subwoofer auto/on problems

[manofsteel2397]

can anybody tell me how rewire an acoustic research subwoofer so it disables the auto/on/off switch to stay on all the time very frustrated by it cutting out at low volumes and cant afford to buy a new one at this time the sub i have is pr1010

 

[MDS]

Most of the time auto-on problems are caused by too low of a signal to the sub. In my experience, it works more reliably if the level in the receiver is greater than zero. You may have to reduce the volume on the sub itself to get the output level to match the other channels when you calibrate each chanel of the receiver.

If the sub has both left and right line-level inputs, you can also try using a Y-adapter to connect to both inputs from the single receiver subwoofer out. Doing so will double the voltage to sub, resulting in ~6 dB gain.

 

[Cavediver]

I was having the same problem with my sub and adjusting the channel level didn't fix the problem.

This is what I discovered: The bass level limiter in my receiver is what actually sets or limits the subwoofer output by the receiver. It was set to -60 dB by default which was inaudible, so the receiver wasn't putting out any signal to the sub. Once I set the bass level limiter to 0dB, the sub started working perfectly. The gain knob on the sub is used to adjust the volume of the sub itself and the channel level in the receiver is used to balance the sub with the other speakers. I know this seems simple to more experienced folks, but being a newbie to this realm, (Up until last month I've never owned a receiver or a subwoofer); it took me several days to figure this out.

 

[Nick250]

If the sub has both left and right line-level inputs, you can also try using a Y-adapter to connect to both inputs from the single receiver subwoofer out. Doing so will double the voltage to sub, resulting in ~6 dB gain.

That's what Hsu suggests in VTF2 manual. Works so far (five years) for me.

 

[corysmith01]

I had the same problem a while back and also found success once I started using a y adapter. Now, I have no problems with the sub cutting on when it should. P. Express, Blue Jeans Cable, Cobalt...all these and I'm sure a lot of others offer the adapter. Could be worth a try.

 

[wilmeland]

the key is boosting signal to sub input

I believe that you may have to boost the output amp sub level and reduce the level of other speakers. Also, the idea of re-setting speaker size should be considered. If you switch from large to small, it should send more signal to the sub keeping the amp active.

 

[manofsteel2397]

i think my sub may be defective

i have the sub volume on the receiver turned up to 10 started useing the y adapter the other day works better but still cuts out now and then unless i have the volume at -60db or higher is this normal to cut out at low volumes also what should the lfe mix level be set at on the receiver i have a choice of -20db to 0, i have my speakers set to small the volume on my rear speakers is set to 10 and center is 8.5 no setings for the mains and my crossover on the reciever is set to std or 120db/ i only have this problem watching regular tv dvd works fine and music works fine (have to turn the sub down when put music on way to much base)

 

[ggunnell]

Having just had to return some very promising new products due to this problem, I regretfully advise folks to no longer purchase auto-on audio products unless they have a hard on setting or are actually on at idle all the time.

TV may not have enough low bass to keep the auto-on circuit charged up.

Parts Express has some pretty inexpensive plate amps if the driver and cabinet are worth saving...

 

[MDS]

Well, one could argue that if there is no low bass for the subwoofer to play then it does not need to be on.

The only real issue is that if the sub is mostly off and then suddenly there is low bass and it must turn itself back on there can be a slight delay or thump and that can be annoying.

 

[manofsteel2397]

seem to fixed the problem

i started using the y adaptor and turned the center and rear speakers down while leaveing the sub level set to 10 and turned the volume on the sub down works better as long as i listen to the volume at around 60db which is sometimes louder than i want when my daughter is sleeping but the sub stays on longer and doesnt go on and off again like it used to