Low Sound/Bass From Subwoofer

[bigmerf]

Hello!

I recently purchased a new Polk Audio DSWpro500 Subwoofer. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that this subwoofer is one of the better ones out there - and for the price I paid I expect nothing short of the best. Now, what I'm finding is that when hooking it up to my receiver from the "subwoofer out" port (using Monster cable) and connecting to the LFE input to the subwoofer port on the the back I'm not getting that deep "boom" base that I expect. I also have a Y-adapter where I tried connecting the alternate Line-In (L & R) as well. Still, the bass is very low and almost non-existent. This is true for all TV programs and even BluRay DVD's!!!!

In the past I had a KLH ASW10-120B sub that absolutely "hit" and "boomed" like no other. It recently took a turn for the worse and I've since had to retire it. When I purchased this new sub, I expected the same results. But this is not the case.

The "hit" and "deep bass" or "boom" is pretty much non-existent. I have the volume set all the way up to the highest setting and have tried adjusting the PRO optimizer, the phase, the volume even the connection on the back but nothing gives me that good "boom" that I'm looking for? For such a pricey sub, I expected to shake the house much like my KLH used to.

All the settings on my receiver are the same as before. The subwoofer is set to "Yes" in the control panel of the receiver. The bass settings are turned all the way up and I have the front speakers set to "small". Everything is the same as before. Is my receiver too old and not producing enough wattage to make the sub work like it should?

I have a Sony STR-DE675 with Dolby Digital and DTS Surround. It's older but not extremely old. Is the sub I bought compatible with my receiver, or do I need to purchase a whole new receiver to get the best experience? Here are the receiver specs:

Product Details and Features
Product MPN
MPN str-de675
Key Features
Type Receiver
Number of Channels 5.1 Channels
Stereo Mode Power 100 Watt @ 8 ohm, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, THD: 0.09%
Surround Mode Power 100 Watt @ 8 ohm, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, THD: 0.09%
Surround Sound Dolby Digital® • DTS® • Dolby Pro Logic II
THX Certification No
DSP
DSP Processor Type(s) 32 bit Processor x 1
DSP Modes Game • Hall • Jazz • Virtual
Inputs / Outputs
Rear Input Connectors RCA (2 Audio Channels) x 7 • Digital Coaxial x 1 • Digital Optical x 3 • Composite (Video) x 4 • S-Video x 3
Rear Output Connectors Digital Optical x 1 • Composite (Video) x 1 • S-Video x 2
Front A/V Connections Headphones x 1
Surround Analog Inputs 5.1 Channels x 1
Convenience
Speaker Impedance 8 Ohm • 16 Ohm
Tuner Presets 30 Channels
Remote Control
Remote Control Type Universal
Design Keypad
Dimensions
Width 17 in.
Depth 12.25 in.
Height 6.25 in.
Weight 16.5 lb.
Warranty
Warranty 2 Years
Miscellaneous
Included Accessories AA Batteries x 2 • AM Loop Antenna • FM Wire Antenna • Remote Control
Power Consumption 210 Watt
Product ID 7785


Any help would be fantastic. I REALLY want the best home theater experience as possible!

Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

Sorry to say it, but Polk's glaring weak point is their subs. Your receiver has nothing to do with it, since it does not provide any power to the sub. One thing that you should look at are the settings for the sub in the receiver, as those settings for your old sub may not be correct for the new one.

 

[Joeteck]

I have two the the KLH ASW10-120B's, and love them. Many people say why did you get a POS like that? My sub amp blew out on me, and I picked up a new one at parts express, where I was able to keep my ol' KLH sub. I've heard that both JBL and polk have weak subs..why? dunno. Maybe you did not turn on the sub on the receiver or its on "Auto" and never turns on.

 

[no. 5]

The "hit" and "deep bass" or "boom" is pretty much non-existent. I have the volume set all the way up to the highest setting and have tried adjusting the PRO optimizer, the phase, the volume even the connection on the back but nothing gives me that good "boom" that I'm looking for? For such a pricey sub, I expected to shake the house much like my KLH used to.

