Assistance with Onkyo SR 608

[serial8]

Hi everyone… I hope I'm not posting something that's been gone through a hundred times.

I have an Onkyo TX-SR608 receiver and am having someone difficulty setting it up to get he best sound from it. I pretty much just watch music DVD's and Blu-rays, anything from Country to Heavy Metal. I've tried the Audessy setup and have had some success but not to the extent that I'm after. I think part of my problem is my sub, it's a muddy sounding sub. I'm after more punch than muffled bass.

Here is what I have:

Onkyo 608
Sony Blu-ray Player (BDP-S360 me thinks)

Infinity P252 - 2-Way Dual 5-1/4" Floorstanding rears

* Frequency Response (3dB): 49Hz - 20kHz
* Recommended Power Amplifier Range: 10 - 150 Watts
* Crossover Frequency(ies): 2,500Hz; 24dB/octave
* Dimensions (HWD): 35-3/4 X 7-3/8 X 11-3/4 In.


Infinity PC250 2 Way 5.25 Center Ch Spk
# frequency Response (3dB): 80Hz - 20kHz
# Recommended Power Amplifier Range: 10 - 150 Watts
# Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m): 90dB
# Crossover Frequency(ies): 3,000Hz; 24dB/octave

PS210 Powered Sub 10"
Frequency Response (±3dB) 27 - 150Hz
Internal Subwoofer Amplifier Power 300 Watts RMS
500 Watts Peak
Crossover Frequency 50Hz - 150Hz; 24dB/Octave
Continuously Variable
Low-Frequency Driver 10" (250mm) MMD®
Dimensions
(H x W x D) 15-3/4" x 12-1/2" x 16-1/2"
400mm x 318mm x 419mm)
Weight 38.6 lb (17.6kg)
Finish Black Wood Grain Enclosure


Polk RTI8 2 way mains
Overall Frequency Response 30Hz-27kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 40Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 26kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 20-250 w/channel
Efficiency 90 dB
Crossover 2.2kHz, 12dB/Oct Low Pass, 18dB/Octave High Pass
Inputs Dual (bi-amp) gold plated 5-way binding posts



So I guess being a noob who's be reading a crap load of info on the net I am more confused now than I've ever been. Seems the good information is relayed in a way that a noob can't decipher because it's not talking in my receivers language (as in terminology). I've had the amp for a year now. I like a nice clean, punchy sound… not muffled… I find the Polk mains to give a nice punch (compared to anything else that I have) so I feel that I should be sending "full band" to those but from what I read on the net I shouldn't be (???). The sub is another story… I can't set the crossover on the amp (or can I)… but I set the crossover on the sub at about 120hz, is that correct? I have the volume on the sub set at 1/2. Then there is the "LFE", not sure what that does or how it works within my amp but I tried setting that to "normal" and "LFE" with no difference. Blu-ray is connected with HDMI (audio/video) and sends everything "direct" or "not downmixed". The amp picks up on all the DTS, DTS-HD… etc… etc fine. I realize my speakers are not high end but they should be good enough for a small room (12x14')… and a cranky wife.

Can anyone with 608 experience help me out, I'm lost at this point.

Thanks to anyone that can help me out.

also fyi I have the polks bi-wired

 

[psbfan9]

I have an Onkyo TX-SR608 receiver and am having someone difficulty setting it up to get he best sound from it. I pretty much just watch music DVD's and Blu-rays, anything from Country to Heavy Metal. I've tried the Audessy setup and have had some success but not to the extent that I'm after. I think part of my problem is my sub, it's a muddy sounding sub. I'm after more punch than muffled bass.

I have the 608. This is what was recommended to me when I asked about setting it up.

low pass frequency dial on sub. all the way up.

level dial on sub. 12 o-clock.

LFE in receiver. 80.

run audyssey after settings.

