Onkyo shuts off when sound is loud

[shartrax]

I have an Onkyo HT-R320 (about 3 years old[?]) that has always clicked off at the most exciting part of a movie! I could deal with it before, but have just invested in an 50-inch HDTV and a blu-ray player - and figure i should be able to enjoy the explosions in my action movies!

i have gone over manual and website -and can't find an answer. i'm a total neophyte - can someone point me towards an answer?? thanks!!

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Sounds like your Onkyo is going into a protection mode. What speakers (make and model) do you have hooked up to it?

Adam

 

[shartrax]

Thanks for the response:
the speakers came w/unit - I'm sorry but don't know what info you need - Onkyo's Center 320c, 2 surrounds 320s, 2 front 320f and a subwoofer 320x. they all have 3-1/8 in cones, are 100w & 8ohm.

i've seen the term 'protection mode' before - can it be disabled? it's ridiculous how low the sound has to be to stop it from shutting down!

 

[Midcow2]

Check for Whisker Short!

Thanks for the response:
the speakers came w/unit - I'm sorry but don't know what info you need - Onkyo's Center 320c, 2 surrounds 320s, 2 front 320f and a subwoofer 320x. they all have 3-1/8 in cones, are 100w & 8ohm.

i've seen the term 'protection mode' before - can it be disabled? it's ridiculous how low the sound has to be to stop it from shutting down!

Have you recently moved your system ? If so , you might have gotten a whisker short ( one of the wire strands shorting out you speaker terminal posts). Sometimes a whisker short will work at low volume and go into protection mode at higher volume.

First look at all you speaker connections on the back of your receiver and on the back of each speaker. If you find a connection that is sloppy or has a possible whisker short; fix it and if the problem goes away GREAT!

If they all look good , then perform the following step:

Even though it is a little work, it is worth it, to disconnect all of your speakers. Then connect them back one at a time and test the volume.
Then you can isolate if a specific speaker or a specific speaker connection or the wire to a specific speaker is bad.

Good Luck!

MidCow2

P.S.- I one time had a very similar problem caused by a whisker short on the center speaker after a movement/repositioning of HT equipment.

 

[markw]

Several observations

I have an Onkyo HT-R320 (about 3 years old[?]) that has always clicked off at the most exciting part of a movie! I could deal with it before, but have just invested in an 50-inch HDTV and a blu-ray player - and figure i should be able to enjoy the explosions in my action movies!

i have gone over manual and website -and can't find an answer. i'm a total neophyte - can someone point me towards an answer?? thanks!!

Assuming you don't find a short in the wires:

You say you've had this problem, but only on rare occasions. You may be running into the limitations of the system itself as to how much volume it can pump out. It is, after all, only a HTIB and they are not top-of-the-line systems capable of high volume levels.

From the bolded part of your post, I assume that you've only now really, really started to ask this thing to pump out da noize and are running into that limitation you've always had, only by turning it up more, you're just encountering it's limit more often.

Remember, you upgraded the picture, not the sound system. It may be time to upgrade that as well.

 

[Rickster71]

Sounds like you're in capable hands shartrax.

If you don't have the 'whisker short' that was mentioned.
My question is how hot the unit is getting; and if it's well ventilated?
Frankly, the specs may say 100 Watts per channel; though I doubt if it puts out half that, cleanly.
This unit sounds like it gets too hot, when pushed to play loud bass.

I have to agree with Mark on this one. Sounds like time for an upgrade.

 

[shartrax]

to Markw - i'm afraid you're right about needing to upgrade :~(

to Midcow2 - i'm definately going to try your suggestions - but my wires don't have whisker shorts - they have 'dog chewed through and now they're twisted together lying on the floor' shorts - i'm leaving to buy new wire and re-run (and run where doggies can't nibble!) Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

[shartrax]

the unit doesn't get hot - warm maybe. great suggestions though - (shoulda thought about the shorts b4)

no doubt about needing upgrading - but will be a couple of months - new wire, here i come!

THANKS TO ALL - this forum rocks!!

 

[Rickster71]

the unit doesn't get hot - warm maybe. great suggestions though - (shoulda thought about the shorts b4)

- new wire, here i come!

New wire and a chew toy for the dog.

 

[Midcow2]

Very good place to buy wire; quick delivery -monoprice

to Markw - i'm afraid you're right about needing to upgrade :~(

to Midcow2 - i'm definately going to try your suggestions - but my wires don't have whisker shorts - they have 'dog chewed through and now they're twisted together lying on the floor' shorts - i'm leaving to buy new wire and re-run (and run where doggies can't nibble!) Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Shartrax- Here is a very good place to buy wire with fast delivery.
http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp


also see: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

 

[Midcow2]

Good boy!

New wire and a chew toy for the dog.

LOL - My previous Golden chewed a Sears Lifetime hose into 1' lenghts. This one, Rocko, is give plenty to chew and we get along great

Give a dog something to chew or he will find something

Gotta go, he is taking me to the store to get some more CHEWIES

 

[shartrax]

AMAZING!
Just finished replacing old wires with new (no doubt better) 16 gauge wire - now i'm operating at full volume - thanks to all posters - I'm glad to have found you all! Happy listening!

 

[alexsound]

AMAZING!
Just finished replacing old wires with new (no doubt better) 16 gauge wire - now i'm operating at full volume - thanks to all posters - I'm glad to have found you all! Happy listening!

Now you just need keep the dog away from the cables.