New FIRST system, no remote, new sub, problems..

[pancakeplease]

The best way I can describe my problem succinctly in the thread title.

This is my first audio system ever, been reading nonstop and trying to figure things out. I am learning a lot and it's fun.

Anyway here is my current setup and I have run into 2 issues (the 3rd is a separate thread).

I bought a used Denon Receiver AVR-2800 (11 years old) and a Denon DVD player for $20.
Ordered some Polk Audio Monitor 30 Series II speakers and just today UPS delivered a brand new Polk Audio PSW10 subwoofer!

I have been using the Polk Monitor 30's by connecting it into the FL/FR connection in the back of my receiver no problem. Today, I plugged in my subwoofer and there is no bass. The subwoofer as stated by the manual, has 2 possible hookup methods. (one is the subwoofer OUT on the receiver, other is to route the speakers through the subwoofer).

The first one, is to use a RCA cable and put 1 connection into the Left or Right input port on the subwoofer, and then put the other end into the receiver's subwoofer out. I did this one. No bass. I turned up bass to max on both my receiver and the volume knob on the subwoofer itself, turned up the Low Pass all the way, and nothing. When I turned up the bass on my receiver, it controls the bass in my Polk Monitor 30's, not the subwoofer.

I am wondering if this is due to me not doing a System Setup using the remote and choosing the speaker size and subwoofer "Yes/No". Does it sound like that is likely the problem??


Because if so, here is the second problem that's directly related. I don't have a remote. The Denon AVR-2800 is 11 years old and there are no places that have replacement remotes and the ones I've seen used are going for $120 on eBay. According to the manual, my receiver can't do some/many things without the remote, like System Setup (like the example above), or tuning the radio, etc. The physical buttons on the Denon receivers are limited and there is no way for me to do a System Setup, and if the answer to my problem of not getting a signal to my new subwoofer is the System Setup > Subwoofer = Yes, then I need to find a way to get a remote.

I have looked into the logitech harmony universal and it states that there is an online database. My receiver, Denon AVR-2800 is fully compatible. However, when I look at the buttons on the Harmony remote, there are no buttons for "Tuning +/-", "System Setup", or any of the specific function buttons found on the original Denon remote.

I've never used an universal remote before so does anyone know if (a) the subwoofer problem is due to the lack of remote setup? (b) If there are any cheap AV receiver universal remotes that can fix this issue?


Sorry for the long post but man, the learning curve for learning audio from having NO knowledge is very steep!

 

[bikdav]

Do You Have an Instruction Manual?

It sounds very likely that _ for some reason _ the subwoofer is not actually switched on at the receiver. Many times [but not always] that happens automatically when you choose "large" for the left and right front speakers. Yet, I find it weird that you can't configure speakers at the receiver. All the receivers that I've owned or worked with didn't need the remote to set up speakers. Go to Denon's web-site and see if you can download an instruction manual for the AVR-2800.
As an example, I had to do that very thing for two used Sony receivers that recently bought at yard sales. After downloading Sony instruction manuals and reading them I discovered that with both Sonys that I could do nearly everything without the remote. In fact, in their case it was actually easier to do set up at the receiver instead of the remote. I can't imagine the Denon being much different. But, an instruction manual would be very handy and might solve the problem. Good luck.

 

[Adam]

I tried to find the AVR-2800 manual when I was looking into the sub connection on your previous thread, and I just tried again tonight - but no luck so far. Denon has the product sheet for the 2800, but no manual that I've seen. I'll provide a link if I manage to find one.

 

[pancakeplease]

I tried to find the AVR-2800 manual when I was looking into the sub connection on your previous thread, and I just tried again tonight - but no luck so far. Denon has the product sheet for the 2800, but no manual that I've seen. I'll provide a link if I manage to find one.

Hey thanks, I have one actually. Let me know if you want to take a look but I read that thing back and forth and it really requires a remote for System Setup which is so stupid.

