Not sure I want to Keep Onkyo 604

[GregMatty111@ma]

I bought an Onky TSXR604 to go with my new Toshia HD-DVD player and now that the newness has worn off, I am not sure I'll keep this receiver.

I decided to listen to some traditional stereo music and watch a few normal DVD's. I will point out that the CD's and DVD's I am listening to are being played back via my Sony SD-DVD player that I used to have hooked up to my HK AVR240 and prior to that, HK AVR65 (circa 1998).

For some reason, this receiver is playing back LFE at a much lower level than my AVR 240 and AVR 65 that preceded it. I have spent the last hour testing so I know what I am hearing. With either HK hooked up to my speakers including an Atlantic Technology 12" subwoofer, I typically had the sub's input level set to about 11:00 and no db adjustment either up or down. Sound was as perfect as I have heard. With this new Onkyo receiver I have found that I have to be at least 2:00 to get even close to the same LFE. I have re-read the manual to see if I have a setting off but I can't find it. I did see the section about subwoofer input level but that only affects the direct input, not something you would get over optical.

If I increase the subs output by 5db's I get close, but then I get a boomy sound. What have others experienced with this receiver with regard to LFE? There really isn't another HDMI receiver in this price range so I am not sure what I could return it for should I decide to do that.

I would trade it in on another HK if they had HDMI at a fair price. The AVR 245 won't bring in audio over HDMI and the 445 is too much $$. Anyone like the Marantz 4001? How about Denon 2307 or a Yamaha model? Maybe I should return my Onkyo and wait to see what the CES has in store?

Any input is appreciated.

Greg

 

[MDS]

For some reason, this receiver is playing back LFE at a much lower level than my AVR 240 and AVR 65 that preceded it. I have spent the last hour testing so I know what I am hearing. With either HK hooked up to my speakers including an Atlantic Technology 12" subwoofer, I typically had the sub's input level set to about 11:00 and no db adjustment either up or down. Sound was as perfect as I have heard. With this new Onkyo receiver I have found that I have to be at least 2:00 to get even close to the same LFE. I have re-read the manual to see if I have a setting off but I can't find it. I did see the section about subwoofer input level but that only affects the direct input, not something you would get over optical.

As with any receiver you have to calibrate the levels of all channels including the subwoofer. Not sure what you mean by 'direct input' - optical or coax connections have nothing to do with the subwoofer level. Adjusting the subwoofer level takes a combination of setting the volume level on the sub and the receiver's sub output level.

 

[GregMatty111@ma]

As with any receiver you have to calibrate the levels of all channels including the subwoofer. Not sure what you mean by 'direct input' - optical or coax connections have nothing to do with the subwoofer level. Adjusting the subwoofer level takes a combination of setting the volume level on the sub and the receiver's sub output level.

By the direct input I mean the analog subwoofer input if that makes any sense. Think the 7.1 inputs with the subwoofer being the .1.

Also, I hear you on the calibration, especially since my subwoofer is powered, like most, and likely gets an unamplified signal. It does sound attenuated to me and even after boosting it upward, I didn't like the sound. I know all receivers are different but I don't know anyone who has to have their subwoofer cranked up to get good LFE. Maybe a very inexpensive 8" model but I have the Atlantic Technology 262PBM. With the input at the 11:00 position I have had it set to on my last two receivers it sounds great.

I may try a Denon AVR887 which is supposedly nearly the same as the AVR2307CI for a few dollars less. If I don't like that one, I'll wait until HK upgraded the AVR245 to bring in audio over HDMI.

Greg

 

[jkwutvk]

I bought an Onky TSXR604 to go with my new Toshia HD-DVD player and now that the newness has worn off, I am not sure I'll keep this receiver.

I decided to listen to some traditional stereo music and watch a few normal DVD's. I will point out that the CD's and DVD's I am listening to are being played back via my Sony SD-DVD player that I used to have hooked up to my HK AVR240 and prior to that, HK AVR65 (circa 1998).

For some reason, this receiver is playing back LFE at a much lower level than my AVR 240 and AVR 65 that preceded it. I have spent the last hour testing so I know what I am hearing. With either HK hooked up to my speakers including an Atlantic Technology 12" subwoofer, I typically had the sub's input level set to about 11:00 and no db adjustment either up or down. Sound was as perfect as I have heard. With this new Onkyo receiver I have found that I have to be at least 2:00 to get even close to the same LFE. I have re-read the manual to see if I have a setting off but I can't find it. I did see the section about subwoofer input level but that only affects the direct input, not something you would get over optical.

If I increase the subs output by 5db's I get close, but then I get a boomy sound. What have others experienced with this receiver with regard to LFE? There really isn't another HDMI receiver in this price range so I am not sure what I could return it for should I decide to do that.

I would trade it in on another HK if they had HDMI at a fair price. The AVR 245 won't bring in audio over HDMI and the 445 is too much $$. Anyone like the Marantz 4001? How about Denon 2307 or a Yamaha model? Maybe I should return my Onkyo and wait to see what the CES has in store?

Any input is appreciated.

Greg

I've had the same problem and I've had 2 604s so far, the 1st was defective. At any rate, with both receivers I had to run the sub WAY HOT to get the same ouput from the sub.

For example, with my previous receiver I had the subs volume at about 3.5 or 1/3rd up and the receivers sub volume at 0. With the 604 it calibrates level at the same settings using an spl meter but there is absolutly no bass ouput even though when calibrating I got the same numbers as with my last receiver.

I have to turn the sub up to 7.5 and the receiver sub volume to 5 to get the same output from the sub as my previous receiver even though when I put it on a meter at this level it's like 20db hot.