Need help with Subwoofer

[LakerGreats]

I have a Sony STR-K840P 5.1 Surround Sound and lately I have been experiencing issues with the subwoofer/bass speaker. The subwoofer does have power as it turns on and the LED glows green. However, when you turn on the subwoofer, after a second or two, there is click sound that is heard. When this click is heard the subwoofer works, bass outputs, but sometimes randomly it will click again and the bass stops. There are also other times when the subwoofer is turned on and it never clicks and it will not output any bass. I also tested that the RCA cable works, when the subwoofer is on and had made that click, when the other end of the wire is touched the subwoofer will output bass in a buzz, so I believe it is not an issue with the RCA cable. Any ideas what the issue maybe? or any suggestions on how to fix this? thanks for any help.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a Sony STR-K840P 5.1 Surround Sound and lately I have been experiencing issues with the subwoofer/bass speaker. The subwoofer does have power as it turns on and the LED glows green. However, when you turn on the subwoofer, after a second or two, there is click sound that is heard. When this click is heard the subwoofer works, bass outputs, but sometimes randomly it will click again and the bass stops. There are also other times when the subwoofer is turned on and it never clicks and it will not output any bass. I also tested that the RCA cable works, when the subwoofer is on and had made that click, when the other end of the wire is touched the subwoofer will output bass in a buzz, so I believe it is not an issue with the RCA cable. Any ideas what the issue maybe? or any suggestions on how to fix this? thanks for any help.

That is very old, and it is hard to know what is failing. However, it may be that there is not enough output from the receiver to keep the auto on feature on.

I would turn up the sub output on the receiver end. You need to refer to your manual for that, but I checked it is possible in the receiver menu. Then turn down the volume on the sub. If that does not solve the problem, then that system has reached the buffers.

 

[BMXTRIX]

That is very old, and it is hard to know what is failing. However, it may be that there is not enough output from the receiver to keep the auto on feature on.

I would turn up the sub output on the receiver end. You need to refer to your manual for that, but I checked it is possible in the receiver menu. Then turn down the volume on the sub. If that does not solve the problem, then that system has reached the buffers.

This is great advice. I was thinking the same thing. A product of this age may be just wearing out. But, if there is a way to get a bit more signal from the AVR to the subwoofer then that may be the problem. The bass level may be too low to trigger the 'auto power on' within the subwoofer itself. By cranking the bass up on the output of the receiver, you will generate more signal out of the RCA cable and trigger the subwoofer to come on and stay on more easily. Then turn that volume knob down on the subwoofer so you get the level you desire in the room itself.

Just repeating things, I realize.

But, always good to hear the same response a couple of times.

Not sure what subwoofer the OP has. Obviously if that is just as old the amp may be failing completely as well. Typically I'd test this with test tones or something else to ensure the subwoofer is working exactly as expected.