Set Up of Bose Acoustimass 15 Series II with Sony Receiver

[conradsw]

I've got a Bose Acoustimass 15 Series II speaker system but with an additional rear center speaker to make it a 6.1 system. I am getting ready to set up this system with a new Sony STR-DN1030 receiver. The Bose manual indicates that the speakers should all be set to "LARGE", and that the "crossover value should be set to the lowest number possible, typically 80hz". The Sony receiver enables crossover frequency settings from 40Hz and 200Hz for crossover frequency. Here are my questions: In light of the different opinions that I've seen regarding what "size" I should set my Bose speakers to (some forums say SMALL and others say LARGE), what size would your "experts" recommend for setting these Bose speakers; and should I set the crossover for the speakers to 80hz (the previous "typical" value), or should I set them to some other value -- the lowest crossover rate enabled by the receiver (40hz)?

 

[crossedover]

set to large as the acoustimass module handles the crossover and needs the full range signal sent to it. No sub in the setup so no crossover setting applied to mains in avr.

 

[conradsw]

Thanks so much - part of my dilemma is that I am going to the new system (at least the receiver part of it) because I'm pretty sure that my current receiver has broken down. I have a Sony STR-DN1000 receiver and, as previously mentioned, a Bose Acoustimass 15 Series II speaker system. My home TV source is DirecTV. Within the last couple of months, suddenly, all of our commercials are nearly inaudible. At first, I thought this might be as a result of FCC standards that called for commercials not to rise in volume relative to the normal volume of the programming (but nearly all commercials DRAMATICALLY lowered in volume - like nothing before). And, then, during primetime programming we watched in prime time, the bass through our subwoofer dramatically rises, shaking the walls when our volume would be relatively mild (I've turned all the LFE settings way down, to the point that I have virtually no LFE, but that sort of defeats the purpose). I'm not talking about HD or Blu-Ray movies, but fairly low-key prime time programming like "Castle". I have reached the conclusion that my receiver has gone bad -- and getting ready to go purchase another one. But I'd like a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion just in case. I don't mind plucking down the cash for a new receiver -- but if it's something simple, I can try other options.
Thanks

 

[crossedover]

If it were me I'd sell the bose and use that money for a new speaker set. I've never heard a bose system that has any depth with vocals in a HT, they always sound thin and very localized. Any decent 2.1 or 3.1 setup will be more impressive. Aside from the wife approval factor bose is just a mediocre.

 

[crossedover]

set to large as the acoustimass module handles the crossover and needs the full range signal sent to it. No sub in the setup so no crossover setting applied to mains in avr.

If it were me I'd sell the bose and use that money for a new speaker set. I've never heard a bose system that has any depth with vocals in a HT, they always sound thin and very localized. Any decent 2.1 or 3.1 setup will be more impressive. Aside from the wife approval factor bose is just a mediocre.

To the member who dinged my rep "He didn't asked for tech help, not speaker opinions" (no sig and you meant did not didnt), the op asked about setup, answered, and then i offered advice. To the OP as for second and third opinions, hopefully the genius that dinged me will offer his or her wisdom.

 

[markw]

To OP: Yes, you should set your receiver to "no subwoofer" or whatever it takes. All that is handled by the Bose system. But, you can choose whichever forum or answer you want to believe.

As for determining whether your receive died or not, about he only way to prove it either did or didn't is by trying those speakers with another receiver. ...sorta like Schrodingers cat.

I suggest buying a receiver on credit, trying it, and if it's the speakers. take it back.

And, no. I didn't ding anyone. Just offering another opinion.