Help with contolling level of a second speaker zone

[timetohunt]

I use the surround back channels as a second stereo speaker zone in my house. My receiver allows the SBs to be used in this way.

Recently my wife asked if the secone zone sound level could be lowered a bit relative to the downstairs zone. (my second zone is upstairs).

I thought that should be pretty simple, but as I get into the level adjusting menus I find that I cannot access this pair of speakers in the same way I can get to any of the others in my primary 5.1 congif. In the menu it will just have the SBs marked N/A. I read the whole manual. Can't find the solution.
Anyone?

Also while I am at it, I just added an extra sub to the setup. basically just daisy chained it to the 1st sub (if that is the correct terminology, I'm just getting back in the audio game). I have a couple of Klipshe RW12s. It sounded good right off the bat just by cableing up and plugging in, not louder just fuller and thicker, plus I get a giggle out looking at em sittin there side by side. Do you think I need to go back and do any auto speaker setup stuff? I need to get back into reading the forum, so I will understand if you guys just say 'go dig into to the forums and articles'. thanks.

 

[MDS]

I thought that should be pretty simple, but as I get into the level adjusting menus I find that I cannot access this pair of speakers in the same way I can get to any of the others in my primary 5.1 congif. In the menu it will just have the SBs marked N/A. I read the whole manual. Can't find the solution.

They are 'N/A' as in non existent from the perspective of zone 1 and that is why they cannot be adjusted. You are reassigning the surround back amps to power zone 2. Level adjustments are to make each speaker play at the same level as the other speakers and Zone 2 is only two speakers that are unrelated to the others and need no level adjustment.

However, you should be able to set them to a different volume level than the speakers in the main zone. If you cannot then the receiver may have another setting for zone 2 volume that is set to 'fixed' when it should be set to 'variable'.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Are we talking 3 zones or two here?

What AVR?

 

[jcPanny]

VC for zone 2

It might be convenient to add a volume control in the same room as the zone 2 speakers to allow you to adjust or turn off the speakers in that room. You could use the Zone 2 volume setting on the receiver to set the maximum volume level.

 

[annunaki]

When using multiple subs in a system, it is best to set them in different locations in the room. Preferrably one in the front and one in the back. Using them is a daisy chain is still acceptable.

 

[timetohunt]

Its two zone only, my receiver only allows for two.

Problem is I can't find a zone 2 control of any kind. I can switch the zones on and off or have them both on at the same time (which is not uncommon use at my house). Beyond that, I can't find controls for zone 2 of any sort in menus or hard buttons. I am going to call customer support today. Last year when I got the receiver, the Pioneer support was pretty decent.

 

[timetohunt]

The AVR is Pioneer VSX816

 

[timetohunt]

Well I called customer service and as far as volume control of the second zone, well you can't. Both zones are controlled in tandem with the main volume control, and no other option exists. Its a rather entry level ARV and they said that on higher end models you can control the volume. Seems kind of odd though, I would think that should be included in any AVR that allows 2 zones.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That is pretty silly.

Go ahead and use volume controls; they will be easy to install and will work great.

Well I called customer service and as far as volume control of the second zone, well you can't. Both zones are controlled in tandem with the main volume control, and no other option exists. Its a rather entry level ARV and they said that on higher end models you can control the volume. Seems kind of odd though, I would think that should be included in any AVR that allows 2 zones.

 

[timetohunt]

OK. Volume controls, thank you. I am trying to imagine what that looks like for my situation. The second zone is upstairs. Main listening area downstairs. I wired the house with speaker cable behind wall and up through the ceiling and such. At what point in the chain of cables and receiver is this volume control applied. Are we talking about a small box of some sort?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

In wall they look like light switches. The wires that go to your speakers will go to these first.

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&Webpage_ID=3&CAT_ID=43&ObjectGroup_ID=275&SO=2&CFID=12162535&CFTOKEN=25956433