Need help with a Pioneer Elite receiver

[d00df00d]

Specifically, a VSX-84TX Si. It has the ability to re-purpose the surround-back channels to bi-amp the front speakers (along with the regular front speaker channels). Somehow, this option is not working on the receiver I am working with.

The receiver is supposed to send full-range signals to all channels in the bi-amp configuration, so it doesn't matter how the front speakers are hooked up. Currently, the front speaker outputs on the receiver are connected to the low-frequency inputs on the front speakers, and the surround-back outputs are connected to the high-frequency inputs. The problem is that, in this configuration, the front speakers are only playing low-frequency sounds, as if the front channel outputs are working but the re-purposed surround-back channels are not.

I verified that the speakers and wires are connected and working properly by setting the surround-back mode back to "Normal (SB)" (for 7.1 operation) and playing test tones on the surround-back channels with the surround-back outputs still connected to the high-frequency inputs on the front speakers. In this configuration, a test tone on either front channel still produces low-frequency sound from the corresponding front speaker, whereas a test tone on either surround-back channel produces high-frequency sound from the corresponding front speaker. Exactly as it should be. This makes me think that the problem with the bi-amp mode is a configuration issue on the receiver.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Does it make any difference at all if you feed it 2-channel stereo source vs surround sound?

 

[shrooms]

I used to have a 47TX and I remember that I had to go in the speaker setup and there's an option to "bi-amp". Did you select "yes"? If yes, then the two surround amps will go to the fronts. A pair for the highs and a pair for the lows.

 

[shrooms]

Ok, according to the 47TX manual, the surround amps are for the lows and the reg front amps, the highs.

Make sure the AB switch is activated and then select "bi-amp".

 

[dparm]

Weird. My Onkyo just has a single menu option you tick called "Bi-amp". Worked flawlessly on my monitors.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: shrooms
Ok, according to the 47TX manual, the surround amps are for the lows and the reg front amps, the highs.


According to VSX-84TX manual, it makes no difference:

Quote:
Since both front and surround back speaker terminals
output the same audio, it doesn’t matter which set (front
or surround back) is powering which part (High or Low)
of the speaker.

 

[dparm]

That sounds right. There are crossovers in the speaker cabinet to make sure the woofers are not trying to output stuff at 20KHz. You should let the speaker crossover do the work, not the amp.

 

[shrooms]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: shrooms
Ok, according to the 47TX manual, the surround amps are for the lows and the reg front amps, the highs.


According to VSX-84TX manual, it makes no difference:

Quote:
Since both front and surround back speaker terminals
output the same audio, it doesn’t matter which set (front
or surround back) is powering which part (High or Low)
of the speaker.



I understand that. It could be that the bi-amp mode is not activated and/or the AB switch.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Does it make any difference at all if you feed it 2-channel stereo source vs surround sound?


Interesting thought. I haven't tried that. The results I'm reporting are from multi-channel material and test tones from the receiver's configuration interface.

I'm assuming that if the test tones don't yield the right sound, nothing will. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: shrooms
I used to have a 47TX and I remember that I had to go in the speaker setup and there's an option to "bi-amp". Did you select "yes"?

Yes, I did.

 

[shrooms]

What's the latest?

 

[d00df00d]

No change. I tinkered around with it today and the problem persists.

 

[shrooms]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
No change. I tinkered around with it today and the problem persists.


Then, there's a problem with the Pioneer. Is it new? Warranty?

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: shrooms
Then, there's a problem with the Pioneer. Is it new? Warranty?

No and no.

 

[d00df00d]

Minor update.

I had a chance to speak with Pioneer tech support. The fellow I spoke with recommended connecting the speakers as shrooms mentioned, with the front outs for the highs and the surround-back outs for the lows, despite what the manual said. That configuration gave me highs and mids but no lows, again suggesting that the surround-back channels are completely silent in bi-amp mode.

I haven't had a chance to get back with Pioneer; I will try again. In the meantime, any further suggestions are welcome.

 

[Quattro Pete]

At the risk of insulting your intelligence, but are all speakers set to "LARGE"? Just want to make sure that the bass isn't being redirected to a subwoofer...

 

[d00df00d]

Insult? Please. If I had made that stupid a mistake, I would have to thank you for pointing it out.

The problem still happens whether the speakers are set to "LARGE" or "SMALL". I tested it several times.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I'm outta ideas. I can take this POS off your hands. How much do you want for it?

 

[d00df00d]

Well, I spoke with Pioneer earlier. Long story short, they say I should hear a relay click when I switch to bi-amp mode, and I'm not hearing any such thing. If anyone with a similar receiver could confirm or deny, that would be great.

Anyone have a lead on where to get a service manual for this thing? It seems to be completely functional otherwise, but if this is a cheap fix it might be considered.

 

[d00df00d]

QP: Sorry, but it's not mine to sell, and I don't think the owner will want to part with it any time soon.