Onkyo owners, I have an issue with my new Onkyo 703 that I am trying to resolve as to whether it is operator/ setup error or a faulty receiver. I have had this issue from the get-go.

The issue is that I have not been able to get my subwoofer to work using the subwoofer preout.

It should have been a fairly easy swap of the old Kenwood receiver for the new Onkyo. Just pull the cable out of the Kenwood and into the Onkyo.

Here is what I have checked so far:

1. Onkyo setup menu to insure that the subwoofer is turned on. In the Speaker Configuration, the subwoofer is shown to be on. I have tried turning it off and on a couple of times. I have tried various settings in the setup. In the level calibration, I have the subwoofer setting all the way up to +12dB, and nothing comes out of the subwoofer during the "pink noise" test. All of the other 5 speakers test OK.

2. I have checked the subwoofer cable with my multimeter. Everything checked out OK. Just to be sure, I used a different cable. Still nothing.

3. Read the setup and manual settings sections of the Onkyo receiver several times. Nothing of help in there.

It is a bit puzzling that when I turn the Onkyo on and off, I get a slight "thump" coming out of the subwoofer. This leads me to believe that there is an electrical path from the receiver to the subwoofer. Receiver just may not be sending any signals.

So, my question is: are there any "magical" setup settings that I ought to try before contacting Onkyo?

Any ideas?

ratpack, you’re going to make me confess to something stupid, not that this is what you did but it has all the same symptoms as my mistake. In my rush to setup my new toy I had the exact same problem as you, thump and all. I checked the manual, reconnected my sub with different cables, etc. I was getting a bit miffed. Finally I got mad enough that I pulled out my entire rack and spun it around directly into the day light so I could see what was wrong. Here comes the confession of stupidity, I had plugged my sub cable into the DVD sub which is almost directly under the preouts and both sub connections are purple. Needless to say, user error and I learned a good lesson, slow down and DO NOT use a flashlight to make audio connections, lol. Not necessarily stupidity just was a bit too excited in hooking up my new toy

So I looked at the back of my 602, and wondered: How on Earth did I get lucky enough to NOT make the same error!?

And I was workin' in GOOD light!

I'll bet that happens in more cases than lots of folks will admit!
Rich.

Abyss, as you can see, the DVD inputs on the 703 are just to the left of the preouts. I can see why it would be easy to hit the wrong subwoofer connection. I hope that this is indeed Rat's problem because the solution is so easy.

Bernard, we've been waiting breathlessly to learn if you're plugged in to the right output. If that isn't it, a question about check 2. : do you mean that you measured a voltage output at the end of the cable and that "nothing" referred to sub sound rather than voltage? If so, how much voltage?

A remote possibility is that the sub amp had a sudden failure. Check that by disconnecting one of your main speaker wires and temporarily connecting it to one of the sub's speaker level inputs to check for sound.

Rat, come on man, your keeping us in suspense...

Abyss, F107, Ajax and John: I AM GOING TO MAKE YOUR DAY!!!

The very first thing that I checked when the subwoofer didn't work, was whether I put the cable in the correct preout. And, then I checked it another 5 times!

After reading your posts, I decided to check it again.

#$#@&^%$#@!

I had it in the DVD subwoofer connector!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As many times as I looked at it, I missed that.

To get to the receiver, I have to get down low and look around from the left side. I completely missed seeing all the correct preouts with all of the speaker wires connected.

The woofer is woof'n just fine, now.

As I first posted, I thought that it just might be operator error. Geeeeezzzzzzzzz and it was!!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

LMAO, and it's not as bad as the 702. Here's a pic from the manual and I colored the subs purple, just like on the receiver itself. So my mistake was a bit easier than with the 703 but I'll let it slide

Link to pic
Sorry I have hotlinking enabled on my site, I have to link to the image.

Just had a feeling, it happens to the best of us, welcome to the club, lol.

This has got to be one of the best "Axiom Goofs" for 2006 so far. Give that guy an award...

Rat, I'm glad everything is working now..

Abyss: I have no excuses!!! I took my time, checked it, and then rechecked again. I used a flashlight too.

Have to admit it, I just screwed up.

That's good to hear. One person I thought would not make the wrong connection would have been the Rat . Me thinks the Rat needs to read the manual at least one more time before making the final connections, just kidding ya Bernard, just kidding.

I swear I'l never ever use a flash light again. From now on I'll drag the rack out and a big thanks ratpack, well at least I'm not publicly humiliated alone

I just had this "old gut feeling" that something wasn't quite right!!

And, it wasn't!

LOL!!!!

Hey at least you're up and running now

Roger that!!!!

Rat, there isn't one person here who hasn't made a similar goof. I make them often enough, that when I have a problem, the first possibility I consider is pilot error. More often than not, I'm right. What's more, when I finally discover that the problem, rather than something more serious, is indeed pilot error, the overwhelming sense of relief I experience far exceeds any embarrassment I might feel. I'm so THRILLED that the solution was so simple. I hope you feel the same!

Jack's right!

When we moved into this house, the TV and speakers receeded from our view and earshot range, dang inverse square law; so all at once we needed a new TV, new receiver, new speakers, and, since the distances became so great, a jukebox DVD player so we didn't have to drag our ageing carcasses the extra distances!

(.....ok; only two more feet, but it LOOKED further)

Soooo....

To eliminate any unforseen problems, I downloaded all the manuals weeks in advance, set up a time oriented flow chart, put a copy of each "back panel" on a clipboard with color coded wires plainly marked, opened every curtain and added extra stategically located light sources, held a flight readiness review, got a good nights sleep and a great breakfast, and....

....and still screwed it up

LOL! “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.” - Robert Burns

I'd hate to think of the number of items kick, slapped, cursed, thrown and other forms of abuse due to a simple operator error ... I know I've administered my share only to find later (usually while in the repair shop) it was simply because I didn't 'RTFM'.

Glad you're taken care of Bernard!

I tell you folks, the reason that I posted the problem on this board is that the people here are probably one of the best ANYWHERE in terms of REALLY being technically oriented and helpful.

I was hoping that someone had had a similar problem and obtained a fix. I was correct on that note.

I laughingly say there are two things missing from my Leatherman Supertool... a flashlight and a mirror.

For the very same reasons.

Bren R.

That was my problem at that!!

They're missing from mine as well!
Rich.

Mine's missing an endoscope.