Sub-woofer not operational when streaming direct from iTunes to amp

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Sub-woofer not operational when streaming direct from iTunes to amp

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matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1621509 2-Sep-2016 16:50

Update :

This test run with the exact same track:

1. using the ATV interface : sub works

2. using the iMac via iTunes, with 'AppleTV' selected as the source : (now have audio!) and sub works.

3. using the iMac via iTunes, with 'Denon amp' selected as source : sub does not work.

This test run with the same track, albeit a different one to above :

1. From iPhone, using Airplay to ATV : sub works

2. From iPhone, using Airplay to Denon amp : sub doesn't work

Seems that as soon as I try and use AirPlay using the Denon amp as the device, the sub doesn't work

richms

28172 posts

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#1621511 2-Sep-2016 16:51

matt17:

The website says their response is 52Hz – 20kHz ± 3dB on reference axis...means nothing to me! Should I tell the amp they're 'small'?

Small for sure with 52Hz.

The other issue is that you dont know what power levels that was measured at, very common to do it with a tiny power level where the speakers can cope, but crank it and put 50Hz into it and you get crazy distortion, sending the low to a sub will let the speakers do what is left better than if they try to push out all that 50Hz content.

Then there is also the problem that the amount of low end is very variable between mixes, depending on when it was mixed. 70's to 80s music had a lot more low end before they started trickery to remove it and still sound bassy, so if you play modern stuff dont expect a sub that is only trying to do below 40Hz to really be doing anything.

Richard rich.ms

richms

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#1621514 2-Sep-2016 16:52

matt17:

Seems that as soon as I try and use AirPlay using the Denon amp as the device, the sub doesn't work

Possibly the ATV is doing bass management on its own and is putting content on the .1 channel, which the amp is just faithfully passing thru to the subwoofer as an effects channel. I have limited experiance with apple tvs because they dont really do anything I need.

Richard rich.ms

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1621523 2-Sep-2016 16:57

Ok - I'll set the 2 main speakers to 'small' and see what effect that has...

illicit

553 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1621546 2-Sep-2016 17:26

Check the sound 'mode' also - stereo/dolby surround/dts etc could just be on the wrong setting on that input

trig42

5810 posts

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#1622876 5-Sep-2016 09:15

illicit:

Check the sound 'mode' also - stereo/dolby surround/dts etc could just be on the wrong setting on that input

Yep, this.

When you have the AMP on Airplay input, check what sound modes is activated. Possible it detects the 2 channels of audio, and nothing on the .1 channel (sub) and is just doing what it is told. Try changing sound modes when playing by Airplay direct to the Denon and see if that wakes the Sub up.

The Amp is definitely causing your issue, and it will not be a fault - just a setting that needs a tweak.

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1622880 5-Sep-2016 09:19

OK - will start fiddling with the sound modes on the amp to see what I can produce. Will let you know. Thanks!

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rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1622884 5-Sep-2016 09:27

matt17:
OK - will start fiddling with the sound modes on the amp to see what I can produce. Will let you know. Thanks!

Hi have you set the speakers to small yet ? That should be all you need to do as per this

http://denon.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/48/~/speakers---large-or-small-setting

My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3

matt17

92 posts

Master Geek

#1622902 5-Sep-2016 09:50

I did set them to 'small'. From memory, that was done before the testing above, where the music streamed direct from Mac to amp, and the sub wasn't operating. Will check again later today to confirm.

richms

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#1622916 5-Sep-2016 10:13

If they are on small and nothing is coming out the sub, check you havent turned on any source direct or similar mode that bypasses processing in the device. These are typically useless and just added to make things seem more audiophile to people that dont know what they are doing.

Richard rich.ms

afe66

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#1622990 5-Sep-2016 12:45

(Ive got the x3000)

When playing audio, press the info button on the remote and it will show you two graphics listing all the input and output speakers.

ie "Input Signal Speaker configuration and active speaker configuration"

From this you will be able to workout what signal the Amplifier thinks it is getting. Try looking at what input speaker are active when playing from the various sources.

If the AMP doesnt get a sub signal when using one mode, it might be just crippled by Apple in that mode.

Alternatives would be to try using the surround modes to create virtual sub signal ie like it does when you convert a pure stereo signal into virtual surround .

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