Basic home audio stuffs (mbm and co.)

Subs are a total fucking mystery to me.

Sub is connected with RCA's. Two connections into the sub, one into the receiver in the "subwoofer pre out" port. Play 5.1 movie. Sub does nothing. This was the same problem I had with it before. It seems to have a mind of it's own. The auto-on feature never works at all. If I'm watching a movie and want to use it I have to physically reach behind it and turn it on. And even then it may decide to play bass stuff or it might sit there totally fking silent. Not sure if the sub is shit or my receiver is shit. I'm leaning toward the sub. :dry:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiz

Subs are a total fucking mystery to me.
Sub is connected with RCA's. Two connections into the sub, one into the receiver in the "subwoofer pre out" port. Play 5.1 movie. Sub does nothing. This was the same problem I had with it before. It seems to have a mind of it's own. The auto-on feature never works at all. If I'm watching a movie and want to use it I have to physically reach behind it and turn it on. And even then it may decide to play bass stuff or it might sit there totally fking silent. Not sure if the sub is shit or my receiver is shit. I'm leaning toward the sub. :dry:

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Just a few questions Skiz...:)

-Are you using a Y rca cable to merge the L & R connections from the sub Yes or NO?? Then a single connection straight to the amp not 2??
If you don't have a Y rca cable just choose L or R single connection and only one connection goes to the Amp (if there are 2 sub output(just should read sub not 5.1 or anything else) try either one til you get sound plus go buy a Y cable for a better connection if you don't have one:D

I don't remember if you posted the model of the Amp but in all cases there should be a sub output?? try using that:D Then do a test on speaker connections so you know the amp is recognizing whatever is connected..

And you can also check the volume on the sub and make sure it is 50% or more....
And plug the electric plug from the sub in the wall not the amp:D

Troubleshooting....

-Make sure on the amp the Sub channel is turned on in settings....(set fronts to small for now until you get sound coming out of sub in tests
-Still no sound try a different rca cable but remember only single rca connection goes to the amp:D

PS.. Not saying you didn't know all of this already Skiz:D just made a check list for you .....
Remember that is 2 connections for 2 separate subs
Attachment 165304
Report back if all of this didn't work Skiz.......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shaina

Just a few questions Skiz...:)

-Are you using a Y rca cable to merge the L & R connections from the sub Yes or NO?? Then a single connection straight to the amp not 2??
If you don't have a Y rca cable just choose L or R single connection and only one connection goes to the Amp (if there are 2 sub output(just should read sub not 5.1 or anything else) try either one til you get sound plus go buy a Y cable for a better connection if you don't have one:D

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No Y cables or anything special. Just a normal RCA cable. Both connectors plugged in to the sub. Only one connection plugged in to the receiver. Seems really odd to me but that's the way people on Google said to do it. Why would I plug in both to the sub if I'm only plugging in one to the receiver...?

I'm plugged in like this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shaina

I don't remember if you posted the model of the Amp but in all cases there should be a sub output?? try using that:D Then do a test on speaker connections so you know the amp is recognizing whatever is connected..

And you can also check the volume on the sub and make sure it is 50% or more....
And plug the electric plug from the sub in the wall not the amp:D

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Yamaha RX-V375

Sub output plug...I think that's what I'm plugged in to right (see above photo). :unsure:

Sub "volume" is set right at about 50%. Once I stray beyond that a hum begins to be audible.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shaina

Troubleshooting....

-Make sure on the amp the Sub channel is turned on in settings....(set fronts to small for now until you get sound coming out of sub in tests
-Still no sound try a different rca cable but remember only single rca connection goes to the amp:D

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by shaina

PS.. Not saying you didn't know all of this already Skiz:D just made a check list for you .....
Remember that is 2 connections for 2 separate subs
Attachment 165304
Report back if all of this didn't work Skiz.......

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Sub channel is on in settings. Again, when I manually flip the rear switch, it works...sometimes.

