Assistance Please w/Yamaha 6190b

[Zanadu]

I own the Yamaha HTR-6190b also known as the RX-V1800. I historically have had the Energy Take Classic 5.1 speakers connected and have enjoyed the system immensely. I have decided to upgrade my front speakers for better stereo listening by purchasing a couple of Klipsch RF-82 tower speakers and moving the two fronts of my Energy Take Classic speakers and making them surround backs. This now gives me a 7.1 speaker configuration. However, I cannot get the Surround-Back Left and Right speakers to produce any sound when playing a DVD/Stereo/PS3 etc.

I have configured the speakers successfully using the YPAO Auto-setup and each and every speaker is identified and attenuated according to the OSD. Wiring check is "OK", speaker distance is calculated (including surround backs), speakers get equalized. Sound comes out of every speaker during the setup phase.

Then I play a movie and NOTHING comes out of the back speakers. The L/R surrounds work but no backs. I put music on and set the receiver to 7.1 surround and get music out of every speaker except the surround backs.

Yamaha claims that the L/R surrounds matrix to the L/R backs. That is what I would like but it doesn't happen.

The HTR-6190 has an option that, when selected (7 ch. stereo), is supposed to automatically send the 2 channel stereo source (say FM radio) to all 7 speakers. It does this to L/R, Center, SL/SR and subwoofer but not to the SLB or SRB speakers. On other settings, say watching a DVD with a 5.1 audio source, the system is supposed to matrix the surround left and right signals to the surround left/right backs to give a smoother transition from back to front. It does not do any of it. In fact, I am yet to get ANY sound out of the SLB or SRB speakers from ANY source other than when using the integrated YPAO auto-setup. This is the only time I hear anything from the back speakers.

Is the 7.1 feature broken? 5.1 is fine.

Any ideas???????

 

[XEagleDriver]

Need to check SOUND FIELD parameters

I own the Yamaha HTR-6190b also known as the RX-V1800. I historically have had the Energy Take Classic 5.1 speakers connected and have enjoyed the system immensely. I have decided to upgrade my front speakers for better stereo listening by purchasing a couple of Klipsch RF-82 tower speakers and moving the two fronts of my Energy Take Classic speakers and making them surround backs. This now gives me a 7.1 speaker configuration.

However, I cannot get the Surround-Back Left and Right speakers to produce any sound when playing a DVD/Stereo/PS3 etc.

How do you have the source components connected ? (i.e. HDMI, digital, optical, analog RCA)
This will help me understand the supplied movie/music audio signal.

I have configured the speakers successfully using the YPAO Auto-setup and each and every speaker is identified and attenuated according to the OSD. Wiring check is "OK", speaker distance is calculated (including surround backs), speakers get equalized. Sound comes out of every speaker during the setup phase.

Good, this eliminates amplifier channel problems and points toward the SOUND MENU not being set up quite right. Very detailed write up by the way, that really helps.

Then I play a movie and NOTHING comes out of the back speakers. The L/R surrounds work but no backs. I put music on and set the receiver to 7.1 surround and get music out of every speaker except the surround backs.

Yamaha claims that the L/R surrounds matrix to the L/R backs. That is what I would like but it doesn't happen.

Yes, but the L/R Backs are matrixed only in certain Sound Field Programs, like Movie Spectacle or Movie Adventure.

See manual p.46 on how to interpret the Surround Back Sound Field on the Sound Field Indicator on the front panel display--it is a bit strange.

See manual p. 47-50 to understand which sound fields actually use L/R Backs--not the most intuitive feature.

The HTR-6190 has an option that, when selected (7 ch. stereo), is supposed to automatically send the 2 channel stereo source (say FM radio) to all 7 speakers. It does this to L/R, Center, SL/SR and subwoofer but not to the SLB or SRB speakers. On other settings, say watching a DVD with a 5.1 audio source, the system is supposed to matrix the surround left and right signals to the surround left/right backs to give a smoother transition from back to front. It does not do any of it. In fact, I am yet to get ANY sound out of the SLB or SRB speakers from ANY source other than when using the integrated YPAO auto-setup. This is the only time I hear anything from the back speakers.

Is the 7.1 feature broken? 5.1 is fine.

I don't think so at this point, described symptoms lead me to think the "EXTD SUR" in the Manual Setup is not set correctly. To check/fix:

1) Get into MANUAL SETUP. See p. 75
2) Select the 3 SOUND MENU. See p. 76
3) Select parameter E) AUDIO SET. Also see p. 76
4) Set EXTD SUR to either: AUTO, PLIIx, or EX/ES (just not set to "OFF"). See p.87

This is my best guess, given the unusual symptoms.

Please report what you found in these menus and if changing them fixed the problem.

If not, I will try to think of another angle.

XEagleDriver

 

[Zanadu]

Thank you for trying to help.

First of all inputs: 1) PS3-HDMI, 2) Rogers Digital Cable Box - HDMI, 3) MacBook Pro - DVI to HDMI for video and optical 5.1 for audio.

The EXTD SUR is already (and has been) set to AUTO.

So nothing has changed at this point.

If you have the manual (which would appear you do from your great references) you can see on page 50 under Stereo Playback that the option to select 7ch Stereo is supposed to send sound to ALL speakers. This of course will not be discrete 7.1 but provides a nice fill effect. I believe I should get sound from the Surround Backs if this is enabled.

Thoughts?? and thanks again.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Try PLIIx or EX/ES

Zanadu,

Sounds like you have had all the bases covered.

Did you per chance try setting EXTD SUR to PLIIX or EX/ES just to see if this changes anything?

It should'nt make a difference, but as you know, your 1800's symptoms shouldn't be happening either.

As for the manual I cheat, I get access courtesy of Yammy's website! At least Yammy writes a manual which makes sense--for the most part.

This is bugging me, I will continue to think about it.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[Zanadu]

Fixed

Thanks XEagleDriver, but I figured it out.

Even tho I have no Zone 2 or 3 set up, I remember experimenting with the zones many months ago and hooked up a set of speakers to the SP1 connectors on the unit . I had, at that time, set Zone2 to AMP. I played with it for a while then removed the speakers and forgot about it. It had no impact on the 5.1 settings, but now going to 7.1, I understand that the unit will use the SB signal to drive Zone2. I have set Zone2 to AMP...EXT. I now have the surround back speakers working. Thank you so very much. I am glad there are people out there like yourself who will take the time to assist people. This stuff can get very confusing and technical. But having someone to bounce ideas back and forth with is extremely helpful. Take care.

 

[AVRat]

Yup, that would definitely make a difference!

 

[XEagleDriver]

Congrats!

Thanks XEagleDriver, but I figured it out.

Even tho I have no Zone 2 or 3 set up, I remember experimenting with the zones many months ago and hooked up a set of speakers to the SP1 connectors on the unit . I had, at that time, set Zone2 to AMP. I played with it for a while then removed the speakers and forgot about it. It had no impact on the 5.1 settings, but now going to 7.1, I understand that the unit will use the SB signal to drive Zone2. I have set Zone2 to AMP...EXT. I now have the surround back speakers working. Thank you so very much. I am glad there are people out there like yourself who will take the time to assist people. This stuff can get very confusing and technical. But having someone to bounce ideas back and forth with is extremely helpful. Take care.

Glad you figured it out and thanks for sharing the solution.

When the YPAO still sent a test signal to the L/R Backs that threw me off the trail of a Zone 2/3 setup issue--I will file that one away for future reference.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver