Subwoofer preout and bass

It seems like you've tried various connections and settings to get your JBL135 subwoofer working with your Kenwood receiver, but you're still facing issues. Let's break down the situation and provide some recommendations:

1. Subwoofer Connection:
   • Using the LFE/Subwoofer Out: This is the preferred method for connecting a subwoofer. Ensure that the cable is firmly connected to both the subwoofer's LFE input and the receiver's Subwoofer Out port. Make sure you have enabled the subwoofer output in the receiver's settings menu.
2. Subwoofer Settings:
   • Gain: Adjust the gain knob on the subwoofer to achieve the desired bass level. Experiment with different settings to find the right balance.
   • Crossover: Set the crossover frequency on the subwoofer to blend with your tower speakers. Start with a conservative setting, such as 80Hz, and adjust as needed.
3. Receiver Settings:
   • Speaker Configuration: Set your tower speakers to "Small" in the receiver's settings menu to redirect bass frequencies to the subwoofer. This ensures that the tower speakers are not trying to reproduce deep bass.
   • Bass Management: Enable the appropriate bass management settings in the receiver's menu, which typically includes crossover frequency and speaker size adjustments.
4. Check Subwoofer Cable and Port:
   • Ensure that the subwoofer cable is in good condition and securely connected to both the subwoofer and receiver.
   • Try using a different cable or testing the subwoofer with another receiver if possible to rule out cable or port issues.
5. Factory Reset:
   • If you've exhausted all troubleshooting steps, you may consider performing a factory reset on your Kenwood receiver. This will reset all settings to their default values, potentially resolving any configuration issues.

If none of the above suggestions work, it's advisable to consult the user manual for your specific Kenwood receiver model or contact Kenwood customer support for further assistance. They can provide more detailed guidance based on your equipment and setup.

You plug a subwoofer RCA cable into the Subwoofer Preout from the back of the VSX-D510 and to the input on the back of the subwoofer. If there is a red / white connection don't sweat it, just use the red. Should work fine.

Should be an rca connector on the back of the receiver marked subwoofer or sub preout. connect that to the rca connector on the sub and it should be good to go.

I would consult your owner's manual but I don't think you can adjust the bass/treble levels on the zone 2 outputs.

Yes

Get an RCA Y-adapter to feed both INputs on the sub. Define the sub in the Denon and set your other speaker settings as required to redirect the bass/LFE if they can't handle it.

You don't say if you've configured the Receiver to know you have a subwoofer (under Multicontrol - SUBW YES). Unless it knows about the Sub it won't send anything out that single "preout". You can get an RCA splitter to run that single output to both inputs in the Sub.

Just as an experiment, temporarily run one a pair of cables from the REC OUT to the Sub's inputs and tune an FM station to prove the Sub amplifier is alive. If it's still silent, it's dead. If there is sound (muffled) you need to go back to the Receiver to figure out why the Sub Preout is signal-starved.

First, you have to have a self-powered subwoofer (or two) with this reciver. That means the sub has its own amplifier. These are usually capable of accepting either Line Level (RCA) input or direct L and R amplifier channel speaker wires from your receiver from which it will react only to frequencies in its range. It doesn't actually use any if the power from your receiver's amp.

That is why you can extend your front speakers from the sub. Again, understand this - it is not playing any part in amplifying them. The amps in your receiver are just passing through it.

Setting your speaker 'Type' definition to Large will tell your receiver that they are capable of real bass (as opposed to small satellites) but won't necessarily steal anything from the subs. Set your LFE/Bass Out setting to Both if your front speakers are capable of handling real bass. Why would you want to deny them bass if they can handle it?

This part is confusing "If I can get the sub working on taking the lows out of the front speakers if I set them to large on the receiver then that is one thing less to send to the other sub on the LFE channel". The crossover feature allows you to define what bass goes to the sub. You would use the various points to smooth out the transition between your sub and the rest. Your quote of 47hz spec for something doesn't suggest your other speakers are great bass reproducers. One needs to see the +- db spec with less than x% distortion for that number make any sense.

Your receiver has two RCA Subwoofer Outputs but I'm sure they get the exact same level. If you're having trouble matching two different subs doesn't at least one of them have an adjustment for volume? Or maybe you could use physical positioning to adjust their comparative volume.

I added the subwoofer wires to the right and left front speakers.

The problem was that some subwoofers (inluding my velodyne model) cannot process the LFE signals through the line level inputs on its amps, so the other way to run your subwoofer is to run the front left and right speaker outputs from your receiver to the speaker-level inputs on your sub, and then plug your front and left speakers into the soeaker level outputs on the sub. you have to set the onkyo receiver to "Subwoofer: No". that way the LFE signals are sent through the front speaker channels and you will get the same BASS output as if using the line-level input. O So yes it does require a bit more speaker cable, but it works fine now.