Have tried 2 different cables. :no:

Looks right Skiz:D (But just use the one connection into the sub and to the amp (L or R, and pull the one not connected to anything else out, it is not needed for now unless you do have a Y connector and never turn the sub power switch off:noes: always leave it on:yup:):) :D

Try turning the Mixer (or whatever it is called) knob up to 75-80% on the sub , and check on the amp the sub volume is not on full(if it is lower that one and raise sub to 75%), that may be causing the buzzing noise...(that is a trial and error crap.... Patients my friend:D)

Did you do a channel/speaker test?? (you hear the distortion noise on each speaker connected and sub )...there should be a button on the remote to do that......

To be honest a Y cable may fix that:D
Attachment 165305
Attachment 165306

Also you could connect the sub the speaker wire way as well and see if that gives you better results (not really sure if it will tho, but trial and error thing..)

Also is there any legs or bottom protectors on the sub?? You could try to raise the sub off the carpet :D

And what settings are you using on the Amp to test the sound?? Try putting it in stereo mode only, and see if you are getting Boom Boom!!
No matter what you fiddle with on the amp Skiz without some sort of rear speakers connected (i don't care where they are placed , just for the amp to register the 5 speakers connected), really that is the way they are designed to operate in certain modes:idunno:

Skiz just keep patients, and fiddle around with the volume levels..Once it is all done then it is set and you are done.....

Sorry Skiz because it is not in front of me ,The first question i really should have asked you is what are you using/connected to the amp to test the sound signals??(eg. cable box, media box, blu ray straight to TV etc...??)....You don't need to have anything connected to test the speaker connections, but what you are using to broadcast may change quality etc. on the sub, and speakers, and how it is being picked up:D.....

Trial and error sooner or later will work Skiz:D

Regards
Shay

PS. Meg....:D:D:D
Your suggestions are welcome, if you can think of something else :D

TV purchased. Polk Monitor 75T's purchased. All are en route.

The gf didn't like the idea of having such a big tv, so somehow it turns out that if I buy a white tv stand, that'll make her ok with it. So I gotta buy one of those too. :pinch:

Cawk teasers!! Ordered two speakers. Got one speaker delivered today! One!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiz

Cawk teasers!! Ordered two speakers. Got one speaker delivered today! One!

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DOH! Are you supposed to get the other one tomorrow, or are you waiting through the weekend now?

Sorry, haven't been watching this thread lately. Did you get the sub figured out? If not, I'll look at how mine is configured. As Shay pointed out, there are quite a few configurations.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Sorry, haven't been watching this thread lately. Did you get the sub figured out? If not, I'll look at how mine is configured. As Shay pointed out, there are quite a few configurations.

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To be honest... I only have one powered sub that will connect with the speaker configuration (out of 4). The rest you have to use RCA/Composite connections (and i use Y connector of course :D). If i remember correctly Meg you are using 12" subs, and i would think you have them connected with RCA/Composite:D, But that would be just a guess:D

But i would suggest when Skiz gets his other speaker delivered:noes:(fuckin retarded!!:rolleyes: , and really sounds like a reputable place where they were purchased:idunno:), I would try the speaker wire way and not use the RCA connection at all...(again trial and error thing:D)

As for the White TV Stand Skiz .... IKEA!!! here we come!!:yahoo:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiz

Cawk teasers!! Ordered two speakers. Got one speaker delivered today! One!

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DOH! Are you supposed to get the other one tomorrow, or are you waiting through the weekend now?

Sorry, haven't been watching this thread lately. Did you get the sub figured out? If not, I'll look at how mine is configured. As Shay pointed out, there are quite a few configurations.

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No worries.

Haven't tinkered with the sub any further. I'll just see how things go once everything is hooked up and go from there.