If you play pink noise and walk about your room, are there some locations where there is good bass?

 

[bigmerf]

Hmmmmmmm, I'm thinking that my amp blew out on me for my KLH sub. I love that sub too! It works fantastic for me!! Do you have a website for the "Parts Express" store you spoke of? Maybe I'll just buy a new amp and be done with it.

I did make sure that the subwoofer is set to "on" on the receiver and on the actual subwoofer itself. It doesn't "hit" at all. How frustrating....... The sound is the best part of a movie wouldn't you agree??? AHHHHH!!!!

Looks like I have to return another Sub to the store.......

 

[bigmerf]

I played a movie (Star Wars) and other selected BluRay DVD's where I KNOW there was bass during specific scenes. I walked around the room everywhere and yes there was a difference in the loudness in some cases, but minimal at best. There still is no "hit" and "boom" that I was accustomed to hearing with the old KLH sub I had. Any ideas? I'm just concerned the my receiver is compatible with the new sub. Or does Polk just suck and that's all there is to it?

 

[Joeteck]

I like the THX test files, located here: http://sinan.ussakli.net/basstest

Download all THX files and burn them to CD, and have fun...

All of them are good, those I like the best.

 

[Joeteck]

Hmmmmmmm, I'm thinking that my amp blew out on me for my KLH sub. I love that sub too! It works fantastic for me!! Do you have a website for the "Parts Express" store you spoke of? Maybe I'll just buy a new amp and be done with it.

I did make sure that the subwoofer is set to "on" on the receiver and on the actual subwoofer itself. It doesn't "hit" at all. How frustrating....... The sound is the best part of a movie wouldn't you agree??? AHHHHH!!!!



Looks like I have to return another Sub to the store.......

I agree 1000%. Too bad Costco does not sell these anymore, otherwise I would pick up another one, as a spare.. I think I paid $99 for mine.

http://www.partsexpress.com. they have the amp that you need. Simple plug and play. Remove old, and put new in. Easy stuff.

EDIT: This is the one you need. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-804

Make measurements to be sure, but I'm almost positive thats the one you need. - Joe

 

[lsiberian]

I agree 1000%. Too bad Costco does not sell these anymore, otherwise I would pick up another one, as a spare.. I think I paid $99 for mine.

http://www.partsexpress.com. they have the amp that you need. Simple plug and play. Remove old, and put new in. Easy stuff.

EDIT: This is the one you need. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-804

Make measurements to be sure, but I'm almost positive thats the one you need. - Joe

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-750

This one above is way better than the one you suggested.


A bash amp for 120 that's a steal.

However I you can try adjusting your sub settings and your gain.

http://www.oaudio.com/300W_SUBAMP.html is also a good option. and preferred IMO

 

[Joeteck]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-750

This one above is way better than the one you suggested.


A bash amp for 120 that's a steal.

However I you can try adjusting your sub settings and your gain.

Better or not, it will not fit in his sub box. Need to fit exactly.

 

[croseiv]

That sub should be louder than what you describe. You should verify that you have it set up properly. Start by reading the manual.. You can boost the sub's level in your AVR and turn the sub's volume up.

 

[bigmerf]

Joeteck,

For the link that you provided, have you purchase this amp as a replacement as well? And it worked for you? It fit your box just fine? I think I might order this if so.

Thanks for the help!

 

[lsiberian]

Better or not, it will not fit in his sub box. Need to fit exactly.

he could also use a Behringer or an external amp. Then just add a nice peice of mdf or birch ply to the amp section area.

That would give him a lot of power.

Still I think the reall issue is setup related. My sub can easily fill a normal room with enough gain.

 

[no. 5]

I played a movie (Star Wars) and other selected BluRay DVD's where I KNOW there was bass during specific scenes. I walked around the room everywhere and yes there was a difference in the loudness in some cases, but minimal at best. There still is no "hit" and "boom" that I was accustomed to hearing with the old KLH sub I had. Any ideas? I'm just concerned the my receiver is compatible with the new sub. Or does Polk just suck and that's all there is to it?