I tried a Logitech Harmony remote and it didn't work so I have 3 options I guess. 1) Get a new receiver and sell this one for cheap. 2) Try to find a different schematic that allows for the sub and main to sound good. I'm not sure if speaker-level connection with a sub is considered "good" or not but if it is, I'll keep it. If not, I'll have to figure out a way to get another amp or preamp or whatever it is I need to bypass the receiver. Which kind of makes the receiver pointless since this was mainly for audio.... so it's back to option #1. Sell and buy an integrated amp for audio or something. I would have done that from the start but they all cost like $300-500!
3) Keep it the way it is. Try to find another remote that works or find a Denon remote that is compatible with this receiver. Finding the remote is next to impossible lol

 

[Adam]

Awesome - I'm glad that you have the manual!

Given that you can't set the speakers to small and turn on the sub output on the receiver, it makes sense to use the speaker-level connections on the sub (which is contrary to what Rick and I were saying in your other thread). If you connect using the speaker-level connections, then you can adjust the crossover on the sub to your liking, and it should work well for you.

 

[pancakeplease]

Thanks for all the feedback and advice. I finally figured it out. I've been reading the manual and no where does it mention that the system settings have to be done by hooking up a monitor or tv to see the on screen display. The "On Screen Display" meant on the monitor, not the LED screen. I obviously did not know this and there was no change on the small screen/display on the receiver. But when I hooked up the video out from my receiver to my TV, there it was.... the Setup MENU!

Finally got the sub wired through the LFE connection and speakers bi-wired directly to the receiver. Now, I can control the subwoofer's volume separately by using the channel volume adjustment and also disable it entirely if I want.

Such a ****in relief! I was looking into buying another receiver or buying a $55-100 remote just for that functionality. Good thing I decided to spend the entire day re-reading the manual over and over.

 

[bikdav]

Way to go Pancakeplease. Let's hear it for poorly published instruction manuals _ Boo! Hiss! S%$&!. I didn't think that you were restricted to doing everything with the remote.

 

[Bassbinotoko]

I'm glad that worked out for you. It may be safe to buy an HDMI receiver soon. I'm not sure there's any new compelling features to add, now that they support 3D and high-res multichannel lossless audio.

I'm just going to add that some PDAs can emulate remote controls, and use codes from places like Remotecentral.com. (I see Palms fairly often at thrift stores for cheap.) I'm pretty sure a PC can be made to emulate a remote control (hook an IR emitter diode to a serial port); might be useful to teach a learning remote a particular command.

 

[bikdav]

I'm glad that worked out for you. It may be safe to buy an HDMI receiver soon. I'm not sure there's any new compelling features to add, now that they support 3D and high-res multichannel lossless audio.

I'm just going to add that some PDAs can emulate remote controls, and use codes from places like Remotecentral.com. (I see Palms fairly often at thrift stores for cheap.) I'm pretty sure a PC can be made to emulate a remote control (hook an IR emitter diode to a serial port); might be useful to teach a learning remote a particular command.

Thanks for the tip on the remote situation. I didn't realize that.

 

[pancakeplease]

I just registered to this forum because i'm now in the same situation as you! I have no remote, and i have hooked it up to my TV! However, please tell me 'cause i'm pretty desperate,
how did you navigate to the "speaker setup menu" without the remote? I can only go around in diffrent modes / inputs with the buttons on the AVR itself?

Help is much needed!
Thanks in advance,
Sylvester.

It's been a few years I dont have that setup anymore but if I remember correctly, I could only access certain modes and things with the MODE button on the actual receiver. I ended up buying a Logitech Harmony 700 series remote for $25 at radio shack and it allows you to program all the OEM functions (remote hooks up to your computer) so I was able to hit menu and then from there you can adjust the settings. The Denon receiver made it so I had to use a remote to get access to the audio settings, there was no way around it.

 

[Syllerud]

Thanks - a secondary remote is the way to go. Take care!