Newegg did it through one of those third party delivery services so who knows. The tracking says it's here in town so maybe if I'm lucky it'll be here tomorrow. Latest Monday. The one I did receive is really fucking big. Much larger than I remembered in my head when I did some measuring last year. :ermm:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shaina

To be honest... I only have one powered sub that will connect with the speaker configuration (out of 4). The rest you have to use RCA/Composite connections (and i use Y connector of course :D). If i remember correctly Meg you are using 12" subs, and i would think you have them connected with RCA/Composite:D, But that would be just a guess:D

But i would suggest when Skiz gets his other speaker delivered:noes:(fuckin retarded!!:rolleyes: , and really sounds like a reputable place where they were purchased:idunno:), I would try the speaker wire way and not use the RCA connection at all...(again trial and error thing:D)

As for the White TV Stand Skiz .... IKEA!!! here we come!!:yahoo:

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I was thinking IKEA as well. I showed the gf one from the website and she liked it. Could it really be that easy? First one I find and she likes it? Feels like a trap. :ph34r:

Those are big speakers. I teetered between my 60s and the 70s and I just did not have room for the larger ones. I think you'll enjoy the sound, though. Will be happy to help with the sub when you get back to tinkering with it. I suspect you'll be pleased with the increase in bass compared to what you've been getting- especially if the sub has not been engaging.

If for some reason I don't catch your questions, feel free to grab my attention with a PM.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiz

I was thinking IKEA as well. I showed the gf one from the website and she liked it. Could it really be that easy? First one I find and she likes it? Feels like a trap. :ph34r:

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Really the only place i could think of for a reasonably priced good looking white cabinet/unit:D, most places have wood or wood colors (solid wood, particle board or printed wood:noes:), unless you go to a real fancy furniture store and pay through the nose for a white cabinet:cry:

Plus.. It is fun to walk around IKEA and see what else they got:D, let the better half buy a few more things and you might get lucky that night Skiz:naughty:
I buy a few things there and it may not be the best quality, but it does look good once you figure out how to build the dam things:lol:

PS. They have a cordless drill set made for building there crap (the middle one i bought), it works pretty good:D, and for odd jobs around the house:D
Plus... You do know that Best Buy does price match and give 10% of the difference?? Even Internet pricing... I have used Newegg site for that:yup:..
For high end cables and stuff i go to a whole seller(plus they make custom cables if you need them), but for smaller stuff i go to a place called "Canada Computers", not sure what you guys have there to compare:idunno:

I see you are a big fan on buying things online:D, i prefer not too unless it is the only place i can get what i am looking for, It would be my last resort for purchasing electronics..I like to see what i am buying and know if there is a problem it goes back in my truck , and replaced:)

Good luck Skiz:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiz

Haven't tinkered with the sub any further. I'll just see how things go once everything is hooked up and go from there.

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:thumbsup: :clap: :clap: :thumbsup:

Been getting super frustrated with setting up some basics.


Question 1:
Sub "auto-on" still doesn't function correctly. It never turns on by itself regardless of what I'm watching. BluRay, Roku, TV, anything at all. I have to go turn it to the "On" position to get anything from it at all, at which time it seems to work just fine. Why is this? It's connected to the receiver via RCA cables to the receivers "subwoofer pre-out" port. I've tried a different RCA cable and I've tried playing different types of audio.


Question 2: Is the sub supposed to kick on with music playing bc I can't figure out how to get it to turn work at all when playing music from my iPhone. I'm using a 3.5mm (from iPhone) to RCA and plugging that RCA connection into the "Audio 1" port in the back of the receiver. Right now everything just plays through the 75T front towers.


Question 3: Speaking of the 75T towers...um... they suck. Unless I'm doing something wrong. Everywhere I read people are talking about the deep bass, but I'm not getting anything I would consider remotely in the ballpark of "deep bass". From 1-10 they're like a 3. The 45B's I had plugged in before buying these have more bass. I've checked the on-screen setup for the Yamaha receiver and I believe I have everything setup correctly. I have the sub enabled. The "front" speakers are set to "Large" (choices are large and small). I've tinkered with the crossover setting and turned it up to around 80-100, but anything higher than that starts to make everything sound really bad. I had high expectations for these from reading 5-star reviews on essentially every website imaginable but they've been nothing but a pile of disappointment from my end.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiz

Been getting super frustrated with setting up some basics.