I doubt that it's a compatibility issue, but something isn't right, almost any sub should boom if the volume is up all the way. For what it's worth, in room acoustic measurements would shine light on what exactly is missing.

If you were wondering why I asked about the sound in other parts of the room, room acoustics make it wholly possible to place the subwoofer or listener in a location that makes bass sounds low.

 

[lsiberian]

I doubt that it's a compatibility issue, but something isn't right, almost any sub should boom if the volume is up all the way. For what it's worth, in room acoustic measurements would shine light on what exactly is missing.

If you were wondering why I asked about the sound in other parts of the room, room acoustics make it wholly possible to place the subwoofer or listener in a location that makes bass sounds low.

Yes do the crawl test.

Place the sub and in your seating position.

And then crawl around along the areas you can put your sub. Find the place that sounds the best to you. And switch positions with the sub. Whalla! You have just placed your sub.

Make sure it's plugged into the right output.

Does it have speaker line level inputs by chance? You could run the LR speakers large and then run them off the sub. It might fix the issue if you have a faulty solder on one of the RCA jacks.

 

[bigmerf]

When turning on the Radio Tuner and playing CD's the sub hits like it should. The problem exists when watching a movie or just a regular TV show. The sub is connected properly and the settings on my receiver are correct. Something isn't right when decoding bass through a video signal perhaps (i.e. Cable TV, DVD, etc...etc...)

The old KLH sub that I had in place of the new Polk had mad bass even when just watching a basketball game or when a slick commercial came on during a break. It was especially raw when watching BluRay DVD's.

Any suggestions? I think I might try purchasing a new amp for my KLH and trying that out.......

 

[croseiv]

When turning on the Radio Tuner and playing CD's the sub hits like it should. The problem exists when watching a movie or just a regular TV show. The sub is connected properly and the settings on my receiver are correct. Something isn't right when decoding bass through a video signal perhaps (i.e. Cable TV, DVD, etc...etc...)

This problem resides with your AVR set up, I'm fairly certain.

 

[MatthewB.]

I disagree, the problem is the sub. I like Polk speakers, but their subs are the absolute worst. I would use the polk sub as a good mid bass sub and have it crossed over at 40Hz to a decent sub. The polks are known to drop pretty hard around 35Hz so using it as a good mid bass sub would be good. I have tested many subs and I have found one of the worst has been the Polks compared to other store bought subs. Granted I would buy an ID sub to get that punch you lack, but since you already own the Polk might as well use it along with a decent sub.

I currently use my Supercube 1's built into my DT BP7001sc as mid bass drivers since they drop off fast around 30Hz and the supercubes are far better than the Polks. But then I have the SVS to pick up where the Supercubes drop off.

 

[croseiv]

I disagree, the problem is the sub. I like Polk speakers, but their subs are the absolute worst.

.

Actually, their subs are pretty good, especially the newer stuff thats's out. I think it's really difficult to be so certain that it's the sub "only" based on the facts that have been given. It could be the sub, but it may be a set-up issue as well.

It is suspect that he is getting good response with his tuner/CD's, but not video (DVD etc).

 

[dcshoeman2k4]

The best thing I can think of for you to do to easily see if the problem is with your receiver's settings or the sub itself is to completely bypass your receiver for a quick sound check.

Grab one of your movies and pick a scene where you know there is good bass, (or whatever frequency it is your striving to hear) Then bypass your receiver by plugging in the RCA cables directly from your DVD/Blu-Ray player into your subwoofer. Make sure the gain is all the way down, and slowly turn it up as the scene plays. If you hear what you like, then perhaps the problem resides with your receiver. If you don't hear what you like, then you are either expecting to much from your sub, or there is a problem with it (loose connection, bad driver or whatever) By doing it this way you are making sure that you are getting "reference" sound level into the woofer with out any cross overs or other settings interfering.