This sounds very similar to what I am seeing.  I've posted and talked to tech support about it as well.  This is the 3rd or 4th post I've seen on this issue with the 8D.  I've seen it with other receivers (mine is an 805 though too) and other speaker combinations so I'm starting to believe there is an issue with the 8D.

I've also started running into problems when trying to get around this problem by setting the 8D to "On".  If I set it to "On" from "Auto" but it's currently not producing sound then it will never produce any.  If I set it to "On" when it's been kicked on in "Auto" mode then everything is OK.  Maybe this is unrelated but there appear to be some issues here.

Bryan

imbng:

This sounds very similar to what I am seeing.  I've posted and talked to tech support about it as well.  This is the 3rd or 4th post I've seen on this issue with the 8D.  I've seen it with other receivers (mine is an 805 though too) and other speaker combinations so I'm starting to believe there is an issue with the 8D.

I've also started running into problems when trying to get around this problem by setting the 8D to "On".  If I set it to "On" from "Auto" but it's currently not producing sound then it will never produce any.  If I set it to "On" when it's been kicked on in "Auto" mode then everything is OK.  Maybe this is unrelated but there appear to be some issues here.

Bryan

This is troubling, especially since I just ordered one.  The CNET review did not mention anything about this however!

Cheers

Hey Guys,

 The issue that you are having right now is not related to your Onkyo 805 receivers. This issue is probably a blend of Audyssey EQ settings, manually adjusted settings and the input sensitivity of the Bravus subwoofer.

The Bravus sub's input sensitivity is fairly low. Meaning, it likes to see a good bit of voltage before it decides to turn on and if it doesn't keep seeing that voltage, it will turn off

 If it makes you feel better about all of this, I owned various Intimus subwoofers before getting a Bravus set up at my house. In the 3 years or so of using the Intimus subs, the setup was straightforward and relatively easy. I got my Bravus and, as I expected, I needed to make some adjustments. I did not, however, think that it would take some 3 weeks to really get things where I was happy with them. Now that I've got it all dialed in, I'm in heaven.

Here's an example of the change that was made. I own an Onkyo receiver as well. With my Intimus subs, 633-T/634-VAC/524SS combo, my receiver settings looked like this:

Front L: +7, Center: +8, Front R: +7, SR: +4, SR: +5 SUB: 0  (or -1 or -2 depending on what I was watching/listening to)

I added in the Bravus and began a whirlwind of re-calibrations. Here's where I have ended up:

Front L: -6, Center: -5, Front R: -6, SR: -9, SL: -8 SUB : 0  (or +1 or +2, depending on the material)

What's happened here is I've effectively reduced the output to all of the channels except the subwoofer. Bear in mind that these numbers represent a balance amongst the channel levels. The center channel needs to be a little bit louder relative to the front channels. The surrounds are closer so they don't need to be AS loud etc. etc.. However, all of these settings are slave to one thing: Your Volume Control.

By reducing all of the channel outputs (with the exception of the sub) I've effectively reduced the ratio of amplified output to line level output on the receiver. Now that I've done that, "60" isn't going to be a high enough volume setting for me. I'll now need to turn it up to about 70 or 73. When I do that though, I'm sending WAAAAY more signal to the sub and, guess what? It LOVES it. No popping in and out, no noise floor... just perfect.

Some may now be confused. You read all of this stuff about "reference level" and how your receivers' volume numbers are supposed to mean something relative to reference level. Umm... yeah... Have you actually heard what "reference level" sounds like in the average sized living room? It's painful. No one wants to listen at reference level unless they are in a reference room.

Now that I'm using in-walls and a smaller center channel (I know.. I know... that's another post) I've had to make some further adjustments because the in-walls aren't quite as sensitive as the 633-T were. I have to send them a little more signal do I bumped each of the affected channels by 3db, maintained my balance and everything sounds fantastic.

Now.. my hope here is not to troubleshoot subwoofer issues. There may be other factors at play but this is not the place to try to figure them out. That's what our phone number and live chat links are for. If you try my suggested adjustments and continue to have problems then please call us. We'll sort them out. We always do!

Great post Caleb. I too adjusted everything into "-" leaving the sub at zero. Jack Gates had actually recommended that a while back for 805 owners. I have done this by ear, and most of my levels are quite similar to yours, except my rears are a bit higher, as they are further back than ideal position. I used a CD on all channel stereo to test my levels, and I feel surrounded by it all. Another thing about going into the "+" range is that it limits your maximum volume.

One of these days I will pull out the SPL meter you guys sent me to see how close I am.