When running Audyssey, leave the mic. in the same spot. Don't move it to other positions. If you have a laser pointer, set it on top of the center and direct it toward the 'sweet spot', where you sit the most, the laser should be just above your head when your sitting.

I don't know much about your sub, but hopefully this will help. Try moving the sub around. It may sound muddy because it's in a corner. Also, if you have a settings menu in your bluray, change it from PCM to DTS or something that isn't PCM. In the receiver settings I use the 'direct mode' or 'Dolby Digital' settings for tv and movies and it has made huge difference.
When listening to music...Stereo with the sub.
Hope this helps.

 

[serial8]

Thanks psbfan9.

I did this and there isn't much improvement, if any BUT the wife is home and I can't confirm but maybe today or tomorrow.

I had the infinities P252's on the front and a pair of P152's in the rear but purchased a pair of Polk RTI8's for $100, they are in mint condition so I figured they would be an upgrade on the P252's for cheap but I am beginning to wonder. I thought the polks were real wood and the infinities were particle board which I thought would be reason enough to spend $100. As of right now I don't consider it an upgrade other than looks.

The LFE level was hiding on me, on the speaker setup screen it only showed Sub(yes/no), front and surrounds... I didn't notice the arrow at the bottom of the screen which reveals more including LFE.

My sub is in a corner, I moved it out about 2' from each wall to see if that helped but not really. Also bluray works fine, sends everything direct and the amp picks up dts, dts-hd, dd etc. Full band on the front still seems like it might be my best option as the Polks add punch that the sub simply doesn't offer.

The setup now is:
Fronts: 40hz
Surrounds: 90hz
LFE: 80hz

Although audessy set the sub at 120hz, I changed it back to 80hz as you mentioned.

 

[afterlife2]

Hi serial8. I had a problem with my setup too. I called Onkyo customer and they were great. I come from a Kenwood receiver from the 90's so I needed help.

 

[psbfan9]

There is an 'audio' button on the remote, it's also marked 'home'. You can access more audio options and you can change the db levels of the sub there.

You may want to list the specs of your sub and move this to the sub thread of the forum.

Good luck!

 

[sholling]

As said before set the crossover on the sub all the way up and set the subs volume at 12 o'clock but you may have to adjust that.

Under speaker config set the LPF of LFE to 120. Run Audyssey with the mic placed on a tripod at ear level at each spot you normally have people sitting. Finally fine tune by setting the crossovers to about 80hz and turn doublebass off.

How big is the room?

 

[serial8]

Here's the spec on the current sub:

Infinity PS210 10" Powered Subwoofer

Power Rating 300W RMS
500W Peak
Frequency Response 27Hz - 150Hz (±3dB)
Crossover Frequency 50Hz - 150Hz, 24dB/octave (Continuously Variable)
Impedance Not Specified By Manufacturer
Driver 10" (250mm) MMD Cone
Enclosure Bass Reflex
Connectors RCA x2 (Line Level Input)
Shielded Yes
Auto Standby Yes
Level Control Yes, Rear Panel
Phase Control Yes, Rear Panel
Crossover Adjustment Yes, Rear Panel
General
Dimensions (HxWxD) 15.7 x 12.5 x 16.5" (400 x 318 x 419mm)
Weight 38.6 lbs (17.6kg)
Power Requirements 120VAC, 60Hz
Color Black


The crossover is set to full (LFE in Onkyo is 120).

I thought by running Audessey and then "fine tuning" the crossovers to 80hz would then basically negate Audessey but I guess not?

Tell me this... I can get a Polk, Klipsch or KEF sub at a good deal so ... if you had to choose what would be an upgrade on what I have now (what I have now is muddy, I want the opposite)?

Thanks!

 

[serial8]

Also... my room is in a split entry home, downstairs is where the setup is... unfortunately the room is an open concept to the stairway. So basically one end is open ended to he rest of the house. The room itself is 16' x 12' but like I said one end is open ended.

The sub is placed in the front corner furthest from the open end about 1' from each wall.