subwoofer dilemma

December 5, 2007 6:44 PM

Home audio dilemma regarding an optical input for iTunes and subwoofer...

I just connected an Airport Express base station to my Denon AV receiver, via the optical input. I have great sound through the main speakers (R and L) but am not able to discern any significant activity in the subwoofer. Am I deluded in thinking I should be able to direct the deeper bass from my iTunes music to the sub?

posted by docpops to Technology (5 answers total)

You probably just need to go into Setup on your Denon and tell it that your front speakers are Small. (rather than Large).

Are you getting subwoofer output from anything else?
posted by Malor at 6:51 PM on December 5, 2007

Response by poster: Yes - the sub kicks in fine for my cable and dvd's, which input via HDMI.
posted by docpops at 6:52 PM on December 5, 2007

Best answer: Ok, HDMI is multichannel, so I assume that your Denon isn't doing the crossover work for those... the upstream devices are breaking the signal into its separate components before it even gets to the Denon.

Check your Denon's setup and make sure your front speakers are set Small, and I think your sub will come to life for the Airport Express.
posted by Malor at 6:56 PM on December 5, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks - I'll get on it and see.
posted by docpops at 6:57 PM on December 5, 2007

Response by poster: I think that did it. I should not have tried this before the kids were in bed.

Thank-you.
posted by docpops at 7:08 PM on December 5, 2007