Scottiemon,

Are you feeling the bubble of sound? Are you feeling it? :)  I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Use that SPL meter...You'd be suprised how far off the ear can be.

I am sure you are probably right about the SPL. One of the reasons I have not gotten around to it is because I can hear all 5 speakers at the same time when I have all channel stereo on. It probably could be a bit better, but my guess is that it will not be that much better.

I will report back when I do it.

I do love the Onkyo sound! Bubble of sound is not quite what I would use to describe it tho. I think of it as "enveloping" sound. I become one with the 5.1.

We are strange birds, aren't we?

OT: how many dayum posts does it take to become a "Super Audio Geek"? Who did you pay off Dan?

Enveloping works for me...Something I could not get with my Yamaha anyway. I am a fan of all channel stereo to.  It rocks! I' m thinking once you use the SPL you will enjoy all channel stereo even more.  it just seems like everything is placed so precisely in all channel.  from the vocals in front of you to the insturments placed perfectly around you. Awesome!  The sub integrates really well to!  

refresh my memory, do you have an SR805???  I'm saving up to get one.  Gonna sell my Yamaha on Ebay then get the rest from bowling money...It's either that or switch my 5Bs with 5T's...Not decided yet, but at least I can still save while I think about it.

 Wow..didn't realize I reached super audio geek status...You're getting pretty close though...Just need to be a bit more bubbly.

I do indeed have the 805. You will love it man. I have to admit though, at times I wished I got the 875 instead, due to the increased video capabilities. But I will manage to "suffer" through it.

I use all channel in two instances. I love it for music and concert DVSs. I also use it when I am at the dinner table, which is right below the surround speakers. Even if something is in 5.1, it sounds better in all channel then.

I too bowl. Average about 175. I haven't bowled on a league in years though. I am hoping to get back into it in the fall.

Yeah..I definately need want to upgrade.  My HTR 550 has HDMI but doesn't allow audio passthrough just video.  Therefore, I don't get the HD lossless audio formats. The yamaha I have does do lossles audio but I don't like the way the Yammy sounds...Ugh...So, I'm thinking either upgrade to the SR605 just for the lossless audio or wait a bit longer for the SR805...they should get even cheaper when the 806's come out...

Yeah, all channel stereo makes the bookshelve systems come to life...I'm thinking if I had a pair of 6T's I might enjoy 2 channel stereo more...Ah well.

Thanks for the detailed response Caleb.  I played with it more last night and when I cranked the volume the problem did not occur but still occurs when listening to audio at normal levels.  I guess I want my cake and eat it too.  I want the bass at normal listening levels and not too overbearing when I (i.e. the wife lets me) crank it up.  I'll call support to see what can be done.

But I want to be clear, the sub and speakers sound great!  When I do crank it up I am amazed at how loud I could get it and the sound is still crisp and clear, and at normal listening levels all the details all come through too.  And the sub performs beautifully when on.  The sound it produces is amazing.  So I'm happy with the system (very happy actually) I just want to make sure it's all working as it should.

As for the 805 the only minor annoyance I find with it is there is no OSD over HDMI.  I can understand why they did this but it's still somewhat annoying.  Mine is in a closet so that makes it difficult to know what's going on but I can live with it especially since it performs so well.  This may not be a big deal to most but it's worth noting.

Bryan

Hey Bryan,

 I'm having my cake and eating it... you should too. It's freakin' great cake!

Your sub should be fine and active at lower listening levels. Methinks that digging into your 805 a bit more would help things out. Give us a call when you can sit with your equipment while on the phone with us.

Oh... and are you sure about the no OSD via HDMI thing? I'm pretty sure that is something that needs to be turned on but, once activated, should work well for you. The software in the 805 and 875 are about the same so I keep thinking you should be getting OSD. I'll have to look. OR Scottiemon... what's your experience with OSD via HDMI?

CD

Yes, sorry, I should have been more clear.  I meant the overlay doesn't work.  OSD configuration over HDMI is just fine.

Thanks Caleb, I'll be giving a call sometime soon.

Bryan

First post, as I am a new owner, but I wanted to report that I am having similar problems with the 8D not "waking up" when I think it should be.  I have a Yamaha 663, and the sub is connected via a single RCA from the sub pre-out on the receiver to the LFE in on the 8D.  I've read somewhere (probably AVS forum) that perhaps splitting the signal at the sub and connecting to the L/R inputs on the sub will effectively "double" the input from the receiver.  What is the consensus with that theory with respect to helping with the auto-on?  Fact or fiction?