Low volume level on Subwoofer over speaker level inputs

[iNeedScissors61]

Hey all. First post here. I'm just getting into setting up a stereo system and today I picked up a Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signature for $30 at a thrift store. I've read it's a decent sub so I was excited to get it home and hook it up. Since my Onkyo tx-910 receiver doesn't have dedicated sub out I had to hook it up by running speaker cable from the A channel on the receiver to the Speaker Level inputs on the sub. When I do this, the sub produces sound, but it's barely noticeable even with the sub volume cranked all the way. What's strange is that when I try to manually configure the EQ levels the test tones are really loud, shaking my whole house. It's a powered sub so I'm not sure why the level is this low. It didn't come with the microphone for auto EQ so I'm wondering if it's necessary to get it working right.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Onkyo tx-910

Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signature

 

[lovinthehd]

Offhand it just sounds like your sub doesn't get sufficient input level via the high level (speaker level) inputs. What happens if you hook up something else as a source using an rca input?

 

[Trell]

Possibly try a reset of the subwoofer?

This appears to be the manual from https://www.sunfire.com/support/sunfire-discontinued-products

https://corebrands-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/products/Sunfire/Discontinued/TRUE-SUBWOOFER-EQ-SIGNATURE-AND-STANDARD.pdf

 

[iNeedScissors61]

Possibly try a reset of the subwoofer?

This appears to be the manual from https://www.sunfire.com/support/sunfire-discontinued-products

https://corebrands-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/products/Sunfire/Discontinued/TRUE-SUBWOOFER-EQ-SIGNATURE-AND-STANDARD.pdf

The reset is for the custom EQ settings only and didn't help.

 

[iNeedScissors61]

Offhand it just sounds like your sub doesn't get sufficient input level via the high level (speaker level) inputs. What happens if you hook up something else as a source using an rca input?

Would I use the line level inputs for that?

 

[lovinthehd]

Would I use the line level inputs for that?

Yes the line level inputs are rca, the only other input is the balanced xlr input.

 

[sterling shoote]

Hey all. First post here. I'm just getting into setting up a stereo system and today I picked up a Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signature for $30 at a thrift store. I've read it's a decent sub so I was excited to get it home and hook it up. Since my Onkyo tx-910 receiver doesn't have dedicated sub out I had to hook it up by running speaker cable from the A channel on the receiver to the Speaker Level inputs on the sub. When I do this, the sub produces sound, but it's barely noticeable even with the sub volume cranked all the way. What's strange is that when I try to manually configure the EQ levels the test tones are really loud, shaking my whole house. It's a powered sub so I'm not sure why the level is this low. It didn't come with the microphone for auto EQ so I'm wondering if it's necessary to get it working right.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Onkyo tx-910

Sunfire True Subwoofer EQ Signature

There may not be anything wrong with your set-up. Instead of judging by ear test by sound pressure level meter.

 

[iNeedScissors61]

So here's where I'm at. Speaker level input has some signal, although weak, but I have to have the amp volume up fairly high and also the sub volume at max.
Line level connection via RCA direct from CD player has very low signal as well, I can hear the music faintly from mid - max volume.

 

[iNeedScissors61]

There may not be anything wrong with your set-up. Instead of judging by ear test by sound pressure level meter.

Could you explain that please? Is that measuring the output of the amp or the sound created from the sub?

 

[lovinthehd]

So here's where I'm at. Speaker level input has some signal, although weak, but I have to have the amp volume up fairly high and also the sub volume at max.
Line level connection via RCA direct from CD player has very low signal as well, I can hear the music faintly from mid - max volume.

It's not just your expectations that a sub will be dominant or overly loud, is it? Not much music actually comes out of a sub....

Can you measure your max spl you're getting each way with an spl meter (even if just a phone app)?

 

[Trebdp83]

So here's where I'm at. Speaker level input has some signal, although weak, but I have to have the amp volume up fairly high and also the sub volume at max.
Line level connection via RCA direct from CD player has very low signal as well, I can hear the music faintly from mid - max volume.

Have you not tried RCA cables from the receiver's TAPE 1 or 2 REC ports to the subwoofers LINE IN RCA ports?

 

[sterling shoote]

Could you explain that please? Is that measuring the output of the amp or the sound created from the sub?

Download a sound pressure meter to your cell phone. Then listen to your system's test tone from each channel observing the sound pressurer meter reading level for each channel.

 

[Pogre]

30 bucks for one of those subs is a really good deal! I would have gotten one too!