Speakers Sound Too Low

[NaOH]

So I hooked up the PSB Alpha B1s I bought to my Denon AVR 2800 and they sound way to low. I have to crank the receiver all the way up before it sounds normal. I don't have the remote for this receiver so could this be why? If so, can I replace it with a logitech harmony remote?

 

[sdifox]

err what does the volume display says it is playing at? You sure you hooked up the polarities right?

PS Remote has nothing to do with the output level.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: sdifox
err what does the volume display says it is playing at? You sure you hooked up the polarities right?

PS Remote has nothing to do with the output level.

That's what i figured but i ran out of ideas. The output level says 14. That's the max it goes up to. From experience it starts in the negatives and goes down and should be plenty loud before it gets to zero.

The receiver seems like it should put out adequate power so, I don't know.

 

[Tiamat]

Play some rock music, put your ear right up to the drivers. Do all of the tweeters and woofers work?

Also, check your speaker cable, is it heavily oxidized?

Make sure that the polarity is correct. Black -> Black, Red -> Red from amp to speaker.

Make sure your speakers are hooked up to the Front L/R connections on the amp.

Make sure your receiver is in stereo mode.

 

[NaOH]

Yes

 

[Tiamat]

^

Reset your receiver to default settings.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: NaOH

Originally posted by: sdifox
err what does the volume display says it is playing at? You sure you hooked up the polarities right?

PS Remote has nothing to do with the output level.

That's what i figured but i ran out of ideas. The output level says 14. That's the max it goes up to. From experience it starts in the negatives and goes down and should be plenty loud before it gets to zero.

The receiver seems like it should put out adequate power so, I don't know.

ok, if it is going to +14 and you have problem with that, something is fucked. Did you do sound level calibration? Maybe that is being set really low in terms of -15db or something per channel.

Just for your reference, I play music at -20db normally. Mine has been calibrated so I don't know what your exact situation is.

The speakers you got have decent efficiency so I am not quite sure what is going on.
Also, what are you using as source and how is it hooked up?

Your receiver should have a tuner, try playing fm radio and see what happens

 

[NaOH]

Yeah, the polarity is correct. It is also brand new 14gauge wire. It is hooked up to the L/R A front speakers on the back and I even tried the B Front L/R. Receiver is in stereo mode and that is the mode where it is the loudest. I don't have an external amp btw.

 

[NaOH]

Source is my DVR cable box which is hooked up using an optic cable between the dvr box an the receiver. I never calibrated it because I don't know how to do any of the setup stuff without the remote. But checking the levels, it's all at 0db

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Yeah, the polarity is correct. It is also brand new 14gauge wire. It is hooked up to the L/R A front speakers on the back and I even tried the B Front L/R. Receiver is in stereo mode and that is the mode where it is the loudest. I don't have an external amp btw.

Is this through computer or CDP/DVD/game console?

Try the FM radio just for kicks as mentioned above.

 

[NaOH]

Ok so i think i figured it out. I believe my receiver is kind of fuxored. If i jiggle the receiver then the sound does go loud like it should. But then it sometimes drops back down. Almost like fiddling with a fucked up cable, bending it back and forth to get it to conduct. GARRR...hate getting hand me down shit.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Ok so i think i figured it out. I believe my receiver is kind of fuxored. If i jiggle the receiver then the sound does go loud like it should. But then it sometimes drops back down. Almost like fiddling with a fucked up cable, bending it back and forth to get it to conduct. GARRR...hate getting hand me down shit.

Since it is well out of warranty, you can open it up and check to see if any parts are just not hooked up. Of course, unplug the receiver before doing this and let the capacitors discharge for 5 minutes.

 

[NaOH]

Yeah, I'll take a look after work. Glad it's not the speakers though. I have the receiver resting on the ledge of my tv stand pointing diagnol towards the ground. It is the only way for it to work. I'm sure a solder joint came loose or the board is all warped. Oh well, looks like I'll be in the market for a new receiver =). Could explain why my sub wasn't working as well.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Ok so i think i figured it out. I believe my receiver is kind of fuxored. If i jiggle the receiver then the sound does go loud like it should. But then it sometimes drops back down. Almost like fiddling with a fucked up cable, bending it back and forth to get it to conduct. GARRR...hate getting hand me down shit.

