

cnh

[thebigsadler]

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!

It's hard to tell what's wrong if anything from your description. I suggest you put in a Disc like Transformers, Iron Man, etc. and go to a BASS heavy scene and play that. A lot of the time you can barely hear a sub because there isn't much Low Frequency info all the time? Just a thought.

Also, what frequency do you have your sub crossed over at: 60, 80, 100, 120hz, etc.?

cnh

Thanks for the welcome cnh!

I checked the settings from the auto setup mode and it looks like the sub is at 80hz. From what I can tell... I've flipped through all the surround and stereo modes and it never seems to actually kick on. I've got a green light on the back, but no thump.

I put a lovely rap station on and cranked it, turning the bass volume all the way up on the subwoofer itself.

[cnh]

It seems more than a bit odd that you can hear the sub when you run the test tones but not when you play music?

You don't have the Pioneer running in some PURE AUDIO or DIRECT mode. I'm not that familiar with this Pioneer but some AVRs have these modes and they turn off the sub in order to play in pure 2 channel stereo.

Have you checked the volume control on the back of the sub and turned that up as well? Just guessing at this point.

So let's try some more. Do the Pioneer menus SHOW a SUB active either on the Pio screen or in the speaker menus?

I have an older Pioneer in my basement, I'm going down there and check a few menus?

cnh

[thebigsadler]

It seems more than a bit odd that you can hear the sub when you run the test tones but not when you play music?

You don't have the Pioneer running in some PURE AUDIO or DIRECT mode. I'm not that familiar with this Pioneer but some AVRs have these modes and they turn off the sub in order to play in pure 2 channel stereo.

Have you checked the volume control on the back of the sub and turned that up as well? Just guessing at this point.

So let's try some more. Do the Pioneer menus SHOW a SUB active either on the Pio screen or in the speaker menus?

I have an older Pioneer in my basement, I'm going down there and check a few menus?

cnh

Not on Pure Audio and not on Direct. I see those, but I have it set on the AUTO SURROUND that was setup from the auto mode. Volume control has been cranked on the sub, no difference. Iron Man is on right now and it's cranked.. nothing.

The sub says "YES" when I look in the manual setup.

[cnh]

Got me. I assume you have a sub cable from the Pioneer sub-out to the SUB's LFE in?

As far as I can tell you haven't done anything wrong; the Pioneer does not seem to be sending a signal to the sub during surround processing.

Sounds like a call to Pioneer Customer Service to me? Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe someone who has had a similar problem with this Pioneer will chime in?

cnh

[thebigsadler]

Got me. I assume you have a sub cable from the Pioneer sub-out to the SUB's LFE in?

As far as I can tell you haven't done anything wrong; the Pioneer does not seem to be sending a signal to the sub during surround processing.

Sounds like a call to Pioneer Customer Service to me? Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe someone who has had a similar problem with this Pioneer will chime in?

cnh

The PSW10 doesn't have an LFE in, it has the Line In (two RCAs). In the book it says to pick R or L and run the subwoofer cable to the PRE OUT (subwoofer). I also had a Y-splitter and plugged that into the Line In (sub) and then the sub cable into that.

[cnh]

As long as you're hearing a sound coming out of that sub during the test tones and it's about the same level as the rest of your system, I can't see how this would be the subs fault.

Do you have anything else you could hook the sub up to...another receiver? Or maybe a friend has one. Try that just to make 100 percent sure there is no problem with the sub. Then it's probably a Pioneer problem? Those Pios have a one year warranty. So you should be OK if you just bought it?

cnh

[thebigsadler]

As long as you're hearing a sound coming out of that sub during the test tones and it's about the same level as the rest of your system, I can't see how this would be the subs fault.

Do you have anything else you could hook the sub up to...another receiver? Or maybe a friend has one. Try that just to make 100 percent sure there is no problem with the sub. Then it's probably a Pioneer problem? Those Pios have a one year warranty. So you should be OK if you just bought it?

cnh

will do, thanks for the help.

[djperez81]

If you getting sound from test tone then it sounds like you may have to check the settings on your pioneer. try checking the manual for troubleshooting tipss. Good luck.

[Cooey]

Don't forget to turn the crossover on the sub all the way to 180.

[thebigsadler]

If you getting sound from test tone then it sounds like you may have to check the settings on your pioneer. try checking the manual for troubleshooting tipss. Good luck.

I looked through the manual... wasn't too helpful.

Don't forget to turn the crossover on the sub all the way to 180.

yep, did that from the start.

[djperez81]

i think your best bet is to test the sub on another system

[thebigsadler]

i think your best bet is to test the sub on another system

easier said than done

[lessthanzero]

When you ran your audio calibration did the Pioneer set all your speakers to "large"? If so, that may be why the sub is not kicking in.....?? My Pioneer Elite does that to me, so I go back into the menu and select "small" and rerun the calibration with the speakers set to "small". Actually, the system sounds good either way......?? But, the sub works when my speakers are set to "small".

[thebigsadler]

When you ran your audio calibration did the Pioneer set all your speakers to "large"? If so, that may be why the sub is not kicking in.....?? My Pioneer Elite does that to me, so I go back into the menu and select "small" and rerun the calibration with the speakers set to "small". Actually, the system sounds good either way......?? But, the sub works when my speakers are set to "small".

I did notice the towers were set to large and the center set to small. I guess I could try that...?

[djperez81]

i pulled up your manual on pdf check this out and see if this will help
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/St...ctions0128.pdf

[djperez81]

got to page 104

[Dandydan]

I am running a PSW 125 on my 1019 and it works great even on 2 channel - I use a sub cable at 50 feet also

[thebigsadler]

WAAAHOOOOO!!!! This did it. Sheesh, finally.

Thank you so much everyone, this forum is fantastic. Time to watch something action packed......

When you ran your audio calibration did the Pioneer set all your speakers to "large"? If so, that may be why the sub is not kicking in.....?? My Pioneer Elite does that to me, so I go back into the menu and select "small" and rerun the calibration with the speakers set to "small". Actually, the system sounds good either way......?? But, the sub works when my speakers are set to "small".

[djperez81]

Im glad to see you got it working

[cnh]

Congratulations....you learn something everyday? Both my Onkyos and Denon don't do that, nor does my older Pioneer? But the problem is solved so who cares!

Enjoy

cnh