Onkyo 605 receiver switches Off

[tanya2ky]

I just bought a SVS sub and connected to my Onkyo 605 receiver.

For past few days my receiver is acting up, if i increase the volume to about 60 (mas being 100) and if a scene of explosion or deep bass comes then my Onkyo receiver automatically switches off (or go to Standby mode).

Its kind of frustrating because in middle of watching movie or listeneing to music it just goes off.

Can you please point out the reason for this and how can i rectify it.

 

[tanya2ky]

I checked below:

1. All connections are fine and wires are not touching each other, no lose contacts or no twisted wire.

2. Receiver is not over heating, i have kept it in an open cabinet where it gets excellent ventilation.

Is there anything else i need to check....
I am slowly getting a feeling that receivers ampifier is not able to take the load of 5.1 system above 60 volume and thats when its protection circuit gets activated and it switches off the receiver.

This again happens when a Bass scene comes and SVS sub is about to do its magic....

 

[markw]

I'd say you're asking to much from that receiver.

Generally, when the sub kicks in there's a lot of volume to the non-sub frequencies as well. That adds to the dynamics of the movie

Sounds like you're overdriving the receiver on those peaks. My suggestions would be to either listen at a lower overal volume or purchase a receiver with at least twice the power of your current one.

 

[Adam]

What speakers are you using? Do you know the nominal impedance of them?

 

[tanya2ky]

Thanks for your replies guys but its hard to believe that the Max output i can get from Onkyo 605 is around 50% of maximum volume.

Below are the specifications of my Receiver and Speakers:

Onkyo 605
90 watts minimum continuous power per channel, 8
ohm loads, 2 channels driven from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
with a maximum total harmonic distortion of 0.08 %


Speakers: (all have exact same specification)
Power handling Capacity - 170W
Impedance - 3 Ohm
Frequency range - 90 Hz to 20kHz


Sub: SVS PB12

Are my speakers at fault, If Yes can you please suggest some good speakers below $500 (i have 5.1 setup) which can be easily wall mounted.
As this system exist in family room, i dont want to put tower speakers or big speakers.
I also have one year old so want to wall mount to avoid trip hazard. (All my wires are concealed inside the wall).
My current speakers are medium size but light weight, so are very easy to mount.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Adam]

Impedance - 3 Ohm

That's what stands out to me. The lower the impedance of the speakers, the higher the current draw will be on the receiver's amplifiers for any given volume level. Onkyo's (as far as I know) have pretty good high current capability, but 3 Ohms is below what that unit is rated to handle. If the current draw becomes too high, then the receiver will go into protection mode. I wouldn't expect for it to be a problem at lower volumes, but it certainly could be at higher volumes - and that is consistent with what you have described.

Do you have the North American model of that receiver? The North American model is rated for speakers down to 6 Ohms, whereas the other models are rated down to 4 Ohms.

 

[tanya2ky]

Thanks Adam, i have North American version of receiver, so it goes up to 6 Ohms i guess..

What do you suggest i should do..

I was thinking to modify Receiver Equalizer setting for all speakers.
What i read online was "As you can plainly see, at 75Hz the speaker's impedance is 40 Ohms. At around 100Hz the impedance drops to just over 5-Ohms." Below is the article which i am referencing to and this is the paragraph just below the chart.

http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/feb04/articles/polk/impedence.htm

So if i change Equalizer setting like this, it might help Receiver, what do you say.
80 HZ 0db
120HZ -1db
200HZ -2db
600hz -3db
10KHZ -4db
20KHZ -5db
(My understanding higher frequency means lower impedance and that's in turn means higher power requirements from receiver)

If this doesn't work then i will have to change speakers for which i need some advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Adam]

I'm not that knowledgeable about speaker impedance curves, but I think that they vary from design to design and that you would want to know the curve of your specific speakers. I also don't know if adjustments like that would do much for you.

There are plenty of knowledgeable people here, though, and hopefully one will see this thread and chime in.

