Panasonic Kelton Subwoofer vibrating

gebbel · 11-11-2009, 3:00 PM

I recently purchased a Panasonic SC-BT205 Blu Ray Home Cinema system which incorporates a Kelton Sub. While the system itself is class, I am a little concerned about vibrations that come from the sub when outputting higher levels of bass, if I can put it that way. I have tried putting some weight on it, which has a small effect. Holding the sub firmly at the sides also reduces this annoyance...but surely that implies a possible manufacturing defect?
Should I raise the issue with Panasonic?
Thanks in advance.

softsorter · 11-11-2009, 4:59 PM

what sort of levels of bass are you driving it at ? i bought like you a all in one surround sound system mine was by yamaha and the subs that come with the consumer range are not that powerful and if driven hard sound all boomboom and not clean base. I know your all in one system is not down at the cheaper end of the range but it makes me wonder if they compromised on the sub?

I have a BK 200 on order to overcome my bass short fall.

**IronGiant** · 11-11-2009, 6:11 PM

My concern would be that with all the bells and whistles the blu-ray player and amp have that there may have not been quite enough money left over to give you the performance sub you were hoping for. Does it sound bad/rattle or is your concern over it moving/cabinet flexing?

Dave

gebbel · 12-11-2009, 1:15 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I am not driving the bass too hard. At the moment, all I am watching is Battlestar Galactica on Blu Ray. The opening scene on every episode has some deep bass that always triggers this vibration effect. It's not that i have the system turned up to the max...far from it. I have placed a magazine under the sub to see if that eliminates it..but it doesn't. Like I said, if I lift the sub up and hold it tightly, these vibrations are drastically reduced, if not fully eliminated. I am not 100% comfortable with this, and to me it's like it was not assembled together as tight and compact as it should.

I should also say the sub is placed on a tile floor so the vibrations are not emanating from a cabinet or shelf etc. It is definitely the sub. Should any sub ever vibrate like this?

I am going to let Panasonic know and see what they say. It's a bit of a shame because it is an otherwise flawless bit of kit, with amazing blu-ray transfer so I am going to persist with it.

softsorter · 12-11-2009, 1:42 AM

Give panasonic a call and see what there view is? I think by lifting up your sub and holding it tightly you may in effect may be damping it? does your amp have audyssey eq on it? as even at low listening levels you could still be producing quite a bit of bass.

Do you in your amp have adjustments for sub db adjustment as well a level adjustment on the back of your sub? if so have you backed the db down in the amp and tried on the sub's level adjustment. not familiar with your setup ? does it have crossover/sub db/speaker F/R db

gebbel · 12-11-2009, 3:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by softsorter

Give panasonic a call and see what there view is? I think by lifting up your sub and holding it tightly you may in effect may be damping it? does your amp have audyssey eq on it? as even at low listening levels you could still be producing quite a bit of bass.

Do you in your amp have adjustments for sub db adjustment as well a level adjustment on the back of your sub? if so have you backed the db down in the amp and tried on the sub's level adjustment. not familiar with your setup ? does it have crossover/sub db/speaker F/R db

As far as I know, it does not have Audyssey. No adjustments can be made at the back of the sub, but now that you mention it, I think the sub level can be controlled via the main unit. But, even if it can, turning the sub down surely would only deflect from the main issue here?

stuman · 12-11-2009, 10:15 AM

the sub that panasonic include with that unit is pants.

the one we had in shop when pushed would distort and rattle. the fact that they use 1/2" chipboard is one of the clear indicators that it is not a manufacturing fault.

that being said, out of the box the sub is far to high on gain. i cant remember the menu it was in but there was a quick setting for SW level, i tok it from 3 down to 1. sounded much better. MUCH better.

gebbel · 12-11-2009, 2:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuman

the sub that panasonic include with that unit is pants.

the one we had in shop when pushed would distort and rattle. the fact that they use 1/2" chipboard is one of the clear indicators that it is not a manufacturing fault.

that being said, out of the box the sub is far to high on gain. i cant remember the menu it was in but there was a quick setting for SW level, i tok it from 3 down to 1. sounded much better. MUCH better.

Many thanks for the tip. Will try it and report back.

I am also wondering why the chipboard is exposed on one side and not encased? I was beginning to think this was a blatant manufacturing defect?

stuman · 12-11-2009, 2:32 PM

cost cutting. if it saves 3p per unit over a million or so units thats a fair bit of money.

softsorter · 12-11-2009, 2:50 PM

My mate has a all in one LG system like that one side is all plain chip board, which kind of says a lot about the sub i suppose

gebbel · 12-11-2009, 8:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuman

that being said, out of the box the sub is far to high on gain. i cant remember the menu it was in but there was a quick setting for SW level, i tok it from 3 down to 1. sounded much better. MUCH better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gebbel

Many thanks for the tip. Will try it and report back.

I am happy and relieved to report that the above suggestion from Stuman has completely rectified the situation. I should have read the manual. The Sub was set at 4, which is maximum. I reduced it to 3, and that is enough to stop the vibration. I can relax now. Phew!

Many many thanks.