Question 1:
Sub "auto-on" still doesn't function correctly. It never turns on by itself regardless of what I'm watching. BluRay, Roku, TV, anything at all. I have to go turn it to the "On" position to get anything from it at all, at which time it seems to work just fine. Why is this? It's connected to the receiver via RCA cables to the receivers "subwoofer pre-out" port. I've tried a different RCA cable and I've tried playing different types of audio.


Question 2: Is the sub supposed to kick on with music playing bc I can't figure out how to get it to turn work at all when playing music from my iPhone. I'm using a 3.5mm (from iPhone) to RCA and plugging that RCA connection into the "Audio 1" port in the back of the receiver. Right now everything just plays through the 75T front towers.


Question 3: Speaking of the 75T towers...um... they suck. Unless I'm doing something wrong. Everywhere I read people are talking about the deep bass, but I'm not getting anything I would consider remotely in the ballpark of "deep bass". From 1-10 they're like a 3. The 45B's I had plugged in before buying these have more bass. I've checked the on-screen setup for the Yamaha receiver and I believe I have everything setup correctly. I have the sub enabled. The "front" speakers are set to "Large" (choices are large and small). I've tinkered with the crossover setting and turned it up to around 80-100, but anything higher than that starts to make everything sound really bad. I had high expectations for these from reading 5-star reviews on essentially every website imaginable but they've been nothing but a pile of disappointment from my end.

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Ok Skiz...Patience and i will try to go through this step by step if you want??:D (and you have connected all 5 speakers, don't care where you have positioned them at this point just make sure you have done that k (plus sub)... And do the Fuzz test (static test that sound is coming through all the speakers(each separate channel k), this is important :yup:)

What is the mode/setting on the Amp Reading?? (what movie show are you testing it with and what format is it?? MKV AVI MP4???)
The switch/toggle on the back of the Sub you always should have it in the "on" position k
Lets start with these questions :D

PS. If Meg is using them they are good Skiz, so something in the settings on the Amp or format you are watching is not decoding right..
Be it HDMI connection or may need to use Optical connection to correct the issue.....
Patience my friend and it will get solved.... (If Meg or myself was there in person it is a bit easier :D), plus to speed up things if you have any spare speaker wire around have that ready k:D

Regards
Shay

I suspect the bass is being bypassed FROM the 75's. Take the sub out of the equation for now. We can add it back in later. Right now, they are being treated like bookshelf speakers. Let's run them full range, then reinforce the bottom end by running the sub separate (later).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

I suspect the bass is being bypassed FROM the 75's. Take the sub out of the equation for now. We can add it back in later. Right now, they are being treated like bookshelf speakers. Let's run them full range, then reinforce the bottom end by running the sub separate (later).

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which means turn the settings to front speakers "large" on the Amp and turn the Sub off as well??

That is what you are asking Skiz to do right??:D

If not?? Try to explain in details:D

Even doing that Meg it makes the Bass (Boom Boom) directional, not the same as running a sub:D
But for test purposes.... Sure why not:D

Being honest... I would like a yes or no answer to the speaker connection test before anything else...(make sure all the channels are working and no wires are crossed or touching:idunno:, not sure if the amp he has shuts down automatically for that...??).
Plus what he is using to test the sound?? eg. Blu-ray, streaming box, cable etc. and what format??
Easy questions to answer :D
Plus going from the TV .... did he change the settings that he is using an outside sound source not the TV itself??

Try what you said first then sound test on all speaker channels :D

PS. did you check your sub connections Meg?? And not having the problem in front of you can be a pain in the ass!!!!

I'm addressing his concern for lack of bass in the 75's. Since the sub is on the small side anyway, it won't hurt to run the fronts full-range, then send the full signal to the sub. We want to bypass all of the crossovers in the way of the Polks. I would unplug the sub completely from the system for now. No RCA cables; nothing connected. Front channels set to full range/large. Internal (on the receiver) frequency cutoffs disabled.

I agree that doing the 'all channels' test is important. As well as having a good source, but I suspect skiz would have picked something with bass to test his sub. There are some good system test dvds that can be downloaded for setup purposes. One of those is certainly recommended here. They have tests for various frequency ranges, channel tests, as well as sub setup.

