1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Denon 3802 goes into Standby when Bass hits

Discussion in 'Receivers and amplifiers' started by fuctup, Apr 12, 2006.

  1. fuctup

    fuctup Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Hello All - New to the forums here, and have done a decent bit of searching to troubleshoot my receiver problem, but I still have issues.

    Background - Denon 3802 receiver, 5.1 surround, monster cables, Klipsch speakers and powered subwoofer.
    Perfectly fine operation for about 5 years, no trouble at all, very pleased. About a week ago, when watching a movie (can't remember which) with low rumble of bass during a certain scene, receiver cutoffs off, standby light flashing have to turn it off and turn it back on to get it to work. Rewind to exactly the same scene and at exact same moment with bass hit, and the same thing happens.

    I found a thread on this site with someone having a similar issue caused by non-powered sub, so I figured I'll reconfigure the denon to not use the sub and completely unplug it from the setup but the same thing happens at volume (not blasting music, probably set to about -25).

    Before I try to find a repair place I figured, I would see if it was a setup problem. Any advice would be appreciated.......

    Rob

    EDIT: I see there is a thread 2 below mine with similar people having similar issues with different receivers. I will try checking all connection for stray wires, and then test the system removing speakers from the setup 1 by 1. Again, anything else I should try????
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2006
  2. gerry1

    gerry1 Guest

    Sounds like too much power going to something that can't take it. What size are your fronts and surrounds (or maybe you could post the models of the various speakers including sub). What is the crossover to the sub set at? ... Gerry
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 12, 2006
  3. boxwrench

    boxwrench Guest

    Could also be an impedence mis-match between receiver and speakers,some speakers can require an amplifier to dip as low 2 ohms to output certain frequencies. This is something that only a few amps.can do without strain.
    Has this problem just started? If so,and after checking all connections they appear fine,I would think your receiver might need to see the doctor.
    Protection circuits can also flake out,I had an old Technics receiver that the "protect" light was always on. That unit though would play flawlessly at any volume level.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 12, 2006
  4. fuctup

    fuctup Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Gerry - ksw15 sub, floor standing fronts, large center, mediom rears.

    Can't remember the exact models for the speakers other than the sub. I find it strange to have this setup work for 5 years then crap-out suddenly w/ power issues. I'll check the models and crossover setting tonight and get back to you.

    Boxwrench - Yeah, this just started happening.

    Rob
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2006
  5. boxwrench

    boxwrench Guest

    Yea,this is beginning to sound more like an issue with the Denon,does it do this in 2ch.mode while listening to music also?
     
  6. fuctup

    fuctup Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Yep, in 2 channel also.

    This is what I am going to do tonight. 1-Reset the processor on the receiver 2-retwist all speakerwire 3-remove speakers from setup 1 by 1 to narrow down problem 4-????? Anything else I could try?

    Rob
     
  7. boxwrench

    boxwrench Guest

    No,I don't think there's a whole lot more you could do.You seem to have all the right ideas....do you have a digital multi-meter?
     
  8. fuctup

    fuctup Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Did a search and found the model #'s for my speakers.

    Reference series speakers. RF3 fronts, RC3 center, RS3 rears to go along with the ksw15 sub

    Rob
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2006
  9. gerry1

    gerry1 Guest

    Ah great...I just want to look up a few things about the the amp and speakers. Box is totally right...you're going about it the right way step by step; one at a time. What are you using for speaker wire? What is you're avr set for for the subs crossover frequency?
     
  10. boxwrench

    boxwrench Guest

    The speaker specs look pretty impressive! I don't see any possible issues with impedence,though you may want to check each one individually with a meter to eliminate any internal speaker/crossover problems.If you descide that you no longer want them,let me know.lol!
    Got to leave for work now, I'll check back later.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 12, 2006
  11. fuctup

    fuctup Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Box, Gerry - Thanks for the help. It's very appreciated. I have to admit I am not an audiophile. I did a ton of research before I put this system together several years ago and haven't really thought about it since. I have to reread the manual and reset up everything before I can answer your question about the crossover (the point where sub audio frequency crosses over to the other speakers?). UGHHHH....What a nightmare. I'll reset it up from scracth over the next couple of days. Is there a FAQ area where I can brush up on my terminology? That would probably allow for more useful answers to your questions......

