Denon AVR213 and Zone 2 extremely low volume

[Iratepirate]

Good morning. Frustrated trying to figure something out. My Denon AVR2113 receiver runs 7 speakers and a subwoofer in our Rec room. We have loved it, no issues.
I built a patio and bought some outdoor speakers (2) to plug in to the RCA jacks in zone 2. I can’t get any type of signal to come out of these speakers. I know how to turn on and off zone 2 and main zone separately on the remote by highlighting the zone and the using on and off. I’ve also used Aux, Cable Tv, Media Player, inputs to try different types of input.
This Is where it gets weird for me. I have read about going in to Set Up and Amp Assign. I switched from Surround Sound Back to Zone 2. Weird part, It turns off every speaker in the Main Zone except the rear surround sound speakers and still gives me no audio in Zone 2.
Other weird part. Whether Amp Assign is set to Zone 2 or Surround Back I can hear just barely a whisper of the audio in the Main Zone coming though the Zone 2 speakers. Very very low (if there is any ancillary noise you can’t hear the speakers it is so low). It almost feels like their is a “governor” on the zone 2 output as far as wattage or power.
I’ve spent a good bit of change and almost killed myself running wire through attics to get this audio to our new patio and I feel like a dummy not being able to figure this out.
I appreciate any and all suggestions and thank you very much for your advice. Enjoy your weekends.

 

[Trebdp83]

With the 2113, only audio from devices connected to the receiver with analog cables can be sent to Zone 2. When surround back speaker terminals are assigned to Zone 2, sound will be output from them when using Zone 2 function but only from analog sources. So, when using Zone 2 speakers, Main Zone is taken down to 5.1 and surround back speakers output Zone 2 audio.

 

[Iratepirate]

Thank you. So I would assume I would have 5 working speakers when connected to the AUX input via RCA cables and using zone 2. My understanding is RCA cables in Aux input is analog. I am still seeing the only working speakers when I turn on zone 2 are the back surround speakers in the main zone. The zone 2 speakers (outdoor patio) never work except for that whisper of sound. Those two outdoor speakers are plugged in to “Zone 2” la eked RCA on back of receiver.
the 5.1 drop down from 7.1 you mentioned when using zone 2 doesn’t seem to happen. As soon as Zone 2 is turned on everything turns off except surround back and the patio speaker plugged in to zone 2 never do anything either.
Thanks for your input. Sorry if I’m missing something obvious.

 

[Trebdp83]

The outdoor speakers are powered, yes? When using Zone 2, the surround back speakers get reassigned and the receiver thinks you have 5.1 and 2.0 in two separate rooms. When using just Zone 2, those surround back speakers stay on and the rest turn off.

 

[highfigh]

Thank you. So I would assume I would have 5 working speakers when connected to the AUX input via RCA cables and using zone 2. My understanding is RCA cables in Aux input is analog. I am still seeing the only working speakers when I turn on zone 2 are the back surround speakers in the main zone. The zone 2 speakers (outdoor patio) never work except for that whisper of sound. Those two outdoor speakers are plugged in to “Zone 2” la eked RCA on back of receiver.
the 5.1 drop down from 7.1 you mentioned when using zone 2 doesn’t seem to happen. As soon as Zone 2 is turned on everything turns off except surround back and the patio speaker plugged in to zone 2 never do anything either.
Thanks for your input. Sorry if I’m missing something obvious.

Unless your outdoor speakers have an amplifier in each one, the RCA jacks aren't going to do anything for you and you'll need an amplifier to use those jacks. RCA jacks haven't been used to connect speakers in over 40 years.

 

[Iratepirate]

Awesome stuff. Thanks. Looks like I’m buying an amp. I would have chased this a long time. Thank you very much. I wouldn’t want to use rca either, but hdmi isn’t analog correct? Is there an analog connection method not requiring an amp?

any recommended brands or places to buy an affordable multi channel amp? Obviously audio isn’t my “day job”. Thanks for your help.

 

[BMXTRIX]

My very first guess was that you were not using a proper amplifier between the RCA outputs of the receiver and your outdoor speakers for zone 2. RCA jacks are very commonly used for multi-zone audio and are the industry standard. The hard part is that many modern devices do not have RCA jacks on them, only HDMI, and it can cause some problems with audio distribution. This is why many manufacturers, like Denon and Yamaha, are providing networked audio plays for secondary zones which can use the audio from the main receiver for their playback. Nifty, but expensive, and why bother having 'zone 2' on your receiver if it doesn't work right?

Anyway, I usually pick up amplifiers on eBay for cheap. They can be half of MSRP and work perfectly well.
Something like this should work very well: https://www.ebay.com/itm/234168441805

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[BMXTRIX]

It is worth adding that 'Zone 2 playback by speaker output', as shown above, should NOT be used. You will not be using the speaker outputs of the Denon to run your zone 2, you will be using the RCA outputs. So, make sure to put your settings back where they were so your rear speakers playback normally when in use.

Do be aware that no digital audio (HDMI, coaxial, toslink) will pass to zone 2. But, you can use the internal tuner, or any analog audio source for zone 2 playback, like a CD player, connected using the RCA connections on the back of the receiver.

If you need your manual, download the 'CD ROM' file from Denon's website. It has the full guide in it and page 92 features the Zone 2 setup and instructions.

AVR-2113CI - 7.1 ch AV Receiver with Apple AirPlay® | Denon - US

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Per page 115, leave the 'amp assign' for your speakers to 'SURROUND BACK', as that's what you want the internal amplifier of the Denon to handle.

For what it is worth, I went through the ENTIRE manual, and it does not show making any connections and how to properly operate zone 2 using the RCA outputs whatsoever. So, you know, good luck Mr. Customer. (Thanks Denon!) So, yes, you should have no issues using the RCA outputs, you DO need an external amplifier for zone 2 when you don't have any extra channels leftover on the main unit.

 

[Trebdp83]

The Zone 2 pre out info is worse than bad, it’s just not there. Hopefully, it is not tied to the amp assignnent and it works when set to 7.1.