Seeking Help Setting up Receiver properly

[pjewett]

I've setup my Home Theatre System as best I can being a newbie and do get decent sound but am sure I don't have everything right. Any suggestions any pros out there might have more optimizing my rig would be very appreciated.

My setup:

Receiver:JVC RX-778 VBK Receiver High End Audiophile
* Stereo: 110 watts per channel, Surround: 2 x 110w, 8 ohms, 20Hz to
20kHz, with 0.006% T.H.D.
* Surround Front: 100 watts per channel, 8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.8% T.H.D.
* Surround Center: 100 watts, 8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.8% T.H.D.
* Surround Rear: 100 watts per channel, 8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.8% T.H.D.
* Dolby Digital Decoder built in
* Dolby Digital, Dolby Surround Pro Logic
* Banana-plug speaker terminals (front left/right (1/2)
* High-rigidity Z-Chassis
* 3-D PHONIC
* Digital Acoustics Processor (DAP), with 4 preset sound fields
* Multi-Color On-Screen Display
* Multi-brand A/V-CATV-DBS remote control with TEXT DISPLAY key
* One touch operation
* Subwoofer input
* 3-band electronic S.E.A. equalization with 5 presets and 1 manual
setting for each source
* 3 video inputs: VCR, DVD, DBS
* 4 audio inputs: PHONO, CD, TAPE/MD, TV SOUND
* 2 optical digital inputs with assignable function (DBS, CD, MD, DVD)
* S-video input/output
* Loudness on/off
* TEXT COMPU LINK
* A/V COMPU LINK
* 15 AM and 30 FM station memory with character input for each station
* Enhanced COMPU LINK Control System

Speaker System: Bose Acoustimass 700 six speaker system
There's (3) cube speakers and (2) larger front speakers.
Note: There are (6) total connections (all bare wire) in the back of the subwoofer (at least I think it's a subwoofer).

* the lower three are clearly labeled as center, right, left and are
connected to the corresponding connections on the back of the
receiver.
* the upper are for the cube speakers and they are connected.
* there is absolutely no power cord coming out of this subwoofer(?) and it
seems it must get it's power from the receiver via the center, right, left
connections? this seems odd to me and i'm confused about it.
* though i get sound from the cubes and fronts i get nothing from this
bose subwoofer unit.

DVD: Kawasaki 5 Disk DVD/CD player

*RCA VID
*SVIDEO

TV: Magnavox 32 inch Color

*RCA VID
*SVIDEO

My questions:

As the main unit of my speaker system seems to not have a power source do I need to purchase another component that would have it's own power, and sit in the middle of the receiver and Bose sub(still assuming it's a sub)?

I have SVIDEO connections on my T.V., DVD and receiver. How do I properly use these connections?

Currently DVD is RCA out to RCA in on receiver and then back out to RCA in on T.V.

I'll take any suggestions on how to improve this existing setup.

Thanks!

 

[xboxweasel]

I thought that with an Bose Acoustimass unit you simple connect the speaker outputs from the receiver to the Acoustimass. Then connect all speakers to the Acoustimass.

Since you have an Acoustimass unit I think you would be better off setting all your speakers to Large (in the receiver). Disable any subwoofer output (in the receiver). The acoustimass takes care of the crossover work.

You should setup the speaker distance and speaker levels (in the receiver). Refer to the manual (or like some people say: RTFM).

You might also get better (different) sound if you (can) use optical digital connections between the DVD/CD player.

I think you did it correctly. Stick you ear close to the acoustimass. Maybe turn up the volume. Or the unit could be defective. Do you have any DVDs with the THX audio/video setup program (look for THX rated DVS's - like Signs)? You can use that to test your speaker set-up too.

If you can, use S-video for all your video connections. It's a much better picture compared to using RCA (composite) connections. Use s-video instead of composite. From DVD out to receiver in; receiver out to TV in. Or go directly from the DVD player to the TV if you only have one video source. Less connections, less possible interference.

 

[Darth Mike]

Step 1: Get out the manuals to your reciever, speaker system, and dvd player... then, RTFM's

STEP 2: RTFM's once more for good measure.

STEP 3: Check manufacturer sites for help.

Step 4: Once you have gathered all the above mentioned resources, try to find your issue.

Step 5: Fix it.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker setup.

Concerning your Bose speakers, they refer to the box as the "Bass module" and not a sub woofer. This is because the Bass module only plays in the 60-200 Hz frequency range and has a couple of 6" woofers. This is really playing the Mids for those satellite speakers which cutt off above 200 Hz.
In contrast, a "real subwoofer" will have a 10" or 12" woofer and its own amplifier and will play down to the 20 Hz range.

If you are not happy with the performance level of your Bose speakers, there are plenty of good alternatives.

 

[Nick250]

Some improvement in SQ might be gained by careful speaker placement choices and room treatments.

Nick

 

[Darth Mike]

I took (wasted) the time to look at the manufacturer website and search for your setup, unfortunatly B(l)ose doesn't support those speakers any longer, I guess... I was unable to find anything that was even CLOSE to the same as far as those fronts... While thinking over your issue I came to these conclusions:

Some improvements in headache management and overall listening enjoyment may be had by taking all your little cube speakers and (mid)bass module and carefully positioning them them in a closet.

When they are playing be sure to keep the aforementioned closet door shut.

You may try banging on the lid of a trash can with a wooden spoon while listening for optimal SQ.


-or-


Return them, sell them, or turn them off and use your TV speakers...

 

[xboxweasel]

Looks like this thread is running here as well. I've posted some replies there too.