PDA

View Full Version : Q re marantz direct mode and a subwoofer



Blingleberry
10-03-2016, 02:21 PM
I have Sierra 2's LRC and an F12, powered via a Marantz 5009.

I have the sub connected to one of the sub outputs on the receiver. So I'm using the cross over in the receiver.

All sounds great in Stereo mode. I think I am starting to get it dialed in and used the audessey settings.

But when I switch to Marantz direct mode, there's no sub woofer signal being sent. Is there a better way to connect the Sub that would work in any mode?

Thanks!

sludgeogre
10-03-2016, 02:28 PM
That's kind of weird, I still have subwoofer signal when in direct mode on my Marantz AV7701. It should disengage any correction that Audyssey is making, but still use the crossovers, levels, and distances that it set. You may want to check that the subwoofer option is selected as "yes" when you're in direct mode, that may fix it.

Blingleberry
10-03-2016, 02:54 PM
From reading about direct mode is that it bypasses all audio processing. I can see if the sub out is settable in direct mode.

Is there a way to edit settings for different modes? I never figured that out.

One thing I wish the Marantz had was a favorites setting to store customized presets. I would use that for a late night mode that turned off the sub completely!

Blutarsky
10-03-2016, 09:54 PM
I use a Marantz AV7702 MKII Pre-Pro and my dual subwoofers are firing in pure direct mode using the sub outputs. I use the speaker configuration menu to delete my subs for front speaker placement.

Mag_Neato
10-04-2016, 04:40 AM
I use an older Marantz SR6003 for 2 channel with a Rythmik. Your 5009 receiver is probably very similar in that Direct & Pure Direct modes bypass all processing including the sub out. I wanted to run everything in strictly Pure direct and was wondering how to include the sub as well. Since I am using a separate power amp I was able to do this: Marantz SR6003 pre outs feed the inputs of the Rythmik amp - Rythmik amp acts as a fixed 80Hz crossover sending the high-passed signal to my amp which then powers my Sierra-2's. I set the filter toggle on the Rythmik to either the 12db or 24db/octave slope, then adjust the gain to the desired level.

Blingleberry
10-04-2016, 03:57 PM
Thanks. So I would connect the sub to the Preamp outs and then use the cross over on the sub?

I guess that would bypass the audessey settings but I would then just dial the sub in by ear?

Finally, why would I delete the sub from the speaker config? Isn't that necessary to filter out the sub content from the LRC speakers? The Sierra 2's seem to choke out a bit with the sub bass in the signal.

Thanks guys!

sludgeogre
10-04-2016, 04:37 PM
Thanks. So I would connect the sub to the Preamp outs and then use the cross over on the sub?

I guess that would bypass the audessey settings but I would then just dial the sub in by ear?

Finally, why would I delete the sub from the speaker config? Isn't that necessary to filter out the sub content from the LRC speakers? The Sierra 2's seem to choke out a bit with the sub bass in the signal.

Thanks guys!

In order for the method mentioned to work, the subwoofer has to be set to "off" because you aren't technically using the subwoofer as far as the receiver is concerned, you're just using left and right speaker taps from the receiver, going to the speaker taps on the sub, then from the sub out to the speakers.

Mag_Neato
10-04-2016, 09:13 PM
In order for the method mentioned to work, the subwoofer has to be set to "off" because you aren't technically using the subwoofer as far as the receiver is concerned, you're just using left and right speaker taps from the receiver, going to the speaker taps on the sub, then from the sub out to the speakers.

By speaker "taps" I take it you are referring to the speaker binding posts? If so, that's not how I am using the AVR or sub so I'm not sure if the sub's speaker level connection will apply any crossover filtering.

sludgeogre
10-04-2016, 10:03 PM
By speaker "taps" I take it you are referring to the speaker binding posts? If so, that's not how I am using the AVR or sub so I'm not sure if the sub's speaker level connection will apply any crossover filtering.