    Again. Thanks for the help guys.

    Rob

    EDIT: I don't have any meters or anything to test with.. My bro might have something like that. He is good for having soldering irons, and random tools and bullsh*t that seem useless to him laying around.....

    I'll check and let you guys know.
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2006
  12. fuctup

    fuctup Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    11
    Alright. I did a bit of troubleshooting last night and it looks like the problem was frayed wire from the satellite installer laying wires behind my wall unit. It seems the guy tried to move the right front speaker further than the speaker wire allowed pulling the raw speaker wire partially out of the connector. I still haven't finished putting all the inputs and retwisting the speaker wire for the surrounds, but I have tested in 2.1 with the volume very loud with no problems. For those that helped me (box, gerry), THANKS! I will keep you guys informed.

    Rob
     
  13. boxwrench

    boxwrench Guest

    Cool! Let us know how things work out.
     
  14. gerry1

    gerry1 Guest

    Hi Box and fuctup (interesting username guy; easy to remember LOL!) My apologies for the delay...I've bitten off more than I can chew the last couple of days. Indeed, keep us posted but what you've discovered will result in the problem you described. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya'! I'm not sure what sort of speaker wire you're using but it should be a minimum of 16g (the diameter of the wire). While I think that people go hog wild and spend foolish amounts of money on cables and wire, it is important that you use good speaker wire of at least 16g. If your using some cheapy thin Kart bargain stuff, change it.

    Box is right, the specs for your speakers are impressive and review after review had nothing but high praise for them ... the only "cons" were nothing of consequence (they didn't like the "feet" and the grills LOL!). I do have a couple of suggestions after reading about your speakers.

    1. Since your speakers have rear ports, you should keep them a minimum of two feet from the wall behind them which will disperse the sound a lot better, make the sound less "directional" and reduce the "sweet-spot" phenomenon.

    2. When you use the set up, you'll see on your TV what Denon will label "speaker setup menu". Choose the "speaker configuration" option, you want to set your fronts to "Large" and set the sub to "yes".

    3. In that same "speaker setup menu" choose the "Crossover Frequency" option and set it to 80Hz. This sets the lower frequencies which will be sent to the sub. (This selection is turned off when you set your speakers to small).

    4. Again, in the same "speaker setup menu" choose the "subwoofer Mode Setup" you want to choose the option that reads "LFE + Main".

    5. With the sub, what you want to do is to set the sub so that the "level" is higher and you want to DECREASE the "lowpass" to about its half way point...even a bit lower (these are the two knobs on the rear of the unit). A subwoofer is like a kid...should be seen and not heard LOL! Bass is non directional ... if you can tell where its coming from, it isn't set right. Klip makes awesome subs, the bass is nice and deep but firm, not muddy or mushy.

    6. Lastly, your RF3 fronts are very sensitive (moreso than most fronts) which means that it doesn't require much power to drive them. When you listen to music, you absolutely want your fronts set to "large"; but as strange as this is going to sound, when you watch any video ...tv, dvd, vcr...try setting your fronts to "small". I know that sounds a little strange but it will actually highlight the sound effects from front to rear by reducing the "wall of sound" directly in front of you. How it works is that it will override the crossover frequency that you previously set ... rather than send only the very lowest sounds to the sub, it will also send the bottom 1/3 of the midrange to the sub. The consequence of this is that it reduces ...not the dbs but its place of dispertion so the sound effects in the soundtrack will be highlighted by removing some of the sound around them. So even though you have large towers, try setting them to small when you watch DVDs to see if you prefer the greater presence of the sound effects encoded. Set them back to large when you listen to music.

    Let us know how you make out! ....Gerry
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 13, 2006

Share This Page