No sound from Subwoofers or Zone 2

[n8j]

Hello Audioholics!,
I am new to this forum, new to the home audio world, and very happy this resource exist. I have searched the forum for guidance on the below issues previous to creating this post.

Issues:
1. Cannot get sound out of subwoofers.
2. Cannot get sound out of Presence/Zone 2.

Included in a home purchase was a home audio system that included a Yamaha RX-1400, two front PSB speakers, one center PSB, two PSB subs, three ceiling mounted speakers behind the couch (connected to surround front/back sound), and six outdoor speakers and two garage speakers (connected to Presence/Zone 2 and output through a impedance matching selector switch where you can select outdoor zones or garage).

Measures taken:
For Issue #1: Read and implemented the steps provided in the manual including wiring to the preout sub channel, auto set up, manual set up, sbwr=yes, LFE=both, etc. No sound from the subs during auto set up.

For Issue #2: Turned on Zone 2 utilizing the remote control, selected input, adjusted volume. Selected Presence=yes, did not hear outdoor speakers. Selected Presence=None, did not hear outdoor speakers. I routed the Presence Zone 2 output to a speaker known to work and did not hear anything. When I turn on Zone 2 from the remote, am I turning on the Zone 2 output or the Presence/Zone 2? How do I turn on the Presence/Zone 2 output?

All other speakers work well. I think I need to test the sub speaker itself, what input should I connect the sub to in order to verify it is receiving an audio signal?

I appreciate your time for reading and any time you take to respond with input.
Thanks,
Nate

 

[j_garcia]

What source are you using for zone 2? Secondary zones typically require an analog input only.

LFE should not be both IMO, set it to sub only. That won't fix the sub problem I'll guess, but is a better setting. In the manual setup, set the mains to small, sub=yes and run the manual tones. If that does not work, does that receiver have preamp outputs for the main channels? Try setting the speakers to large and use one of those outputs to check to see if the sub is working.

 

[Grador]

Zone 2 should not have to set to presence, it should be set to zone 2. Presence is for a set of presence speakers on the main zone.

 

[n8j]

What source are you using for zone 2? Secondary zones typically require an analog input only.

LFE should not be both IMO, set it to sub only. That won't fix the sub problem I'll guess, but is a better setting. In the manual setup, set the mains to small, sub=yes and run the manual tones. If that does not work, does that receiver have preamp outputs for the main channels? Try setting the speakers to large and use one of those outputs to check to see if the sub is working.

Thank you for the reply.
I have tried tuner, Sat/Cable analog input, and an optical from the TV and an optical from the cable box.
I could not get Manual Tones to work.
The amp does have a preamp output. The subs are connected to the designated preamp sub amp output which is one RCA jack.

Could a field or other setting limit the sound output to the subs?

 

[n8j]

Zone 2 should not have to set to presence, it should be set to zone 2. Presence is for a set of presence speakers on the main zone.

Thank you for the reply.
Am I understanding your reply correctly that you are recommending the Presence=None? Help me clarify what exactly should be set to Zone 2 please?
The outdoor speakers are connected to the "Presence/Zone 2" output. Would you happen to know how to activate that output?

I see the Zone 2 and Zone 3 output on the back of the receiver. I interpret the reading in the manual that those outputs should be utilized when there is an external amp in another room/location and that the "Presents/Zone 2" output should be utilitzed when utilizing the internal amp. Question I have....how can the "Presence/Zone 2" output be activated?

Thank you again for your time.

 

[j_garcia]

A sound mode would not likely affect the subs, but "direct" will usually remove the sub - however that should not affect the test tones AFAIK. Using the main L&R preamp outputs instead of the sub pre-out will at least tell you that the sub is working properly because you will be sending a full range signal to it. With the main R&L set to large, the sub should come on.

For the "presence/zone2" you should either have a setting internally in the receiver to assign those amps to one of the zones or you may actually have to re-route something on the back panel to get that to work. I am not familiar with that receiver, but that should be in the manual.

 

[Grador]

I'll take a look at the manual for that receiver when I am home, but if it is like mine there is an option to assign the extra amplifier to either zone 2 or presence speakers. The other possibility is that I'm remembering this all wrong.

 

[Grador]

From page 57 of your manual it looks like you need to go to "Manual setup > Option Menu > Zone2 Set" and select Zone2 Amp on. You'll likely need to turn presence speakers off for that to work.

Also, it looked like you might be able to use digital inputs for the second zone. I didn't specifically read this but it mentioned something about not using DTS on multiple zones to avoid noise which seems to imply it was possible to do so.

 

[n8j]

Thanks for the direction! I will try these items when I get home and get back to you. Appreciate the help!

 

[n8j]

From page 57 of your manual it looks like you need to go to "Manual setup > Option Menu > Zone2 Set" and select Zone2 Amp on. You'll likely need to turn presence speakers off for that to work.

Also, it looked like you might be able to use digital inputs for the second zone. I didn't specifically read this but it mentioned something about not using DTS on multiple zones to avoid noise which seems to imply it was possible to do so.

Zone 2 set to on. Presence speakers off. Zone 2 did not play when I tried Tuner and Sat/Cable input. I tried a different speaker, Zone 2 did not work. Any ideas?

For the sub isssue. I have not seen any sign the subs work. I disconnected from the preamp sub output and tapped the RCA, nothing heard from the sub. I connected to each preamp output and heard nothing. I connected to the front L and heard nothing.

Do I need special settings to turn on the preamp outputs?
Do I need special settings to turn on Zone 2 other than what I have entered?

 

[Grador]

Try turning presence back on as well? Really I'm grasping at straws now.

For the sub, turn the volume all the way down and the crossover to somewhere around 150 and plug some source directly into it. An mp3 player, cd player anything. Then turn the volume up slowly. This should give definitive proof of function for the sub.

If possible could you post some pictures of how you have everything hooked up?

 

[n8j]

Wanted to post an update:
I determined the two PSB Subseries 1 subwoofers do not work. I plugged my ipad directly into the sub(s) as you suggested and heard nothing.
I unplugged the inputs to the subs and plugged them into another subwoofer that I found in another room and that sub worked. I am waiting for a PBS Technician to return my call to walk me through a possible solution.

I will look at the Zone2 issue another time.

I did find another RX-V1400 Yamaha receiver in another bedroom in the event the Zone2/presence channel on the original RX-V1400 Yamaha receiver does not work.

The results are sounding like the equipment is faulty and not setting or connection issues. I will provide updates, I appreciate the responses.