So, looked at the 5009 manual and you just need to make sure that "LFE+Main" is turned on in direct mode:

- Subwoofer
Turn subwoofer output on and off.
On
(Default):
The subwoofer is used.
Off: The subwoofer is not used.
- You can set this when the sound mode is “Direct” or “Stereo” and in the menu “Subwoofer Mode” is set to “LFE+Main”.

Mag_Neato
10-05-2016, 06:03 AM
So, looked at the 5009 manual and you just need to make sure that "LFE+Main" is turned on in direct mode:

- Subwoofer
Turn subwoofer output on and off.
On
(Default):
The subwoofer is used.
Off: The subwoofer is not used.
- You can set this when the sound mode is “Direct” or “Stereo” and in the menu “Subwoofer Mode” is set to “LFE+Main”.

I took a look at the manual as well. Many changes since I got the 6003. There's a chart on page 243 that shows what channels are active for each mode. For Direct/Pure Direct (2-channel) it shows the sub will output bass per your last quote line, where my 6003 does not do that. I wonder if bass management(crossover) is active in Direct/Pure Direct or if the speakers receive a full range signal? My 6003 does not have any bass management in those modes.

sludgeogre
10-05-2016, 07:31 AM
I took a look at the manual as well. Many changes since I got the 6003. There's a chart on page 243 that shows what channels are active for each mode. For Direct/Pure Direct (2-channel) it shows the sub will output bass per your last quote line, where my 6003 does not do that. I wonder if bass management(crossover) is active in Direct/Pure Direct or if the speakers receive a full range signal? My 6003 does not have any bass management in those modes.

That is really weird. The other thing I would do, then, is run a pair of RCA cables from the L and R 7.1 pre-outs on your receiver to the subwoofer instead of using LFE. Then you would set your speakers to small and dial in the crossover and slope on the subwoofer. You actually get more customization that way, but LFE in movies will be downmixed to stereo (not really a big deal either).

Blingleberry
10-05-2016, 10:09 AM
Thanks all! Can't wait to give it a try!

Blingleberry
10-10-2016, 11:08 AM
Hi there - I can't find the setting mode for LFE in Pure mode. How do I even get to that?

Thx!

sludgeogre
10-10-2016, 04:13 PM
Hi there - I can't find the setting mode for LFE in Pure mode. How do I even get to that?

Thx!

Pure mode outputs no video to the screen at all, so I don't know if you can do it from the on-screen menu, which is the only place that I do it. I don't think the video processing really messes with much so I just always run in Direct, not Pure Direct. On my version, which should be very close to yours, you just select "speakers" from the main menu, then go to "subwoofer" and there should be an option to tell your receiver it's there, and then another that says "mode" which should be set to "LFE+Main". Hope this helps.

Blingleberry
10-14-2016, 10:41 AM
Sorry, I meant direct mode where the screen is on.

In any event, I can set the speaker mode to LFE+Main, but I'm not hearing any sub output in Direct or Direct Pure mode. That only seems to affect Stereo mode, which invokes the audessey processing. And it's hard to compare the quality because the volume difference is large. I'll try direct out from the Preamp as soon as I can find another RCA cable so I can do L & R channels.

Also, with Sierra 2's, if I'm using the Audessey settings, do you recommend using bypass, Reference or Flat for the front L&R?

Thx!

Blutarsky
10-14-2016, 11:06 AM
Try setting your mains to small.

curtis
10-14-2016, 11:08 AM
Sorry, I meant direct mode where the screen is on.

In any event, I can set the speaker mode to LFE+Main, but I'm not hearing any sub output in Direct or Direct Pure mode. That only seems to affect Stereo mode, which invokes the audessey processing. And it's hard to compare the quality because the volume difference is large. I'll try direct out from the Preamp as soon as I can find another RCA cable so I can do L & R channels.

Also, with Sierra 2's, if I'm using the Audessey settings, do you recommend using bypass, Reference or Flat for the front L&R?

Thx!
IMO...it is all a matter of taste. Try everything and see what sounds best to you. It will also give you a better understanding on what the system is doing.

Blingleberry
10-14-2016, 02:24 PM
Try setting your mains to small.

Did that already.