Out of curiosity, what speakers (brand and model) do you have?

 

[tanya2ky]

Thanks again Adam , i had bought JVC Home Theater in Box like 4 years back and these are the speakers from that system.

I think it was JVC TH-C6.
I know ultimately i have to change my speakers but was hoping that i can use these for next 6-8 months and save some money during that time period....

 

[Adam]

I've been wondering why this would start after you got your sub. I was going to ask if you plugged the sub into a power outlet on the back of the 605, but the owner's manual indicates that the 605 doesn't have any power outlets.

Let me ask this, though - does the receiver turn off when you turn up the volume to that level if the sub isn't on? Does it happen with the receiver and sub on, but the TV off? I'm wondering if whatever you have your components plugged into can handle the full current draw of your system now that you have added the sub.

 

[AVRat]

The manual for those speakers say they are 3 ohm nominal so that is definitely the problem. Changing Eq settings won't help.

Since you're in Canada, finding decent speakers for ~CA$500 might be tough. SVS SBS/SCS or Infinity P152/PC250 (Best Buy) might work for front three and use 2 of the JVCs for surrounds.

 

[tanya2ky]

Adam , do you mean that the load is too much on the power outlet. ?

You know what i am not sure if Sub is off and i increase the volume if receiver will turn off but i will try it today.

To be honest i dont think i was playing anything that loud before i bought this sub, its only after i have bought this sub i have come to realize the real impact of sub on both music and movies, so i turn the volume around half (or 60%)of the receiver max volume. (initially it was around 40%).

Let me try what you have suggested and i will let you know.

Avrat, i guess now i understand that speaker impedance can be the issue, before that i had no clue what it meant....
If i have to buy new speakers i was thinking to buy Energy take classic 5.0 set..what do you think about it...?

 

[Adam]

Adam , do you mean that the load is too much on the power outlet. ?

Yes, but I was wondering if you were using a power strip or surge protector. However, your answer below likely addresses the issue. It's probably the speaker impedance.

To be honest i dont think i was playing anything that loud before i bought this sub, its only after i have bought this sub i have come to realize the real impact of sub on both music and movies, so i turn the volume around half (or 60%)of the receiver max volume. (initially it was around 40%).

 

[tanya2ky]

Yeh i am using Monster Surge protector.

 

[lsiberian]

Yeh i am using Monster Surge protector.

Maybe that mean Power Strip is to blame.

On a serious not your speakers are rated way too low for any receiver I'm aware of.

Not sure if the Behringer monitors are available in those parts but the 2030p's are pretty decent.

You might also check out SVS for new fronts. Then get something cheap for the surrounds.

I'm only tossing ideas here.

 

[tanya2ky]

Thanks Avrat...

 

[MatthewB.]

I agree, it is very rare when a HTIB speaker will hook up to a regular reciever with good results. Even Bose are not made for regular recievers. Speakers with very low impendence will be like putting a yugo in a Grand Prix race, and the Yugo is trying it's hardest to keep up. It will overdrive the engine (in your case the amp) and finally blow. You are doing nothing but harming that reciever, Immediatly take them out and buy some 6-8ohm speakers, because you are going to get two outcomes with the way you have it now. Either a fire can start or the amp will just shut off permanantly.

 

[markw]

They're right about it being your speakers.

"I just bought a SVS sub and connected to my Onkyo 605 receiver."

Your opening line (above) led me to believe that everything worked fine before you added the sub.

 

[Rickster71]

I would try setting the speakers to 'small.'
Receiver load requirements change a lot, when the LF's are all sent to the sub.

Edit: That's what I get for not reading the whole thread.

You have many problems compounded there. Since you don't know what load is already on that circuit; the resulting voltage drop with the added sub is just adding to the vicious cycle.
Adam and others are on the right track.

Plug the sub into an outlet that's on a different circuit. Even if you have to us an extension cord.
(This is just for temporary test purposes.) Then retest.