Hi everyone. I have a few questions about this receiver which I just purchased. My first question is about the bass output in normal stereo mode. I don't have an external subwoofer right now, nor can I afford one, so I'm sending all the signal to my mains (Polk Audio RT-25i's). While these are bookshelf speakers, I also know what kind of bass they can reproduce. My problem is that even with the speaker levels adjusted up, the subwoofer set to 'off', and the bass knob cranked all the way to the right, I'm still only getting negligible bass out of the receiver. In fact, my 7 year old 30 watt/channel JVC bookshelf receiver that the Onkyo is replacing could output WAY more bass than my Onkyo!!! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this? Does the next step up (the Onkyo 595) have an equalizer that I can fiddle with to get a better output? Is the extra money for the 595 worth it?

My next question is about video source switching. I just found out that even when I have the s-video out going to my television, only signals going into the receiver as s-video will get passed. Meaning that my composite VCR signal doesn't get routed out through the s-video (don't ask me why I thought it would, it just got stuck in my head that way....). Anyways, is there a way to convert a composite video cable into an s-video so that I can have everything sent out of the receiver through the s-video jack? If not, well, the back of ny TV is pretty packed, but i suppose I could figure out something... Just curious if I could convert the signal somehow...

Thanks for any help in advance, let me know if you all need any other info.

-Matt Cook

The problem is that the 484 and now the 494 have always had very low bass response. THat is really the only major problem with the unit. I used to work in the audio department at CC and that was the only complaint I ever heard on that unit. Unfortunately there is no way to get bass out of the unit without a seperate powered sub that I know of.

As far as the problem with the S-vid that is a common misconception. There are adapter that convert a video composite cord into a S-vid, but cc doesn't sell them. I would try radio shack for something like that.

Thanks for the quick response, Surge. I'd have to say the low bass response is the only thing I really dislike about this unit, and I'm seriously considering plunking down the extra $150 or so to get the 595. How is the bass response on that unit, do you know?

I'll have to look at the radioshack catalog again, but I didn't find a converter before... However, since I'm thinking of the 595... I just downloaded the manual for the 595 from the Onkyo site, and on page 13 it says "You do not need to connect to both the MONITOR OUT S VIDEO and MONITOR OUT VIDEO terminals." Those who own or have used the 595, is this true? Does the 595 output composite video inputs out through the s-video monitor out?

I dont know about the video problem, the manual should answer that question. If not, call their tech support.

For the low bass response:

In the speaker setup of your receiver, try setting the mains to "large" or "big". This will enable the receiver to output lower frequencies to the speakers, resulting in more bass.

The only downside to this is that the speakers may not be capable of handling this bass, so I would test it at very low volume so not to blow a speaker. Otherwise, Im afraid it's just the receiver. Good luck.

Do what nizzo said. I have an Onkyo 575 and bass is ok at that setting through thr fronts.

Ok, thanks everyone. Unfortunately the 494 doesn't have an option to change the size setting of the speakers, so it's just a downfall of the 494. I am now seriously considering getting the 595 instead, which does have the size settings. I have a feeling the 595 will be much more to my liking.

Anyone know about the video switching between composite input and the s-vid output on the 595?

According to the people I have talked to, the 595 only does composite and s-video selecting. This means that any composite sources must be connected to your TV via composite, while S-Video requires a second connection (or just hook your sources directly, without going through the receiver).

If you want a receiver that will convert composite sources, like that old VCR that you still use on occasion, into S-Video so you can get better pictures from your DVD, you will need to step up to a higher-end unit. Onkyo does make the 696 with this capability, which you will tend to find only in expensive units. The 696 also has a backlit learning remote and component connections along with other features. There may be others in the price range, but I don't know for sure. Personally, I was going to order the 595 until I found out about the composite/s-video conversion; now I am getting the 696 instead.

Hope this helps!