Is the speaker terminal lose as in does it wiggle a little? If so, you may just have to open it up and tighten the nut holding it against the backplate. You might have some lose solder joints otherwise and there is no way I can diagnose that through the internet.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: NaOH
Ok so i think i figured it out. I believe my receiver is kind of fuxored. If i jiggle the receiver then the sound does go loud like it should. But then it sometimes drops back down. Almost like fiddling with a fucked up cable, bending it back and forth to get it to conduct. GARRR...hate getting hand me down shit.

Is the speaker terminal lose as in does it wiggle a little? If so, you may just have to open it up and tighten the nut holding it against the backplate. You might have some lose solder joints otherwise and there is no way I can diagnose that through the internet.

Yeah, unfortunately, its gonna be tough to diagnose over the internet, and in the end, it may not be worth spending too much effort with it.

NaOH: what's your "emergency" budget for a new receiver?

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: NaOH
Ok so i think i figured it out. I believe my receiver is kind of fuxored. If i jiggle the receiver then the sound does go loud like it should. But then it sometimes drops back down. Almost like fiddling with a fucked up cable, bending it back and forth to get it to conduct. GARRR...hate getting hand me down shit.

Is the speaker terminal lose as in does it wiggle a little? If so, you may just have to open it up and tighten the nut holding it against the backplate. You might have some lose solder joints otherwise and there is no way I can diagnose that through the internet.

Yeah, unfortunately, its gonna be tough to diagnose over the internet, and in the end, it may not be worth spending too much effort with it.

NaOH: what's your "emergency" budget for a new receiver?

I agree, I don't have the tools at my new place to do any kind of bandage work on this unit. The time spent getting the supplies, equipment, and time spent fixing could be put into overtime at work to go buy a new one.

I would say around 500, and not more than that. I always wanted a Marantz, but willing to keep my options open. I don't need a 7.1 receiver as the most I am willing to squeeze into my little studio is a 5.1 system. I currently just have 2.1 and it seems enough for me. I'm more of a music guy.

 

[NaOH]

Also, i don't think i'd mind leaving the receiver half on the tv stand and half on the ground for the time being hahaha. I'm in no rush if it kinda works. But I would like to one day have an avr that sits horizontal like a good one should.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Also, i don't think i'd mind leaving the receiver half on the tv stand and half on the ground for the time being hahaha. I'm in no rush if it kinda works. But I would like to one day have an avr that sits horizontal like a good one should.

LOL, just make sure no one trips on it and stubs their toes or falls.

500$ can get a decent receiver in the event you need to go shopping for one.

 

[NaOH]

What do you suggest? Looking at a Marantz or HK

 

[NaOH]

Text

Wow this is pretty cheap. And you get 10% off too!

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: NaOH
What do you suggest? Looking at a Marantz or HK

Both are pretty good, definitely get one with features that allow you to manage the bass crossover. Many stereo receivers do not have bass management unfortunately. Onkyo may have good alternatives as well...

You want to make sure that the receiver is comfortable with the 4ohm impedance as well as 8ohm.

In your price range is the new SR4003 from Marantz. It may have many more features than you actually need, but that's up to you.

HK has some stereo receivers (3490), but it is not clear to me whether they offer an adjustable crossover. They do have subwoofer outputs, but I didn't see any mention of the bass management.

 

[NaOH]

I'm probably looking for a one that has more than 2 channels. So I may add rear speakers if I want to.

Damn, that Marantz really caught my eye..*Drool

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: NaOH
I'm probably looking for a one that has more than 2 channels. So I may add rear speakers if I want to.

Damn, that Marantz really caught my eye..*Drool

It is 50$ overbudget though

I'm strictly 2-channel, so there are many features that you will have to read about or ask PurdueRy or yoyo about. You definitely want bass management and if the receiver does mention it is certified for 4ohm loads (or can double its wattage into 4 ohms), that would be a PLUS. With transistor amps, you don't really have to worry about it, but its nice to have.

When it comes to THX-blah blah, HDMI 1.3a, and things like that, I don't know much here :/

It gets more complicated as you breach the 1k$ mark and into 2k$ mark with the automated parametric equalization room corrective softwares that comes with the receivers. They basically measure the acoustical properties of your room and correct for major problems. There are so many version of this kind of program and its hard to know which version does what and which one is better!

 

[NaOH]

It's okay, I'll tell myself it's an investment.