Also, putting a sub in a corner will reinforce its sound greatly. Placement really helps.

Are the speaker connections bi-wired? If so, make sure (since you are only running one set of leads) the proper shunts are across the set of four screws in the back of the 75's. This could be why nothing is getting to the low end.

But I do think it is best to get the 75's running properly before adding in the complexity of the other channels. Turn it to 2-channel, with nothing interfering.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by megabyteme

I'm addressing his concern for lack of bass in the 75's. Since the sub is on the small side anyway, it won't hurt to run the fronts full-range, then send the full signal to the sub. We want to bypass all of the crossovers in the way of the Polks. I would unplug the sub completely from the system for now. No RCA cables; nothing connected. Front channels set to full range/large. Internal (on the receiver) frequency cutoffs disabled.

I agree that doing the 'all channels' test is important. As well as having a good source, but I suspect skiz would have picked something with bass to test his sub. There are some good system test dvds that can be downloaded for setup purposes. One of those is certainly recommended here. They have tests for various frequency ranges, channel tests, as well as sub setup.
Also, putting a sub in a corner will reinforce its sound greatly. Placement really helps.

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The sub being a non directional sound does not have to be placed in a corner and that my cause vibrations from the wall stud or door, but trial and error sure why not:D

As for test dvd's/Blu-rays and stuff?? Who cares at this point?? Getting all the speakers working first would take priority over that..
The Amp has a speaker test on it to test the channels that is first priority in my opinion and the settings for sound quality after.
As for testing for bass sound?? Settings on the amp can fix that and depending what he is broadcasting and what format (True Dolby or Pro Logic etc.) is going to change the reactions of the speaker sound and where the sound is directed (eg. i test with certain movies to test sound once i know the speakers are connected and each channel is recognized if that makes sense?? Blade BD rip is really good!!:D or give him a suggestion and on proper formatted copy/original as well )....

Your idea of removing the sub to test the bass and sound of his front speakers is fine but not the solution for getting the sound to come out of the fronts , if you understand what i am saying...

The settings on the amp and what signals he is sending will change all of that and that should be mentioned, that is all i am saying:D
Meg... You know the speakers are good sound wise and i trust your judgement/opinion, so trying to prove that is not needed, but getting all the speakers working and then adjusting the sound quality is a better solution to me, small sub or not:D, plus that is what he owns now:D

I think it is enough for my help being i want everything connected properly before i worry about what sound quality is coming out of them or even placement??

Good Luck Meg...

Regards
Shay

Make sure it looks something like this on the back of your speakers:

http://i.imgur.com/NHn3wGJ.jpg

Or there could be metal bars between. this is also fine. Just make sure there is something pairing the posts.

http://i.imgur.com/7C7eFTg.jpg?1

I don't think that amp has Bi-Wire connections/capable :noes: (If those speakers do?? make sure he didn't take the plates off or he did put them on :D Good call Meg!!:D)

Now what?? how do you connect the speakers to the Amp Meg??:D Use top connections or Bottom ??:idunno:

Maybe drop buy radio shack /the source for some banana plugs:unsure:

Attachment 165608

Attachment 165616

Attachment 165618

Eazy Peazy Lemon Squeezy :D

Skiz.... If they didn't ship with those plates on, they should be in the box:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PCkvCPvDXk

Good Tester :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udn51qJwDvY&list=RDUdn51qJwDvY#t=36

K. Thats a lot to take in and respond to so I'll go briefly bit by bit.

The YPAO test appears to skip right past the sub, and then disable it. I've found it disabled in the on-screen menu. After enabling it I thought that was all I needed to do. But today I found that it was also turned the "level" way down as well. I've put that back to 1 db and that has helped tremendously in that I now have bass coming from there to help round things out.

If I disconnect the sub altogether I can't set the speakers to large, only to small. If I connect or enable the sub again I can toggle back and forth between large and small again.

I have tested several sounds types. Television, Netflix movies (5.1), Vevo music videos (5.1), analog audio via iPhone (3.5mm)...

The brackets/shunts are still there and being used. Everything snugged down well.

I suspect that you are not getting the full-range out of those 75's still. It is, of course, best to have them designated as 'large', but if you are still disappointed in their bass output, at least see how they do with the sub disconnected. With that many moderate sized drivers, there really has to be decent bass response- also, that is why the case is so large, massive movement of air (assuming proper amplification, those drivers work together to create a larger one).

Something in the stereo system (this could be the receiver itself, a setting which cuts off bass from the fronts to have that sent to the sub, the subwoofer crossover cutting out the lower frequencies- if the fronts are wired in after it in the chain, biwiring- which you have ruled out) is taking those low end frequencies from your 75's.

Part of the 5.1 system is to send all the bass to the subwoofer (that is the .1 designation). It should also be possible to get the 75's to run full range AND have bass coming from the sub. If you are unhappy with the bass, this is what we should shoot for. This is what I'd favor because otherwise, you are not getting everything out of those 75's you can.

Meg is right Skiz......:D

Do some reading here....

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=179508

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-rec...nvironment.htm

http://www.tomsguide.com/answers/id-...-receiver.html

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/113-su...nd-my-sub.html

The YPAO test makes wrong settings.... Manual settings are needed to get better quality sound:D


Also if your speaker wires are coded for + and - connections(a line or something to distinguish between them) to the amp that will help as well (follow the wires from speaker to amp)...

And make sure the toggle switch on the sub is on and read more on that high low switch as well:D

And by the sounds of it you are running HDMI cable from TV to Amp (run that into a video in not out )
now the TV settings have to be set to recognize the amp only if that makes sense Skiz:D

And No Cable/Sat box or media box ?? That will change the TV HDMI to Out......
And if there is Optical or Coax connections on those, sometimes separating the HDMI for Video only, may clean up the sound quality as well:D

Sorry but more trial and error Skiz:D

EDIT!!PS. Skiz.... Sometimes a good place to look for tips is AVS forums:D, kind of like Reddit for audio video stuff:D

Basically an MBM is kind of a crutch between a decent sub and mains that are a bit lacking.

Fuckloads of tinkering. Seems like things are working now. I've said fuck the auto-on feature on the sub and I just leave it on all the time now. Not sure exactly what the problems were or even what I did to fix them, but all the fiddling I've over the past few weeks has seems to slowly get it all in line. Watched Straight Outta Compton last night and was pretty much like this the entire time. :01:

All the outlets in the basement are for some reason set at mid-wall, 4 feet high. Thus the plugs that needed to go in were going to cause problems for the TV to lay flat. Put one of these monstrosities in the wall. Had to cut a fucking 8.5" x 5.5" hole in the wall. After some modifications to it for the surge protector and HDMI to fit through, all worked well. Put in an oversized version of this down low to feed everything up from.

Center channel plugged in but with the gf in bed I haven't tested yet.

Final product:

TV:
VIZIO 65" M65-C1, 4K Smart TV

Receiver:
Yamaha RX-V375

Speakers:
Polk Monitor 75T tower x 2
Polk PSW10 sub
Polk Center channel CS2 Series II
(Polk 45B x 2...not yet connected)

Media:
Zotac ZBox HD-ND22-U
Roku 3

Got the tv stand from IKEA. It's designed to have 3 slots/3 drawers, but I left out the middle drawer to make room for the receiver and took the shelf that would have gone above the drawer, and glued it in the bottom for the receiver to sit on.

Messy pic:

Spoiler: Show

Attachment 166226

Thanks for all the help! :kiss:

Looks Great Skiz :D (Nice TV pistol Pete!!!!:happy:)

I am glad everything worked out finally :D

Hope you had fun in Ikea:lol:(nice stand)

PS. you could move the sub over a bit or away from the left tower speaker(where you have the short stack of boxes:D), and Put in the first Blade movie and see how that sounds:yup:

Enjoy and congrats on the house as well:D

Regards
Shay